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Mr. Sejun Park, a doctoral student at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ in the area of Information Systems will be presenting his research proposal entitled:

Design and Impacts of Blockchain Technology

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Monday, June 17, 2024, at 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Student Committee Chair: ProfessorÌýAlain Pinsonneault

Please note that the presentation will be conducted virtually on Zoom. If you wish to attend the presentation, kindly reach out to the PhD Office for the Zoom link.

ABSTRACT:

Blockchain technology is a decentralized system designed to create robust, secure, and immutable records of transactions. It is touted as a disruptive technology, functioning as a software protocol for distributed databases, a versatile platform for digital applications, and a digital cash system for peer-to-peer transactions without central intermediaries. Despite its potential, several challenges have been identified across these functions. To address these issues, new designs have been developed. The three essays in this thesis examine these new designs and their impacts on blockchain technology's capabilities as a software protocol, a platform for digital applications, and a digital cash system. The first essay examines committee-based consensus protocols and their voting systems, which aim to enhance the efficiency and security of transaction verification. By distributing verification tasks to a group of users elected by their peers, these protocols aim to offer better efficiency and robustness compared to single-leader systems. The essay finds that the voting mechanisms within committee-based consensus protocols ensure efficiency and security through the processes of re-electing and demoting committee members. The second essay investigates the integration of social network applications into blockchain platforms and their impact on the fairness and effectiveness of block validator selections. By enabling more interactive and participatory user experiences, social network applications aim to enhance user engagement and improve the overall fairness and effectiveness of block validator selections. However, the essay identifies challenges in maintaining fairness when social interactions influence relationships between users and block validators. The third essay examines Bitcoin ATMs and their impact on fraud in local areas. While Bitcoin ATMs offer significant benefits in terms of convenience and privacy, they also raise concerns about potential misuse for fraudulent activities and the challenges of operating without a central intermediary. This essay aims to find whether there is a significant link between Bitcoin ATMs and local fraud, and how local legislators can mitigate potential negative outcomes. Collectively, these essays contribute to the literature by identifying challenges and opportunities in realizing the potential of blockchain technology. They provide insights into how new designs can impact blockchain capabilities as a software protocol, a platform for digital applications, and a digital cash system. These essays advance our understanding of blockchain technology's design and impacts, offering valuable perspectives on addressing limitations and leveraging its capabilities.