Blockchains are the distributed ledger technology that powers Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. But blockchains can be used for more than the transfer of tokens – they are a significant new economic infrastructure. This book offers the first scholarly analysis of the economic nature of blockchains and the shape of the blockchain economy. By applying the institutional economics of Ronald Coase and Oliver Williamson, this book shows how blockchains are poised to reshape the nature of firms, governments, markets, and civil society.

This book focuses on the building of a crypto economy as an alternative economic space and discusses how the crypto economy should be governed. The crypto economy is examined in its productive and financialised aspects, in order to distil the need for governance in this economic space. The author argues that it is imperative for regulatory policy to develop the economic governance of the blockchain-based business model, in order to facilitate economic mobilisation and wealth creation. The regulatory framework should cater for a new and unique enterprise organisational law and the fund-raising and financing of blockchain-based development projects. Such a regulatory framework is crucially enabling in nature and consistent with the tenets of regulatory capitalism. Further, the book acknowledges the rising importance of private monetary orders in the crypto economy and native payment systems that do not rely on conventional institutions for value transfer. A regulatory blueprint is proposed for governing such monetary orders as 'commons' governance. The rise of Decentralised Finance and other financial innovations in the crypto economy are also discussed, and the book suggests a framework for regulatory consideration in this dynamic landscape in order to meet a balance of public interest objectives and private interests. By setting out a reform agenda in relation to economic and financial governance in the crypto economy, this forward-looking work argues for the extension of 'regulatory capitalism' to this perceived 'wild west' of an alternative economic space. It advances the message that an innovative regulatory agenda is needed to account for the economically disruptive and technologically transformative developments brought about by the crypto economy.

This book presents the best papers from the 2nd International Conference on Mathematical Research for Blockchain Economy (MARBLE) 2020, held in Vilamoura, Portugal. While most blockchain conferences and forums are dedicated to business applications, product development or Initial Coin Offering (ICO) launches, this conference focused on the mathematics behind blockchain to bridge the gap between practice and theory. Blockchain Technology has been considered as the most fundamental and revolutionising invention since the Internet. Every year, thousands of blockchain projects are launched and circulated in the market, and there is a tremendous wealth of blockchain applications, from finance to healthcare, education, media, logistics and more. However, due to theoretical and technical barriers, most of these applications are impractical for use in a real-world business context. The papers in this book reveal the challenges and limitations, such as scalability, latency, privacy and security, and showcase solutions and developments to overcome them.

This practical introduction explains the field of Blockchain Economics, the economic models emerging with the implementation of distributed ledger technology. These models are characterized by three factors: open platform business models, cryptotoken money supplies, and Initial Coin Offerings as a new and official form of financing. The book covers a variety of approaches from a business and academic perspective, ranging from financial theory, complexity, and open innovation networks to behavioral economics, self-determination theory, public policy, and financial inclusion.Unlike existing titles, this book draws on worldwide blockchain industry experts to define the new discipline of Blockchain Economics and provide novel theoretical and conceptual resources for the future of this fast-developing economy. The primer also highlights the wider theme of blockchain as an institutional technology, in that many value transfer interactions might be shifted to automated networks, decreasing the number of human-operated institutions.As well as stimulating further research, and implementation by business innovators and public policy strategists, the book can also be used as a foundational textbook in courses on Blockchain Economics.

Embark on the Ultimate Journey Through the Cryptocurrency Revolution Imagine standing on the precipice of a financial revolution, a landscape brimming with opportunities akin to the legendary gold rushes of yesteryear. "Cryptocurrency Uncovered: Your Guide Through the Digital Gold Rush" is your essential compass through this exhilarating and sometimes mystifying terrain, carefully crafted to guide novices and seasoned investors alike through the world of digital currencies. Upon this journey, you'll uncover the origins and evolution of cryptocurrency, exploring the seismic shift from traditional financial systems to the digital marketplace. Step by step, you'll unlock the secrets behind blockchain technology, a groundbreaking innovation upon which cryptocurrencies build their secure and transparent foundations. Dive deep into the complexities of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and an array of alternative coins that are reshaping the notion of money and investments. With each chapter designed to incrementally build your confidence and expertise, this book transforms the seemingly intricate world of digital currency into an approachable and empowering experience. But it's not just about understanding–this guide navigates you through the practicalities too. From setting up a digital wallet to making astute choices in the maze of trading platforms, you'll take your first foray into cryptocurrency transactions armed with the knowledge to do so securely and sagely. Gain an investor's acumen, dissect market trends, perfect your portfolio, and learn to harvest your own digital gold through the fascinating world of crypto mining. There's no stone left unturned as this book also addresses the all-important aspects of security, regulatory compliance, and the emerging trends that will shape the future of this digital rush. As you turn the final page of "Cryptocurrency Uncovered," you'll not only have grasped the intricacies of blockchain and cryptocurrency, but you'll also be ready to make your mark in the increasingly decentralized financial world that awaits. Are you ready to join the digital gold rush? Your guide awaits.

