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Blockchain, like the internet, or democracy, or money, is many overlapping things. It is a decentralized record of cryptocurrency transactions. It is a peer-to-peer network of computers. It is an immutable, add-on-only database. What gets confusing is the way in which these overlapping functions override one definition or explanation of blockchain, only to replace it with an altogether different one. The conceptual overlaps are like glass lenses dropped on top of one another, scratching each other's surface and confusing each other's focal dimensions. This guide takes apart the stack of these conceptual lenses and addresses them one by one through the reconstruction of the basic elements of blockchain technology. The first section of this report gives a short history of blockchain, then describes its main functionality, distinguishing between private and public blockchains. Next, the guide breaks down the components and inner workings of a block and the blockchain. The following section focuses on blockchain's journalistic applications, specifically by differentiating between targeted solutions that use blockchain to store important metadata journalists and media companies use on a daily basis, and hybrid solutions that include targeted solutions but introduce cryptocurrency, therein changing the journalistic business model altogether. Finally, the report speculates on the proliferation of what are known as Proof-of-Stake blockchain models, the spread of "smart contracts," and the potential of enterprise-level and government-deployed blockchains, all in relation to what these mean to newsrooms and the work of reporters.

Recent increases in security breaches and digital surveillance highlight the need for improved privacy and security, particularly over users' personal data. Advances in cybersecurity and new legislation promise to improve data protection. Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies provide novel opportunities for protecting user data through decentralized identity and other privacy mechanisms. These systems can allow users greater sovereignty through tools that enable them to own and control their own data. Artificial intelligence provides further possibilities for enhancing system and user security, enriching data sets, and supporting improved analytical models.

Bitcoin is the first digital medium to allow global, "purely peer-to-peer" exchange. At the height of the Great Recession, Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator introduced the electronic cash to sidestep political and economic institutions. Today, it is praised as an opportunity for the unbanked, a liberating force, and a pioneering technology. It is also infamously associated with volatility, illicit activities, and profligate energy consumption. Bitcoin has also flown under the radar of political science, whereas computer scientists, economists, and legal scholars have written extensively about it. To address the gap in the literature, I describe Bitcoin as an actor in global affairs, explain how Bitcoin and blockchain technology work, and discuss why Bitcoin is relevant to political science as the archetypal case of blockchain technology. I argue that Bitcoin is a form of contentious politics uniquely suited to the twenty-first century. Examining Bitcoin as a form of contentious politics sheds light on how a purportedly borderless technology has actually fared in subverting state authority: not entirely well. Nonetheless, Bitcoin has succeeded in at least two respects: it is an unprecedented form of untraceable electronic cash that coordinates unrivaled levels of computing resources from voluntary contributors and it has become a resilient, global social movement. As an archetype of blockchain technology, Bitcoin inspires research of blockchain's capacity to facilitate collective action, uses in international cooperation and competition, and prospects for human development. The thesis concludes with a set of implications for blockchain research and policy.

Facebook has proposed to integrate the cryptocurrency 'Libra' into its services, a plan which has been heavily discussed in science, business and politics. On Steemit.com one receives a tradable-token namend Steem in return for writing popular articles or post comments while at Wildspark.me one is rewarded for discovering the next big YouTube video. This shows that Blockchain technologies have an undeniable influence on the development of today's Social Media Networks. On the one hand, we have the technology hype around Blockchain and what kind of new applications are made possible, and on the other hand, the speculation hype around digital tokens (cryptocurrencies) and new forms of investment (ICO, STO), which have in turn resulted in a large number of start-ups in the Social Media and Blockchain sector. Start-ups and products, which quite often disappear from the market in a relatively short time. This paper provides a Snapshot, how Blockchain technologies could influence established Social Networks and gives an overview of known start-ups and their platforms which facilitate Blockchain technologies (like Steemit, Social X, Obsidian, Indorse, Sola, HyperSpace, Ardor.rocks a.s.o.). Finally, a discussion on how Blockchain technologies can be used beyond speculation is provided. ; peer-reviewed

Blockchain is considered one of the most disruptive technologies of our time. Numerous cities around the world are launching blockchain initiatives as part of the overall efforts toward shaping the urban future. However, the infancy stage of the blockchain industry leads to a severe gap between the knowledge we have and the actions urban policy makers are taking. This paper is an effort to narrow this rift. We provide a systematic literature review on concrete blockchain use cases proposed by the research community. At the macro-level, we discuss and organize use cases from 159 selected papers into nine sectors recognized as crucial for sustainable and smart urban future. At the micro-level, we identify a component-based framework and analyze the design and prototypes of blockchain systems studied in a subset of 71 papers. The high-level use case review allows us to illustrate the relationship between them and the four pillars of urban sustainability: social, economic, environmental, and governmental. The system level analysis helps us highlight interesting inconsistencies between well-known blockchain applicability decision rules and the approaches taken by the literature. We also offer two classification methodologies for blockchain use cases and elaborate on how they can be applied to stimulate cross-sector insights in the blockchain knowledge domain.

