Blockchain Papers

Larisa Yarovaya, Ahmed H. Elsayed, Shawkat Hammoudeh

No abstract is available for this record.

Janayna Mesquita De Oliveira, Marielly Monize Dos Santos Ribeiro, Marco Aurelio Alves Leal do Ó, Jamille Carla Oliveira Araújo

No mundo atual onde as inovacoes em tecnologia digital facilitam a vida das pessoas, as criptomoedas tem ganhado espaco e cada vez

Ann Ogbo, Anthony Igwe, Jesse Ezeobi, Nwanneka J. Modebe · 5 authors

This paper examined the impact of social entrepreneurship on sustainability of business development in Nigeria. The objectives of the study include: to identify major evolution experienced by social enterprise in Nigeria, to identify key challenges in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria, to identify current trends in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria, and to carry out an analysis on sources of funds for financing the social entrepreneurs. Survey approach was the research design used with particular reference to selected small and medium enterprises (SME) in Nigeria. It was observed that political factors, economic factors, socio-cultural factors, cross country factors and technological factors are the major evolution experienced by social enterprise in Nigeria. It was also observed that lack of education in entrepreneurship, lack of financial assistance, comparative disadvantages to business, lack of government support and lack of skilled manpower are the key challenges in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The current trends in social entrepreneurship in Nigeria are social media and the role of technology, rise of decentralized micro-giving opportunities, cross-sector partnerships and government drive for an all-inclusive economic growth and development through SME. The analysis carried out on sources of funds for financing the social entrepreneurs are contributions from social entrepreneurs, subventions from government, donor supports, loans and advances and retained earnings/reserves.

Tyler J. Mann

Despite having the second largest economy at $13 trillion, China has only recently surpassed the World Bank’s definition of the ‘middle-income range’ which is a gross national income per capita between $1,000 to $12,000 (constant 2011 international $). This is a noteworthy accomplishment since many other developing nations have fallen victim to economic stagnation within this range leading to the term “middle-income trap”. This paper will argue that one of the ways in which China escaped the middle-income trap and will continue to grow its economic influence is through the support of blockchain technology. Research and development, early technological adoption and business climate all play a role in explaining how the Chinese public and private sector have used blockchain technology to encourage economic growth. While there are many questions and misconceptions about blockchain technology and its place in China, this paper seeks only to answer a select few.

John Taskinsoy

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.

Rose Mahdavieh

The emergence of digital currency is becoming prevalent in the age of globalization – specifically, cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are two recently discovered concepts currently being explored by researchers and developers. Cryptocurrency is a subset of digital currency that encompasses revolutionary technology, shifting political and economic spheres in nation-states. Certain governments are more prone to the adoption of cryptocurrencies and three comparative case study countries, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, have shared attributes that result in adoption. Observed factors that result in the adoption of cryptocurrencies include corruption, GDP level, economic volatility, and Western sanctions. These factors will be applied in the case study countries to analyze the adoption of native government-backed cryptocurrency.

Ze Shen, David A. Bessler, David J. Leatham, Shen, Ze · 6 authors

Agribusiness

Han Woo Park, Bülent Özel

The blockchain is still new and unfamiliar. But blockchain appears to shake an entire technology innovation system. Blockchain is rapidly drawing attention in that it will be able to fundamentally revolutionize industry ecosystem. While cryptocurrency transactions and market capitalization have been popular in mass media, several platform operators in non-cryptocurrency areas such as jewelry, social networks, and entertainment, are also moving to introduce blockchain technology in full swing. In this brief note, we intend to present integrated theoretical strands to summarize various prospects for blockchain technology. Further, we want to provide a reflection as to whether this new technology gives opportunities, challenges, or risks to future society. Particularly, we point out one of its alternative and promising adoption that gives way to new forms of decentralized and autonomous organizations (DAOs).

