Emercoin, a leading digital currency and blockchain platform, has announced that it has begun the process of launching its R&D lab for blockchain technology.

“The focus of the laboratory is multi-faceted and its creation serves as the next step in the evolution of the top blockchain in the World for business and personal use”, Emercoin said.

The lab, to be opened later this year, will aim to facilitate the further development and monetization of Emercoin’s existing blockchain services along with the creation of new synergizing technologies. One of the long term goals of the lab is to allow others in the industry to build robust applications and services on the Emercoin blockchain.

Moreover, the initiative will pave the way for outside investment, new partnerships, satellite offices and global talent acquisition. Emercoin said that that several key projects are already lined up in its development staging area and will begin once the lab is launched.

Earlier this year, Emercoin announced its partnership with Microsoft to become a member of the Azure marketplace and said that it will be delivering their suite of blockchain services into the Azure cloud later this year. Last month, Emercoin also joined forces with OpenLedger, the FinTech platform based on BitShares 2.0 technology, in order to offer new synergies in blockchain-based services.

“The Emercoin Group believes these changes will allow for the continual growth in the company, the underlying currency (EMC) and most importantly the thriving eco-system that is taking form on the Emercoin blockchain”, the release said. “With interest and consumer adoption of the currency increasing, Emercoin is poised to become a world leader in distributed technology solutions.”