Jun 24, 2022 - This research brief summarizes the findings of a substantial research project funded by Input Output (IO) and focused on discovering new approaches to the governance of resources in blockchain ecosystems. The team was substantial, with two dozen researchers from IO, the Boston Consulting Group, and the Blockchain Research Institute. The process was iterative, with write-ups, peer reviews, and discussions of research results and feedback. Based on its findings, the research team proposed a new form of stewardship, called the decentralized resource governance (DRG) model. It is a means of governing initiatives to deploy resources, shap...

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...

Nov 17, 2018 - Rare is the case study that clearly lays out a plan of action for government officials serious about improving their services. Anthony Williams explores how blockchain can simplify and improve government efficiency in Canada by providing a single digital ledger for all accounts. He assesses the current general ledger system, compares it with best practices in Estonia, Sweden, and the United States, and proposes a blockchain-based solution. His analysis is not cheerleading; it is clear-headed. He lays out the relevant challenges and implementation costs including managing risk and connecting with existing policies and procedures. Canada has an...

Jan 21, 2021 - This research project looks at stablecoins, a new category of digital assets with stable prices in decentralized financial systems. It achieves three goals. First, it examines different ways to stabilize the price of a cryptocurrency. Some are backed by assets with stable value such as US dollars or gold, others are stabilized by algorithms, and some combine those two approaches. Second, it surveys the landscape of stablecoins and analyze the top ten stablecoins by market capitalization. Finally, it suggests ways to use stablecoins for protecting the value of a cryptoasset portfolio.

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.

May 31, 2019 - This research demonstrates a potential use of blockchain in the financial system―the use of cryptocurrency for taxation. The research focused on the state of Ohio, the government of which had strong support from relevant stakeholders in the private sector. The use case gives readers a sense of the social, political, and entrepreneurial acceptance during early adoption of blockchain at a governmental level. The outcomes should inform policymakers of more efficient options to implement blockchain-related initiatives while maximizing their public impact.