Blockchains in the real world: an interdisciplinary perspective on enchancing security and adoption

Ramos, Simona

Blockchains in the real world: an interdisciplinary perspective on enchancing security and adoption

Document Type

Doctoral thesis
Published Version

Author

Ramos, Simona

Director

Pianese, Fabio
Oliveras, Ester

Publication Date

2024-03-18

Pages

152 p.

Citation

Ramos, S. Blockchains in the real world: an interdisciplinary perspective on enchancing security and adoption. Universitat Pompeu Fabra; 2024. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/691771

This citation was generated automatically.

Doctoral program

Programa de Doctorat en Tecnologies de la Informació i les Comunicacions

Abstract

This thesis investigates the complex nature of the blockchain ecosystem, where technology, law, and economics intersect across layers and applications. By offering an interdisciplinary perspective on blockchains, we seek to understand both their potential as well as their vulnerabilities. With a specific emphasis on blockchain cybersecurity, this thesis sheds a light to the diverse attack vectors targeting cryptocurrencies, blockchains, and associated entities, aiming to evaluate their economic impact using publicly available data. Furthermore, the study delves into the legal and regulatory frameworks pertinent to blockchains and crypto-assets, recognizing and addressing the technical limitations that impede regulatory intervention. We explore the economic and cybersecurity challenges associated with MEV, including practices like front-running and sandwich attacks, which are deemed illegal in traditional financial markets. The thesis also analyses smart contracts, examining their complex relationships with users and the resulting ’information gap’. Finally, we explore the blockchain’s potential as a normative tool, facilitating disintermediation and transparency in multifaceted use cases, such as AI applications and renewable energy communities.
Aquesta tesi investiga la naturalesa complexa de l’ecosistema blockchain, on la tecnologia, el dret i l’economia es creuen entre capes i aplicacions. En oferir una perspectiva interdisciplinària sobre les cadenes de blocs, busquem entendre tant el seu potencial com les seves vulnerabilitats. Amb un èmfasi espec ́ıfic en la ciberseguretat de blockchain, aquesta tesi il.lumina diversos vectors d’atac dirigits a criptomonedes, blockchains i entitats associades, amb l’objectiu d’avaluar el seu impacte econòmic mitjanc ̧ant dades disponibles públicament. A més, l’estudi aprofundeix en els marcs legals i reglamentaris pertinents a les cadenes de blocs i els criptoactius, reconeixent i abordant les limitacions tècniques que impedeixen la intervencioó reguladora. L’estudi explora els contractes intel.ligents, examinant les seves complexes relacions amb els usuaris i el ‘buit d’informació resultant. Finalment, examinem el potencial de la cadena de blocs com a eina normativa, que facilita l’arbitratge, la desintermediació i la millora de la ciberseguretat en casos d’uús multifacètics, com ara les aplicacions d’IA i els mercats d’energies renovables.