Sep 02, 2020 - Within each industry, distributed ledger technology is influencing the value chain and the role of a CFO. This project outlines why the CFO, as the CEO’s business partner, should understand blockchain’s impact on enterprise strategy, not just on corporate finance, capital investment, and operations. It shows how blockchain could catalyze change in the near term, with finance use cases in taxation, accounting and audit processes and in digital asset payments for consumer goods, employee payroll, and cross-border transactions. In the longer term, CFOs will help make the business case for blockchain applications in trade finance, supply chai...

Aug 31, 2019 - This project surveys patents issued globally in the blockchain space, compares them to the nature and volume of patents in the Internet space, and puts them into categories of innovation. The author walks through a careful analysis of the claims of issued patents, for companies to decide whether to avoid such patents or to design around their claims. He identifies deficiencies in the patent office review of prior art, which—when rectified—could render a patent invalid. Finally, he discusses strategic uses of patent offices and the federal court system in the defense of or dispute over an issued patent.

Nov 23, 2017 - This project examines the quantum threat to blockchain technology, with its heavy reliance on public-key cryptography. It underscores the urgent need for quantum-resistant algorithms, international standards for cryptosystems, and a large-scale retooling of information and communications technology infrastructure worldwide. The authors distinguish types of quantum adversaries and analyze our options—from patching methods to building quantum-resistant blockchains from scratch.

Jul 31, 2020 - This research takes a fresh look at the Bitcoin network and its native currency, bitcoin. Its authors argue that, while the Bitcoin protocols have proven successful for financial applications, they have hindered scalability, privacy, and programmability. Because of these implementation challenges, some enterprise leaders have looked to Ethereum and other blockchain solutions. But other development teams have found innovative ways to evolve the Bitcoin network and its enterprise capabilities. By building directly on top of existing Bitcoin infrastructure, businesses can profit from its security and network effects without incurring the costs a...

Jul 31, 2019 - This project examines how blockchain supports user centric identity systems, through such technological primitives as public key cryptography, hashing functions, zero-knowledge proofs, and homomorphic encryption. Its authors set nine benchmarks—technical specifications, governance, security, privacy, recovery and revocation, user experience, data controls, and degrees of decentralization and self-sovereignty—by which prospective users and ecosystem partners might assess different identity services and compare them to each other and the status quo. The purpose is to help users map their goals to the technical features necessary for achievi...

Sep 28, 2017 - A new phenomenon—initial coin offerings—enabled through blockchain technology is upending basic tenets of twentieth-century capitalism. This project frames the opportunity in terms of addressing the tragedy of the commons. He studies the development and ramification of the emerging token economy and walks through the landscape of token types. He previews the economic effects of digital scarcity, tokens as powerful incentives, and the legal and policy ramifications for securities law and property rights.