Fabian Teichmann, Marie-Christin Falker

Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency, was first introduced in 2009, by Satoshi Nakamoto. While many believe the name is a pseudonym, and the true identity of the creator(s) is unknown, it is an undisputed fact that cryptocurrencies have introduced an indelible change to monies worldwide. Consequently, cryptocurrencies have also introduced a plethora of new opportunities for money laundering activity.\nWhile cryptocurrencies follow the same three-step laundering process of placement, layering, and integration, the activity can be more difficult to detect due to the anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies. Moreover, while traditional schemes such as smurfing or gambling at a casino are still used as laundering techniques, more advanced methods such using mixers and tumblers or utilizing unscrupulous cryptocurrency exchanges are also being used to mask the flow of funds. Finally, the rapid increase in initial coin offerings (ICO’s) provides yet another outlet for cryptocurrency money laundering to occur.\nFortunately, advancements are being made on a variety of fronts to address the increase in illicit activity. First, the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, has implemented a robust know-your-customer (KYC) program, as evidenced by my own experience of opening an account with the exchange. Secondly, researchers are finding new ways to extract information about certain cryptocurrency transactions which were previously thought to be unidentifiable. Finally, both law enforcement and government agencies, including the SEC and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, are using innovative, aggressive, and even clandestine techniques to combat cryptocurrency money laundering activity.

Bernhard Reinsberg

Abstract Blockchain technology has been considered a vehicle to foster development in poor countries by promoting applications such as secure delivery of humanitarian aid, digital identity services, and proof of provenance. This article examines whether (and if so, how) blockchain technology can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of foreign aid governance, thereby moving beyond completely anonymous contexts. Foreign aid governance is plagued by lack of credible commitments among states, which are further exacerbated by information asymmetries and which often undermine aid effectiveness. In this context, blockchain technology holds two promises. First, through the guaranteed execution of smart contracts, it can strengthen the credibility of state commitments, for example collective burden-sharing rules among a group of donors or recipient country compliance with policy conditionality in return for aid. Second, through leveraging prediction markets, blockchain technology can allay information problems related to the verification of real-world events along the entire aid delivery chain.

Florin Duma, Raluca Gligor

Fintech, which is a shorthand expression for financial technology, is basically referring to all the technological innovations in the financial sector that started to develop exponentially, especially in the second decade of the 21st century, in the era of the mobile internet revolution.The Generation Z, also called Gen Tech, who was growing up using the internet and especially the mobile internet on a daily basis, will probably be the larger adopter and beneficiary of these innovative financial technologies.The current generation of students, born about twenty years ago, is part of this cohort and this is why we decided to initiate a study regarding their perception and behavior concerning the fintech area with the help of a questionnaire applied on some of the students of the Faculty of European Studies from Babeș-Bolyai University.Because the fintech is covering financial innovations from a very broad area (including cryptocurrency, online payments, financial transfers, openbanking, investments, regtech, insurtech, etc.) we decided to focus in this preliminary study, only on the blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies and in relation to these, on the online payments.

Dariusz T. Dziuba

The paper presents the blockchain crowdfunding technology and its economic implications. It is a separate, decentralized model of social funding, based on “block chains”, growing in response to technological progress, as well as to expectations of IT users with respect to the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies and the demand for new categories of systems. The essence of the blockchain technology is presented, along with the potential benefits and the variety of applications, especially in the field of banking and finance. The blockchain crowdfunding model and the Initial Coin Offering process are described. Furthermore, the global blockchain crowdfunding market segment is estimated and analyzed. The main benefits and factors (risks) of the model are identified, as well as its growth prospects.

Miţac Mirela Claudia, Elena Dobre

The cryptocurrencies are important topics in economics literature because their significance for the monetary system as innovations in information and communication technology are impacting the conventional thinking about currency, money and payments as they are used over the internet outside existing banking systems. At the same time, all innovations in payment systems come with risks associated with cyber security, speculative investments and money laundering. In present due to their little usage comparing to the total amount of cash and other legal tenders they do not pose risks to financial stability, but as they will increase in volume, they may impede “the central banks’ core functions: monetary policy, financial stability, payments and currency†and the safeguards of investors in cryptocurrencies. One opinion expressed in economics is that in order to mitigate some of the particular risks entailed by cryptocurrencies’ circulation on global financial and monetary system the central banks should considering the issuing of “central bank digital currencies†.