This Article focuses on the manner in which blockchain technologies can be applied to the Maritime and Shipping industry, in particular taking a look at Malta's perspective. With the increase of the use of blockchain technologies across the globe, it is evident that it has the potential of impacting one's life in numerous ways. This Article seeks to identify how blockchain may be applied in the field of Shipping and Maritime Law, including logistical, contractual and traceability aspects. Its potential in this field of law is an extensive one, which could completely revolutionise the way in which things are currently being done. ; peer-reviewed

Purpose: The article addresses the issue of new scientific decisions shaping with respect to the study of problems, current trends and perspectives of blockchain technology usage in the Russian Federation. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the objectives of this study the increasing interest to blockchain technology in Russia was discussed. Findings: The article determined main problems in blockchain technology which includes gaps in legislative regulation; the existence of a considerable number of projects that are undergoing the development stage and that have not proved own economic feasibility yet; incomplete understanding of the blockchain spheres' implementation by state officials, society and business representatives as well as expected outcomes according to the amount and time of their receiving; disputes on cryptocurrencies turnover in the country's territory and their influence in the national economy. Practical implications: The study has demonstrated the interest growth mainly by businesses to the usage of blockchain technology in order to improve own competitiveness and to obtain additional benefits, including the form of their profits. Originality/value: The research has also determined the area of further key studies in blockchain technology usage in Russia and the world. ; peer-reviewed

Purpose: This article considers the relevance of healthcare modernization processes in Russia in terms of marketing activities activation, public-private partnerships intensification. Design/Methodology/Approach: The problem of ensuring security when government and healthcare institutions interact by means of blockchain technologies is under-explored and requires further research and investigation. Therefore, methods of induction, deduction, problem, system and logical analysis along with the economic process and system modelling method combined with the formalization method are used in this article. Findings: A mechanism for effective ensuring the safety of interaction between the government and healthcare institutions using blockchain technologies in the course of conducting financial flows and operational information exchange in modern Russia is proposed. Practical Implications: The proposed mechanism for effective ensuring of security in terms of interaction between the government and the healthcare institution by means of blockchain technologies in modern Russia effectively ensures the security of interaction between the government and healthcare institutions . Originality/Value: Authors' findings could be introduced into the healthcare industry. ; peer-reviewed

Treballs Finals del Màster en Creación y Gestión de Empresas Innovadoras y de Base Tecnológica, Facultat d'Economia i Empresa, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2018-2019, Tutor: Marc Rocas ; El objetivo de este trabajo es, por medio de una investigación, entender e identificar los efectos de la tecnología blockchain y la tokenización de la economía. Comprender como blockchain abre una nueva economía digital por medio de criptomonedas y tokens. Identificar su estructura, atributos y características propias. Además, analizar el efecto de los tokens contratos inteligentes para potencializar nuevos modelos de negocio en un sistema de activos programables. Por último, estudiar cómo esta tecnología puede ayudar a emprendedores a obtener financiación y a la vez darle la oportunidad a un público general de pequeños inversionistas de ser incluidos y captar valor a partir de proyectos en sus fases iniciales.

The article is devoted to the coverage of the use of Blockchain technology in the field of public administration. The foreign experience of using Blockchain technology (Estonia, USA, Japan, Brazil, Ghana, Honduras, Georgia, UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden) has been analyzed, as well as prospects for its introduction in Ukraine. Examples of the implementation of Blockchain technology in Ukraine in providing public and public services to legal entities and individuals are presented. The main advantages and disadvantages of this technology are defined, the main principles of work of the Blocckhain are formulated. In addition, the main problems with which the Ukrainian government can meet, when using the distribution register (Blockchain) in public administration is indicated. Particular attention is paid to Blockchain technology as a means of bureaucracy and corruption in public authorities.

