Blockchains in the real world: an interdisciplinary perspective on enchancing security and adoption

This thesis investigates the complex nature of the blockchain ecosystem, where technology, law, and economics intersect across layers and applications. By offering an interdisciplinary perspective on blockchains, we seek to understand both their potential as well as their vulnerabilities. With a spe...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Ramos, Simona
Tipo de recurso: tesis doctoral
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:CBUC, CESCA
Repositorio:TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
OAI Identifier:oai:www.tdx.cat:10803/691771
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10803/691771
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Blockchains
Cryptocurrencies
Cybersecurity
Regulation
Adoption
Criptomonedes
Ciberseguretat
Regulació
Adopció
62
Descripción
Sumario:This thesis investigates the complex nature of the blockchain ecosystem, where technology, law, and economics intersect across layers and applications. By offering an interdisciplinary perspective on blockchains, we seek to understand both their potential as well as their vulnerabilities. With a specific emphasis on blockchain cybersecurity, this thesis sheds a light to the diverse attack vectors targeting cryptocurrencies, blockchains, and associated entities, aiming to evaluate their economic impact using publicly available data. Furthermore, the study delves into the legal and regulatory frameworks pertinent to blockchains and crypto-assets, recognizing and addressing the technical limitations that impede regulatory intervention. We explore the economic and cybersecurity challenges associated with MEV, including practices like front-running and sandwich attacks, which are deemed illegal in traditional financial markets. The thesis also analyses smart contracts, examining their complex relationships with users and the resulting ’information gap’. Finally, we explore the blockchain’s potential as a normative tool, facilitating disintermediation and transparency in multifaceted use cases, such as AI applications and renewable energy communities.