Oro Ufuo Oro, Paul Alagidede

The relationship between economic growth, growth volatility and financial sector development continues to attract attention in the theoretical and empirical literature. Over time, some studies hypothesize that finance has a causal linear relationship with growth. Recently several other authors contradict this claim and argue that the relationship that exists between finance and growth is nonlinear. We investigate these claims for Nigeria for the period between 1970 and 2015, using semi-parametric econometric methods, Hansen sample splitting techniques and threshold estimator. We observed no evidence of ‘Too much finance’ as claimed by many researchers in recent times. We show that the relationship between financial development and economic growth is U-shaped. This is equally true for the relationship between financial development and growth volatility. We also discuss policy implications of our findings and recommend financial innovations and decentralization of stock exchanges to boost access to financial services, in addition, improved regulation to enhance financial market efficiency.

Sajda Qureshi, Jason Xiong

The rapid rise of cryptocurrency adoption appears to effect the ability of people to improve their lives. In this paper, the most ubiquitous cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is used to investigate effects on financial inclusion and human development. The findings in this paper show a strong positive correlation between bitcoin transactions and human development, between bitcoin transactions and financial inclusion and between financial inclusion and human development. The Bitcoin effect is identified as having a cyclical relationship on financial inclusion and human development. While the Bitcoin effect has a very positive effect on the global economy, this paper uses these results to investigate what business models are enabled through the Bitcoin effect. Cluster analysis is carried out to identify business models that are relevant to the country categories they represent. Three business models are identified from the Bitcoin effect that relate to the country categories they represent. These are miners, innovators and wallets. This paper’s contribution is in discovering and describing the key characteristics of the Bitcoin effect and the business models it generates globally.

Volodymyr Кorneev, Oksana Cheberyаko

Essence of cryptocurrencies is considered in the article, their risks and prospects of development in Ukraine and world. Advantages and disadvantages of crypto currency are described. Positions of foreign central banks and other financial regulators are lighted up in relation to cryptocurrencies and markets of cryptocurrencies. It is offered, that the experience of Japan, Switzerland, the United States and England in this question should be used as a fairway. It is marked that corresponding activity and financial services must be licensed by the state as a type of professional activity on the stages of formation of cryptocurrency (mining) and support of its circulation (trading and financial consulting).

Joseph Wall, D. Larry Crumbley, Lewis B. Kilbourne, Caleb Blair

In this report, the authors discuss cryptocurrencies — especially bitcoin — and argue that because the IRS lists them as property, they are taxable, and because they are not as anonymous as once thought, they are not free from fraud. Cryptocurrencies are digital assets used as a medium of exchange, but they are not really coins. They can be sent electronically from one entity to another almost anywhere in the world with an internet connection. There are many cryptocurrencies in the market, including bitcoin, ethereum, ethereum classic, litecoin, nem, dash, iota, bitshares, monero, neo, and ripple. Many of the cryptocurrency networks are not controlled by a single entity or company; instead, a decentralized network of computers keeps track of the currency using a token ID. A ledger maintains a continuously growing list of date stamped transactions in real time called “blocks.” This technology is known as blockchain, which records, verifies, and stores transactions without a trusted central authority. The network instead relies on decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) with uncertain legal standing.

Nir Kshetri

Just like its recent predecessors, blockchain – also known as the distributed ledger technology – is considered to have the potential to cause major economic, political and social transformations in the Global South. The visible effects of this technology are already being noted there. We present early evidence linking the use of blockchain in overcoming some economic, social and political challenges facing the Global South. The article highlights the key applications and uses of blockchain in developing countries. It demonstrates how blockchain can help promote transparency, build trust and reputation, and enhance efficiency in transactions. The article looks at opportunities and key triggers for blockchain diffusion in these countries. It also delves into challenges and obstacles that developing economies are likely to encounter in the use of blockchain.

