Blockchain and cryptocurrencies technologies and network structures: applications, implications and beyond

Abstract

Blockchain technology is bringing together concepts and operations from several fields, including computing, communications networks, cryptography, and has broad implications and consequences thus encompassing a wide variety of domains and issues, including Network Science, computer science, economics, law, geography, etc. The aim of the paper is to provide a synthetic sketch of issues raised by the development of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies, these issues are mainly presented through the link between on one hand the technological aspects, i.e. involved technologies and networks structures, and on the other hand the issues raised from applications to implications. We believe the link is a two-sided one. The goal is that it may contribute facilitating bridges between research areas.