Blockchain technology and initial coin offerings: a legislative & business challenge

Abstract

(eng)Technological advancement across our digital planet continues to take place at an exponential rate. Blockchain technology and distributed ledger networks are considered one of the most transformative technologies since the invention of the Internet and an important breakthrough that is changing how business is executed nowadays. There is, therefore, a clear need to understand which its uses are and how legislations are facing this worldwide invention. This Final Project presents a comprehensive analysis of blockchain technology. It will provide an overview of blockchain and cryptocurrency, before focusing on Initial Coin Offerings, a method of raising capital or participating in investment opportunities using blockchain technology. Initial Coin Offerings (or ICO’s) are said to be either a valuable innovation or a dangerous bubble. This assignment will try to depict that dilemma with the aim to clarify which alternative is more reasonable to believe in. Furthermore, it will consider a thorough explanation of legislative challenges and recent law enforcements regarding blockchain technology and ICOs. It will be explained how some countries and organizations are regulating the phenomenon and why uniformity and clarity is not a feature of its legislation.