Стаття присвячена висвітленню використання блокчейн-технології в сфері публічного управління. Проаналізовано зарубіжний досвід використання блокчейн-технології (Естонія, США, Японія, Бразилія, Гана, Гондурас, Грузія, ОАЕ, Нідерланди і Швеція), а також перспективи її впровадження в Україні. Представлені приклади використання блокчейнтехнології в Україні при наданні державних і суспільних послуг юридичним і фізичним особам. Визначено основні переваги та недоліки цієї технології, сформульовано головні принципи роботи блокчейна. Крім цього, вказані основні проблеми, з якими може зіткнутися український уряд, при використанні розподіленого реєстру (блокчейна) в публічному управлінні. Особлива увага приділяється блокчейн-технології як засобу від бюрократії і корупції в органах публічної влади. ; The article is devoted to the coverage of the use of Blockchain technology in the field of public administration. The foreign experience of using Blockchain technology (Estonia, USA, Japan, Brazil, Ghana, Honduras, Georgia, UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden) has been analyzed, as well as prospects for its introduction in Ukraine. Examples of the implementation of Blockchain technology in Ukraine in providing public and public services to legal entities and individuals are presented. The main advantages and disadvantages of this technology are defined, the main principles of work of the Blocckhain are formulated. In addition, the main problems with which the Ukrainian government can meet, when using the distribution register (Blockchain) in public administration is indicated. Particular attention is paid to Blockchain technology as a means of bureaucracy and corruption in public authorities.

This paper provides the first comprehensive survey of methods for inserting arbitrary data into Bitcoin's blockchain. Historical methods of data insertion are described, along with lesser-known techniques that are optimized for efficiency. Insertion methods are compared on the basis of efficiency, cost, convenience of data reconstruction, permanence, and potentially negative impact on the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the propagation of high-magnitude crises since the late 1990s and emergence of cryptocurrencies in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008. Design and Methodology: The study was based on a literature review of the interaction between financial crises and evolution of money in the digital age. A high-level technical overview of Libra and blockchain is provided. The broad analysis of Libra coin looks at various models and categories of implementation approaches. The study discusses the components of blockchain technology and provides illustrative visuals when possible. We also compare consensus models used in the Libra and Bitcoin blockchain networks. The analysis also touches on the use of blockchain technology in applications such as smart contracts. Findings: The study shows that cryptocurrencies are not only a natural but an inevitable transformation in the evolution of money. As with any new technology, Facebook's Libra is going to cause a great deal of disruption in the existing ecosystem of cryptocurrencies that has taken a decade to form. On the other hand, Libra's financial inclusion and global stability as a public good promises to revolutionize the cryptocurrency world. Practical Implications: If Facebook's Libra doesn't sputter out, it will spur central banks to introduce their own cryptocurrency projects. Libra's vast scale will make access to intermediation by banks easier, faster, and cheaper. Unlike Bitcoin, Libra will be backed by a basket of stable currencies as well as low-risk government bonds and central bank reserve assets. Originality/Value: This study presents a clear picture of both advantages and potential risks of Libra which is considered to be a new invention eventhough Bitcoin has been around more than a decade. The study warns regulators and law makers along with central banks who are running headlong into backlash to Libra can harm consumers more than protect them. Punishing Facebook with a troubled past for violation of privacy and exploitation of users' data could adversely affect innovation and discourage developments of cryptocurrencies. ; peer-reviewed

In financial markets it is common for companies and individuals to invest into foreign companies. To avoid the double taxation of investors on dividend payment – both in the country where the profit is generated as well as the country of residence – most governments have entered into bilateral double taxation treaties, whereby investors can claim a tax refund in the country where the profit is generated. Due to easily forgeable documents and insufficient international exchange of information between tax authorities, investors illegitimately apply for these tax returns causing an estimated damage of 1.8 billion USD, for example, in Denmark alone. This paper assesses the potential of a blockchain database to provide a feasible solution for overcoming this problem against the backdrop of recent advances in the public sector and the unique set of blockchain capacities. Towards this end, we develop and evaluate a blockchain-based prototype system aimed at eliminating this type of tax fraud and increasing transparency regarding the flow of dividends. While the prototype is based on the specific context of the Danish tax authority, we discuss how it can be generalized for tracking international and interorganizational transactions.

Blockchain is a distributed database which is cryptographically protected against malicious modifications. While promising for a wide range of applications, current blockchain platforms rely on digital signatures, which are vulnerable to attacks by means of quantum computers. The same, albeit to a lesser extent, applies to cryptographic hash functions that are used in preparing new blocks, so parties with access to quantum computation would have unfair advantage in procuring mining rewards. Here we propose a possible solution to the quantum era blockchain challenge and report an experimental realization of a quantum-safe blockchain platform that utilizes quantum key distribution across an urban fiber network for information-theoretically secure authentication. These results address important questions about realizability and scalability of quantum-safe blockchains for commercial and governmental applications.