Blockchain is a collective name for distributed, mathematically-protected and chronological digital databases. In theory, this technology has the capacity to alleviate a serious problem: a lack of trust in digital systems. At the same time, a blockchain – in passing or, more often, with forethought – can initiate new business and process models because it provides access to a different way of organising things thanks to the unalterable registration of traceable data without the intervention of a trusted third party. Existing applications range from using crypto currencies as payment methods to recording transactions in supply chains. More transparent, more secure and more efficient.
At the moment, this digital technology proves to be a moving target, on which opinions vary. While one category sees blockchain as the most relevant invention since the world wide web of the internet others view it more as a solution in search of a problem and warn about the hype. In the meantime, there are legion theoretical descriptions as well as different types of blockchain in practice.
In this publication, blockchain is used as a collective name for digital databases that are distributed, mathematically secured and chronological in nature, in which registrations take place based on consensus, unless this is deviated from in an individual chapter.
What makes this book special and distinguishes it from other publications about blockchain is its multidisciplinary – social, technical and legal – approach. Blockchain is the perfect example of a subject that requires this type of broad-based approach.
People who are already working with blockchain or are thinking about using the technology for their organisations can really benefit from this collection. The book also provides backgrounds and terms of reference for politicians confronted by policy questions in this domain.
For a copy of the book Multidisciplinary Aspects of Blockchain (pdf) please contact Natascha van Duuren at [email protected] .
