https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/08/10/cryptocurrency-and-software-development-how-the-two-mash-up-to-create-major-change/?c=0&s=trending#3611586b1365
Quoting:
"Perhaps less conspicuously present is a fast-growing and highly disruptive software technology called cryptocurrency (registration required), the most notable of which among consumers is bitcoin.(...)
A blockchain or digital contract is simply a software program that acts as an agreement where pre-programmed terms can be written to self-execute and self-enforce. This allows parties to do business together without the need for a middleman such as an attorney and provides a way to vastly reduce the cost of the transaction as well as provide significant savings in time that might normally be spent in the contract negotiation process.(...)
Cryptocurrency exchanges, however, were born out of the very essence of decentralization. Most have well-published APIs that are publicly accessible. A software developer with a computer and internet connection can essentially open an account and interface with this API to perform a number of functions including buying and selling. A more advanced trading program could even analyze patterns across a wide range of cryptocurrencies and employ complex trading strategies such as statistical arbitrage or resolve pricing inefficiencies by utilizing APIs across multiple exchanges."
