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...

Dec 18, 2018 - This case details one of the United Nations Develop Programme’s projects applying technological solutions to some of the humanitarian agency’s most pressing challenges. As a test case, the UNDP sponsored Blockscale Solutions to build a reliable land registry proof of concept in the state of Haryana, India, as a means of reducing bureaucratic corruption and expediting humanitarian aid in the aftermath of natural disasters. The case compares Haryana’s current system of land administration with the long-term benefits and obstacles to implementation of a blockchain-based system.

Apr 30, 2018 - This research surveys the global landscape of regulatory frameworks, statements, and decisions, on blockchain-based token sales in the jurisdictions of the United States, Canada, Singapore, China, France, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Switzerland, and Gibraltar, with commentary on Malaysia, South Korea, Israel, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates. Its expert authors look at initial coin offerings and compare how different regulators are categorizing token sales in their attempts to balance the protection of investors with the stimulus of innovat...

Jan 15, 2018 - This paper showcases the hotbeds of blockchain activity around the world—those cities and nations that have become hubs for financing and incubation of entrepreneurial initiatives—and explains the conditions under which distributed ledger start-ups are thriving in each jurisdiction.

Feb 11, 2019 - This case study outlines Dubai’s plans to transform itself into a smart city, enabled by blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics. It maps out how Dubai is automating its real estate and utilities management and looks ahead to its use of blockchain for identity management, land registry, and new utilities business models.

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...