Crypto, Web3 and the Metaverse

Abstract

This brief aims to give policymakers an overview of crypto’s core concepts, and highlight some of the policy questions raised by its increasing adoption by citizens and organisations. It begins with a short explanation of the crypto movement’s ideological origins, offers basic primers in cryptocurrencies, blockchain, web3, NFTs, and the metaverse, and concludes with a discussion of the policy implications and suggestions for further reading. Short case studies and a glossary of crypto terminology (denoted by italics) are interspersed throughout. References are made by means of hyperlinks.