An Introduction to Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Initial Coin Offerings

21 Pages Posted: 12 Dec 2018 Last revised: 4 Jul 2019

See all articles by Jue Wang

Jue Wang

University of Auckland Business School

Cristiano Bellavitis

Syracuse University - Whitman School of Management

Carlos M. DaSilva

Thunderbird, School of Global Management; University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Economics

Date Written: November 20, 2018

Abstract

Blockchain is a revolutionary technology that allows people to record transactions on a digital, decentralised, distributed ledger, without any central authority. Some consider this technology as “the trust machine” and cryptocurrency is without doubt the most notable by-product of the blockchain revolution. Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is a new way to raise entrepreneurial finance, newly created cryptocurrencies are being sold to the public by startups in exchange of capital. This book chapter intends to clarify this phenomenon by explaining the concepts of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency and ICO, in order to provide valuable insights into this new trend of entrepreneurial finance.

Keywords: Cryptocurrency, ICO, Initial Coin Offering, Blockchain, Ethereum, Entrepreneurial Finance

JEL Classification: O16, O33, G15

Suggested Citation

Wang, Jue and Bellavitis, Cristiano and DaSilva, Carlos M., An Introduction to Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Initial Coin Offerings (November 20, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3288059

Jue Wang

University of Auckland Business School ( email )

12 Grafton Rd
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, 1010
New Zealand

Cristiano Bellavitis (Contact Author)

Syracuse University - Whitman School of Management ( email )

721 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2130
United States

Carlos M. DaSilva

Thunderbird, School of Global Management ( email )

15249 N 59th Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85306
United States

University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Economics ( email )

Kardeljeva ploscad 17
Ljubljana, 1000
Slovenia

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