De Gruyter Handbook of Blockchain and Society

Blockchain technology has the potential to influence many aspects of society, including the way we conduct business, manage our personal lives, and interact with one another. It might revolutionise diverse activities such as medicine, financial regulation, supply chain integrity, property and art markets, voting, and many more. The central concerns of blockchain have for many been on matters such as cryptocurrencies and decentralised finance, and while they are important, the social and cultural aspects of blockchain will be even more significant. This will become apparent as people seek robust ways to conduct life in an uncertain world, with automation becoming a crucial part of this shift. For example, we will see smart cities incorporating blockchain and artificial intelligence; increased mobility of people will demand better and secure access to medical, and other private, records around the world; and essential utilities will require transparent means of distribution. This handbook is an interdisciplinary reference work which brings together social, legal, cultural, arts, ethics, politics, and health perspectives in alliance with blockchain. With contributions by leading scholars, this timely volume explores the theoretical, substantive, and methodological aspects of blockchain by situating the chapters in the phenomena of the everyday world.