May 23, 2019 - This project explains the role of exchanges after initial coin offerings, compared to conventional initial public offerings. It compares crypto over-the-counter exchanges (Bitfinex, Coinbase) that enable peer-to-peer trading and on-chain decentralized exchanges (Oasis DEX) where all aspects of a trade occur on a blockchain.

Aug 30, 2019 - This project explores a type of cryptoasset, the non-fungible token (NFT), or what we call the crypto collectible. It explains the concept of the NFT and illustrates how it works through the best-known NFTs, CryptoKitties, a phenomenon of an asset within the Ethereum-based CryptoKitties game. It revealed how businesses might create and use digitally unique and scarce assets beyond cryptocurrencies in their business models. The project also covers the online gaming market—both packaged software and downloadable content—and describes how companies might tokenize their intangible and physical assets.

Feb 28, 2018 - This project looks at the three layers of the blockchain stack—protocol, consensus, and economic—from logical and technical points of view; and it distinguishes between two types of standardization, semantic and technological. It should help executives and investors to understand the implementation challenges—such as scalability, energy consumption, and governance of each layer—and the problems that the blockchain community is attempting to solve with each innovation.

Jun 27, 2018 - Decentralization, hashing functions, public key cryptography, and smart contracts are advantageous design features of blockchain systems. These require the coordination of multiple and diverse actors with differing incentives—cryptoeconomics—to solve any problems that arise. This research examines the impact of governance on these systems. Specifically, it explores governance needs at three levels of the blockchain stack: the Internet layer, the blockchain layer, and the application layer, including the deployment of decentralized applications (Dapps). De Filippi and McMullen explain the difference between governance by the infrastructure...

Sep 30, 2019 - This research explores the disruptive effects of blockchain technologies on central banking and the financial services industry. Its author discusses Facebook’s proposed cryptocurrency Libra, and how the other FAANG companies—that is, Amazon.com, Apple, Netflix, and Google—might respond with their own digital tokens. He introduces five transformations—cryptoassets, the tokenization of everything, blockchains as state machines, a new model for identity, and the nine forms of decentralized finance. He examines the challenges that incumbents and innovators face during this transition; and he previews the world of financial services in th...

Dec 21, 2017 - This case study investigates how the start-up Slock.it is deploying blockchain technology to enable a true sharing economy through its "universal sharing network." It describes how the company’s inspiration came from an attempted high-tech heist and outlines the conditions necessary for such a sharing platform to succeed.