Bridging the Divide Between Code and Law in Distributed Ledger Ecosystems

Abstract

Code and law have been entangled in a silent tension ever since the advent of cyberspace. The centralised architecture of cyberspace paved the way for law to prevail. The latest manifestation of this tension, however, appears to be opening up a Pandora’s box. Blockchain and law are on a silent collision course that must be addressed. This paper argues that in bridging the divide between code and law in blockchain, a radical rethink of regulation is imperative.