Cryptofinance

Abstract

Cryptography is about communication in the presence of an adversary. Cryptofinance is the efficient exchange of ownership, the verification of ownership, as well as the ability to algorithmically design conditional contracts, all with security, privacy, and minimal trust without using centralized institutions. Our current financial system is ripe for disruption. At a swipe of a debit or credit card, we are at risk (think of Target’s breach of 40 million cards). The cost of transacting using traditional methods is enormous and will increase in the future. Cryptofinance offers some solutions. This paper explores the mechanics of cryptofinance and a number of applications including bitcoin. Also attached is a slide deck that I use in my graduate course.

Keywords: Cryptofinance, Bitcoin, Bubbles, Block chain, Blockchain, Cryptography, Mining, Proof of Work, Hash, Deflation, Nonce, SHA-256, Merkle tree, DSA, Private Key, Public Key, Key Pair, Wallet, BTC

JEL Classification: A10, C00, D00, E00, F00, G00, H00, I00, J00, K00, L00, M00, N00, O1, P00, Q00, R00, Z00