This handbook provides an authoritative and truly comprehensive overview both of the diverse applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within the travel and tourism industry and of e-tourism as a field of scientific inquiry that has grown and matured beyond recognition. Leading experts from around the world describe cutting-edge ideas and developments, present key concepts and theories, and discuss the full range of research methods. The coverage accordingly encompasses everything from big data and analytics to psychology, user behavior, online marketing, supply chain and operations management, smart business networks, policy and regulatory issues – and much, much more. The goal is to provide an outstanding reference that summarizes and synthesizes current knowledge and establishes the theoretical and methodological foundations for further study of the role of ICTs in travel and tourism. The handbook will meet the needs of researchers and students in various disciplines as well as industry professionals. As with all volumes in Springer’s Major Reference Works program, readers will benefit from access to a continually updated online version.

This book discusses various aspects of blockchains in economic systems and investment strategies in crypto markets. It first addresses the topic from a conceptual and theoretical point of view, and then analyzes it from an assessment and investment angle. Further, it examines the opportunities and limitations of the taxation of crypto currency, as well as the political implications, such as regulation of speculation with crypto currencies. The book is intended for academicians and students in the fields of economics and finance.

Modern institutional economics was created to study the institutions of pre-digital economies and is based on reductionist approaches. But digital capitalism is producing institutions of unprecedented complexity. This book argues therefore that not only the economic institutions themselves but also the theoretical foundations for studying those institutions must now be adapted to digital capitalism. The book focuses on the institutional complexity of digital capitalism, developing an interdisciplinary framework which brings together cutting-edge theoretical approaches from philosophy (first of all, object-oriented ontology), sociology (especially actor-network theory), evolutionary biology, and cognitive science. In particular, the book outlines a new approach to the study of institutional evolution, based on extended evolutionary synthesis – a new paradigm in evolutionary biology, which is now replacing neo-Darwinism. The book develops an enactivist notion of extended cognition and cognitive institutions, rejecting the individualistic and mechanistic understanding of economic rationality in digital environments. The author experiments with new philosophical approaches to investigate institutional complexity, for example, the ideas of the flat ontology and the assemblage theory. The flat ontology approach is applied to the study of human-robot institutions, as well as to thinking about post-anthropocentric institutional design. Assemblage thinking allows for a new (much less idealistic) look at blockchain and smart cities. Blockchain as digital institutional technology is considered in the book not from the viewpoint of minimizing transaction costs (as is customary in the modern institutional economics), but by using the theory of transaction value which focuses on improving the quality of digital transactions. The book includes a wide range of examples ranging from metaverses, cryptocurrencies and big data to robot rules, smart contracts and machine learning algorithms. Written for researchers in institutional economics and other social sciences, this interdisciplinary book is essential reading for anyone interested in the interplay of institutional and digital change.

Providing a panoramic overview of the field, this Handbook examines the intellectual property (IP) rights that protect artistic and inventive works, demonstrating that innovation and creativity require appropriate practical institutions alongside imagination and inspiration. Advancing key debates in the field, it identifies important reforms and mechanisms to improve IP systems for both the creators and users of protected works.

Web3 is a term which refers to the third generation of the World Wide Web; it is a decentralized internet architecture that uses blockchain technology, smart contracts, and other decentralized technologies to create a more secure and transparent internet.Concepts, Technologies, Challenges, and the Future of Web 3 is led by researchers with a valuable mix of industry and academic experience. The book delves into the concepts of decentralization, trustlessness, and interoperability and explores the challenges of Web3, including scalability, security, and regulatory compliance. It examines the current and potential future use cases of Web3, such as decentralized finance, supply chain management, identity verification, and decentralized social networks. “The core building blocks of Web3” is not just for researchers, academics, and students in computer science and related fields but also for developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses looking to build applications and services in the Web3 space. It offers a clear understanding of the technical and conceptual frameworks underpinning Web3 and the challenges and opportunities in the decentralized web. Moreover, the book is valuable for policymakers, regulators, and legal professionals interested in understanding the regulatory frameworks and legal implications of Web3. It provides insights into the potential impact of Web3 on governance, regulation, and law, highlighting the need for new policy frameworks to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the decentralized web.