Bitshares is an extrapolation of what is known as a prediction market
how so? Bitshares could host a prediction market, but fundamentally it's just a blockchain alternative (DPoS) with embedded features that make it easier to create synthetic financial products using price feeds, pegs, and automated collateral escrow. that's just one of the core embedded feature sets that make Bitshares valuable, but the system is designed to allow all sorts of third party integration. BTS or bitUSD, or a bitPeso, could be used for remittance or merchant payments just like any other crypto...another valuable feature of the system that has nothing to do with prediction markets.