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Alternative Assets and Cryptocurrencies
Alternative assets such as fine art, wine, or diamonds have become popular investment vehicles in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Correlation with classical financial markets is typically low, such that diversification benefits arise for portfolio allocation and risk management. Cryptocurrencies share many alternative asset features, but are hampered by high volatility, sluggish commercial acceptance, and regulatory uncertainties. This collection of papers addresses alternative assets and cryptocurrencies from economic, financial, statistical, and technical points of view. It gives an overview of their current state and explores their properties and prospects using innovative approaches and methodologies.
Bitcoin and Beyond: Cryptocurrencies, Blockchains, and Global Governance
Since the launch of Bitcoin in 2009 several hundred different 'cryptocurrencies' have been developed and become accepted for a wide variety of transactions in leading online commercial marketplaces and the 'sharing economy', as well as by more traditional retailers, manufacturers, and even by charities and political parties. Bitcoin and its competitors have also garnered attention for their wildly fluctuating values as well as implication in international money laundering, Ponzi schemes and online trade in illicit goods and services across borders. These and other controversies surrounding cryptocurrencies have induced varying governance responses by central banks, government ministries, international organizations, and industry regulators worldwide. Besides formal attempts to ban Bitcoin, there have been multifaceted efforts to incorporate elements of blockchains, the peer-to-peer technology underlying cryptocurrencies, in the wider exchange, recording, and broadcasting of digital transactions. Blockchains are being mobilized to support and extend an array of governance activities. The novelty and breadth of growing blockchain-based activities have fueled both utopian promises and dystopian fears regarding applications of the emergent technology to Bitcoin and beyond. This volume brings scholars of anthropology, economics, Science and Technology Studies, and sociology together with GPE scholars in assessing the actual implications posed by Bitcoin and blockchains for contemporary global governance. Its interdisciplinary contributions provide academics, policymakers, industry practitioners and the general public with more nuanced understandings of technological change in the changing character of governance within and across the borders of nation-states.
The Bitcoin Big Bang: How Alternative Currencies Are about to Change the World
Get a handle on the digital currency revolution, and learn how to get on board. The Bitcoin Big Bang is a guide to navigating the uncharted territory of digital currency. Written by CNBC contributor Brian Kelly, this book goes beyond Bitcoin 101 to explain how this transformative technology is about to change the world. Digital currency is thrown into perspective against the history of payment systems and its own evolution, as readers are invited to explore the ways in which this technology is already changing the way business gets done. Readers gain insight into the mechanisms behind Bitcoin, and an expert perspective on digital currency's effect on the future of money and the economic implications of the Bitcoin revolution. In the same way that e-mail changed the way we transfer information, the decentralized Bitcoin network is about to revolutionize the business world, the legal profession, and even the role of the government. The Bitcoin Big Bang dives head first into this paradigm shift, allowing readers to: Explore the origins of digital currency; Learn the history and evolution of payment systems; Discover how the Bitcoin network is facilitating free and instant transfer of value; Understand the mining of Bitcoin, and how to invest. The digital currency revolution has implications that spread far beyond the finance industry. Anyone who exchanges payment for goods and services is on the cusp of the next big push in societal evolution, and only an understanding of the technology and a clear knowledge of the systems and behaviors at play can fully prepare us for the changes to come. The Bitcoin Big Bang is the go-to guide, helping those who use money use it better.
Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
Finance is the language of business and as technological disruption accelerates, a fundamental change is under way. This presents both opportunities and challenges for current-day organizations and finance professionals alike. Money makes the world go around, they say; but digital money not only makes the world go around, it does it in a decentralized fashion. Because the currencies are decentralized, with the right mix of technology the opportunities that emerge are noteworthy and emerge as a game changer for financial institutions. This book shows many different aspects, examples, and regulations of cryptocurrencies through its underpinning technology of blockchain in the present-day digital era. The diversity of the authors who sum up this book signify the importance of implementation in the digitized economy. It is divided into four main sections, with topics on Bitcoin, blockchain and digital returns, impact of cryptocurrencies in gaming, and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Blockchain Hurricane: The Origins, Application, and Future of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Blockchain and crypto assets are crucial to the emerging Metaverse and the development of Web 3 infrastructure. This clear and engaging book gives you a straightforward introduction to the technology and its application, enabling the C-suite to make informed strategic decisions and grasp future opportunities.
