Blockchain and Internet Governance

The blockchain burst onto the scene with the emergence of bitcoin in 2008. Since then, it has been hailed as a new institutional technology that promises to replace many of the functions traditionally performed by markets and governments. The Blockchain and Internet Governance project conducts cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research to address the links between blockchain and government, including democracy; the governance of blockchain; and the potential for blockchain to contribute to the greater good and to improve social welfare. Its scope is broad, considering the impact and governance of this new technology in global perspective. The project supports research, workshops, and conferences to bring together researchers in the Pittsburgh region, US, and globally to address key questions regarding the governance of blockchain and its practical applications.