Joshua Pazvakawambwa

Digital currency platforms such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple are slowly but surely revolutionizing trade and commerce alongside their potential to impact people's economic lifestyles immensely. Digital currencies present a unique medium for humanitarian, mission, and more notoriosly arms and terrorism transactions around the globe. Various factors like security, legislature, and infrastructure affect the viability of adopting digital currencies in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. The research study assesses whether this technology's shortcomings outweigh the conventional means of exchange: hard cash, gold, and checks. Therefore, aiding stakeholders in making informed decisions concerning interfacing technology with economics in the developing world.

Lakshmi Prasad. Chinthalapalli, Y. V. Lakshmana Rao

The sustainable development of State requires infrastructure and good governance system i.e. Infrastructure, decentralized administration, digitalization, technology based E-governance; infrastructure finance will help the government of Telangana to attain the new heights of economic growth and development. The development process of Telangana is a better design through T-hub, Policy initiatives and peoples participation.

John K Asamoah

The study attempted to investigate how leadership can be used to combat corruption in decentralized governance structures of Ghana. In conducting the study, purposive sampling technique was employed to select key officials of GA south municipal assembly whose duties often promote corrupt practices. The questionnaire technique was the research instrument while a statistical package for social science was used to facilitate the analysis of data captured from the field. Findings of the study noted that under invoicing, over invoicing, payment for works not done among others are serious corrupt practices prevailing within the decentralized grassroots governance structures. It also came to light that political interference, appointing political operatives to key positions in governance units all promotes corrupt practices. The study noted that if political interference can be removed in the administration of these decentralized structures, effective leaders who are mainly technocrats can offer sound management framework for carrying out the developmental agenda of these decentralized structures. The study called on government of African countries to endeavour to finance the activities of political parties so as to remove the need for amassing wealth through fair or foul means for strengthen political structures to win elections. Strong leaders are required towards combating corruptions, however there is the need to ameliorate completely the effect of political interference in the administration of decentralized governance structures.

Darcy W E Allen

No abstract is available for this record.

Ralph C. Maloumby-Baka, Christian Kingombe

The paper reviews the last technological tools that arguably can contribute to reducing the excessively high costs of remittance transactions in Africa. Indeed, despite huge remittance inflows to and within the continent, Africa is the most expensive destination to send money to. As remittances have become more important than Overseas Development Assistance and Foreign Direct Investment inflows in some countries, it has become crucial to explore technological advances that can contribute to reducing their transaction costs. Such reduction would enable the end beneficiaries to capture a larger share of these external resources, which in turn could have an even bigger impact on development in Africa. In addition to revisiting the role of mobile banking in lowering remittance transaction prices, the paper takes a closer look at the newest available technology, the Bitcoin blockchain technology that underpins digital currencies. At this early stage, very few social science researchers have addressed the role that such digital currency could play in the reduction of the remittance transaction prices, except for a few innovative Bitcoin operators. The paper proceeds as follows. It first looks at the causes of the high remittance transaction costs. Then, it reviews, presents and analyses the official remittances data downloaded from the World Bank's Remittances Prices Worldwide database. It also briefly reviews a few remittance transfer technological instruments. Given the novelty of the topic, the review of the most recent existing "literature" on Bitcoin is mainly retrieved from either on - line news sources or information from a few leading Bitcoin operators. In the light of the UN Global Working Group Post-2015 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals proposal to reduce by 2030 the remittance transaction costs to even less than 3%, the effectiveness of these new technological instruments to reach such objective are discussed. Finally, a number of appropriate policy actions to foster the economic impact of remittances are proposed.

Marc Pilkington, Rodica Crudu, Lee Gibson Grant

In this article, we explore the formidable yet untapped capabilities of Blockchain technology and Bitcoin in order to alleviate poverty. We focus on the Republic of Moldova, which has been plagued by endemic corruption and persistently high poverty levels since her independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The transformative power of Blockchain technology and Bitcoin are then evidenced through a dual analysis of tourism 2.0 (with a real-world case study) and e-governance, which can contribute to increased inward capital investment flows, and help fight off corruption practices. Finally, we conclude that these new technologies constitute a significant step in the right direction, in order to break away from twenty-five years of disappointing socio-economic development performance.