Blockchain Hurricane unlocks the mysteries of blockchain for C-suite decision makers, MBA and Masters students. It includes: A clear, non-technical guide to the language of blockchain, cryptocurrency and distributed ledgers. An insight into the development of cryptocurrencies, the technology which makes them work, and why this is exciting for enterprise. Real life examples of blockchain applications in supply chains, insurance, financial services, utilities, large scale capital projects, and government. Innovative ideas for economic growth emerging from gaming. An overview of future opportunities and perceived threats.
A Critical Appraisal of Initial Coin Offerings: Lifting the Digital Token's Veil
In A Critical Appraisal of Initial Coin Offerings: Lifting the "Digital Token's Veil", Dominika Nestarcova examines the regulatory treatment of initial coin offerings (ICOs), a novel form of raising capital, where start-up companies issue blockchain-based assets ('digital tokens') to the public in return for a payment. The ICO model promises to utilize blockchain technology to enforce financial contracting via the underlying code, thereby substituting the traditional securities regulation. Dominika Nestarcova provides an in-depth analysis of this promise by examining the nature of digital tokens, the process, underlying benefits and risks to the model and the current state of the ICO regulation with an aim to uncover how the self-regulatory promise offered by ICOs lives up the expectations.
Cryptocurrency All-In-One for Dummies
Learn the skills to get in on the crypto-craze The world of cryptocurrency includes some of the coolest technologies and most lucrative investments available today. You can jump right into the middle of the action with Cryptocurrency All-in-One For Dummies, a collection of simple and straightforward resources that will get you up to speed on cryptocurrency investing and mining, blockchain, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. Stop scouring a million different places on the web and settle in with this one-stop compilation of up-to-date and reliable info on what's been called the "21st century gold rush." Whether you're just looking for some fundamental knowledge about how cryptocurrency works, or you're ready to put some money into the markets, you'll find what you need in one of the five specially curated resources included in this book. Cryptocurrency All-in-One For Dummies will help you: Gain an understanding of how cryptocurrency works and the blockchain technologies that power cryptocurrency. Find out if you're ready to invest in the cryptocurrency market and how to make smart decisions with your cash. Build a cryptocurrency mining rig out of optimized and specifically chosen computing hardware. Dive into the details of leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Perfect for anyone curious and excited about the potential that's been unlocked by the latest in cryptocurrency tech, this book will give you the foundation you need to become a savvy cryptocurrency consumer, investor, or miner before you know it.
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies
While the cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility-and this volatility is often linked to the ever-changing regulatory environment of the industry - the entire cryptocurrency market is expected to reach a total value of $1 trillion this year. If you want to get in on the action, this book shows you how. Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies offers trusted guidance on how to make money trading and investing in the top 200 digital currencies, no matter what the market sentiment. You'll find out how to navigate the new digital finance landscape and choose the right cryptocurrency for different situations with the help of real-world examples that show you how to maximize your cryptocurrency wallet. Understand how the cryptocurrency market works. Find best practices for choosing the right cryptocurrency. Explore new financial opportunities. Choose the right platforms to make the best investments. This book explores the hot topics and market moving events affecting cryptocurrency prices and shows you how to develop the smartest investment strategies based on your unique risk tolerance.
Cryptocurrency Mining for Dummies
Find out the essentials of cryptocurrency mining. The cryptocurrency phenomenon has sparked a new opportunity mine for virtual gold, kind of like the prospectors of a couple centuries back. This time around, you need some tech know-how to get into the cryptocurrency mining game. This book shares the insight of two cryptocurrency insiders as they break down the necessary hardware, software, and strategies to mine Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, LiteCoin, and Dash. They also provide insight on how to stay ahead of the curve to maximize your return on investment. Get the tech tools and know-how to start mining. Pick the best cryptocurrency to return your investment.
Apply a sound strategy to stay ahead of the game. From the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain to selecting the best currency to mine, this easy-to-access book makes it easy to get started today!
Handbook of Digital Currency: Bitcoin, Innovation, Financial Instruments, and Big Data
Incorporating currencies, payment methods, and protocols that computers use to talk to each other, digital currencies are poised to grow in use and importance. The Handbook of Digital Currency gives readers a way to learn about subjects outside their specialties and provides authoritative background and tools for those whose primary source of information is journal articles. Taking a cross-country perspective, its comprehensive view of the field includes history, technicality, IT, finance, economics, legal, tax and regulatory environment. For those who come from different backgrounds with different questions in mind, The Handbook of Digital Currency is an essential starting point.
Money Code Space: Hidden Power in Bitcoin, Blockchain, and Decentralisation
Following the catastrophic events of the 2008 global financial crisis, an anonymous hacker released Bitcoin to claw back power from commercial and central banks. It quickly garnered an enthusiastic following who sought to forge a stable and democratic global economy--a world free from hierarchy and control. In their eyes, Bitcoin's underlying architecture, blockchain, hailed the dawn of decentralization. Money Code Space shatters these emancipatory claims. In their place, Jack Parkin constructs a new framework for revealing the geographies of power that lie behind blockchain networks. Drawing on first-hand experience in cryptocurrency communities and start-up companies from Silicon Valley to London, Parkin untangles the complex web of culture, politics, and economics that truly drive decentralization.
The Promise of Bitcoin: The Future of Money and How It Can Work for You
A financial revolution is materializing before our eyes. The way individuals, organizations, and governments conduct transactions—from purchasing a book online to acquiring major corporations to delivering billions in financial aid—will look vastly different in the near future. Bitcoin is spearheading this revolution and may be the best investment opportunity of our time, yet most people have yet to understand its promise. In this book, Bobby C. Lee, one of the earliest pioneers in the cryptocurrency space, debunks myths and dispels fears that surround Bitcoin, arguing that this rational, logical system is superior to traditional monetary systems. He cites signs of Bitcoin's widening acceptance: a growing community of users worldwide and multiple initiatives for investing in and holding Bitcoin among major financial services organizations and institutional investors who control trillions in assets. Lee offers a primer on the best strategies for investing in this digital currency, the value of which will only continue to grow. He discusses the pros and cons, and covers the complicated yet more profitable method of acquiring Bitcoin - mining. He offers predictions for the future, including price, trajectory, use, and participation in the larger economy—as well as developments in regulation, technology, business, and society.
Understanding Bitcoin: Cryptography, Engineering and Economics
Discover Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that has the finance world buzzing Bitcoin is arguably one of the biggest developments in finance since the advent of fiat currency. With Understanding Bitcoin, expert author Pedro Franco provides finance professionals with a complete technical guide and resource to the cryptography, engineering and economic development of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This comprehensive, yet accessible work fully explores the supporting economic realities and technological advances of Bitcoin, and presents positive and negative arguments from various economic schools regarding its continued viability. This authoritative text provides a step-by-step description of how Bitcoin works, starting with public key cryptography and moving on to explain transaction processing, the blockchain and mining technologies. This vital resource reviews Bitcoin from the broader perspective of digital currencies and explores historical attempts at cryptographic currencies. Bitcoin is, after all, not just a digital currency; it's a modern approach to the secure transfer of value using cryptography. This book is a detailed guide to what it is, how it works, and how it just may jumpstart a change in the way digital value changes hands. Understand how Bitcoin works, and the technology behind it. Delve into the economics of Bitcoin, and its impact on the financial industry. Discover alt-coins and other available cryptocurrencies. Explore the ideas behind Bitcoin 2.0 technologies. Learn transaction protocols, micropayment channels, atomic cross-chain trading, and more. Bitcoin challenges the basic assumption under which the current financial system rests: that currencies are issued by central governments, and their supply is managed by central banks. To fully understand this revolutionary technology, Understanding Bitcoin is a uniquely complete, reader-friendly guide.