The goal of this study is to identify the current application areas and some possible application areas for blockchain; blockchain is a distributed database that is currently most known for being the technology used for storing transaction information of digital currencies such as the Bitcoin. Through a literature review and interviews with domain experts, we identified some current application areas for blockchain, that is, money transactions, decentralized data and privacy protection, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO). Within the area of decentralized data and privacy protection, we further identified the two sub-areas of smart contracts and secure identities. In addition, we identified some possible application areas by conducting a second literature review. Some of these application areas are: storing mind files and human intelligence, on-line voting, supply chain management, stock trading, Internet of Things (IoT), and banking. The contribution of this study can be used for further studies through each of the above application areas in order to identify possible advantages and disadvantages.

Diese Dissertation hat zum Ziel, digitale Vermögenswerte statistisch zu durchleuchten und damit einen Beitrag zur Integration digitaler Vermögenswerte in die digitale Gesellschaft zu leisten. Die Kapitel dieser Arbeit lassen sich unter den Schlagworten Abbildung und Analyse der Marktdynamiken von digitalen Vermögenswerten, sowie Investitionen in digitale Vermögenswerte zusammenfassen. Das erste Kapitel, Abbildung der Marktdynamiken digitaler Vermögenswerte, evaluiert die derzeit existierenden Indizes für Kryptowährungen (KWen) sowohl qualitativ als auch quantitativ. Als Grundlage für die Analyse des KW-Sektors ist zunächst eine geeignete Abbildung von dessen Marktdynamiken nötig. Die schnelle Entwicklung des KW-Sektors, seine hohe Volatilität und das häufige Aufkommen und Verschwinden von KWen stellen die Emittenten von KW-Indizes vor Herausforderungen. Jeder Index geht mit diesen Herausforderungen anders um und so unterscheiden sich die methodischen Ansätze der Indizes ebenso wie ihre statistischen Eigenschaften. Das zweite Kapitel, Analyse der Marktdynamiken von digitalen Vermögenswerten, untersucht die Dynamiken des KW-Sektors. Damit sich der KW-Sektor etablieren und in die Finanzwelt integriert werden kann, müssen zunächst die zugrunde liegenden Dynamiken verstanden werden. Wir modellieren die nicht-stationären Renditen und deren Volatilität durch zwei stochastische Differentialgleichungen und schätzen deren Parameter auf Bayes’sche Weise. Dabei identifizieren wir verschiedene Muster des KW-Sektors in Bezug auf Renditen, Volatilität und Sprünge. Im dritten Kapitel, Investitionen in digitale Vermögenswerte, konstruieren wir einen ETF auf den CRIX (vgl. Trimborn and Härdle, 2018), einen Index für den KW-Sektor. Dabei beleuchten wir die zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen, identifizieren potentielle Risiken und schätzen die Kostenstruktur eines solchen KW-ETFs ab. Damit ebnen wir den Weg für die Implementierung dieses neuartigen Finanzprodukts. / This dissertation aims to shed light on the new asset class „digital assets“ from a statistical perspective and thus contributes to the integration of digital assets into the digital society. The chapters of this thesis can be summarized by the keywords tracking, understanding, and investing in digital assets. The first chapter, tracking digital assets, evaluates the currently existing cryptocurrency (CC) indices both qualitatively and quantitatively. As a basis for the analysis of the CC sector, it is first necessary to find an appropriate mapping of the market dynamics. The rapid development of the CC sector, its high volatility and the frequent emergence and disappearance of CCs pose challenges for the issuers of CC indices. Each index deals with these challenges differently, and so the methodological approaches of the indices differ, as do their statistical properties. The second chapter, understanding digital assets, examines the dynamics of the CC sector. For the CC sector to become established and integrated, the underlying dynamics must first be understood. Therefore, we model the non-stationary returns and volatility by two stochastic differential equations and estimate their parameters in a Bayesian manner. Thereby, we identify several patterns on the dynamics of the CC sector with respect to returns, volatility and jumps. The third chapter, investing in digital assets, aims to pave the way for the integration of digital assets into the financial sector. As investments in digital assets remain risky due to high volatility and frequent disappearance of CCs, ETFs are a suitable tool to invest in this sector. We construct an ETF on the CRIX (cf. Trimborn and Härdle, 2018), an index for the CC sector. In doing so, we reveal the underlying mechanisms, risks and costs of such a new financial product and pave the way for its implementation.

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como principal objetivo el analizar el uso del Bitcoin como medio de pago en el Perú. El bitcoin es un moneda digital o criptomoneda esta es intangible y virtual que sirve como medio de intercambio de bienes y servicios como cualquier otra cualquier moneda del mundo donde esta sea aceptada, esta como tal no cuenta con un número de serie u otro mecanismo que permita rastrear a los vendedores y compradores que emplean esta divisa electrónica . Con respecto a la metodología empleada, se escogió un enfoque cualitativo, de tipo aplicada, de diseño no experimental y de nivel exploratorio; limitando a analizar la opinión de seis docentes especialistas en las materias de economías, finanzas y de derecho, de cinco usuarios y cinco no usuarios de Bitcoin con el propósito de obtener respuesta al fenómeno de estudio. La técnica empleada es la entrevista y como instrumento la guía de entrevista de adaptación propia validada por expertos, posteriormente la información obtenida fue revisada e interpretada, donde se llegó a la conclusión que el uso del Bitcoin como medio de pago en el Perú es nulo y no viable de momento debido a una gran serie de factores como la falta de regulaciones monetarias y legales, de igual modo la no necesidad por parte de los peruanos de colocar en circulación un nuevo medio de pago como lo es el Bitcoin. / The main objective of this research work is to analyze the use of Bitcoin as a payment method in the Perú. Bitcoin is a digital currency or cryptocurrency this is intangible and virtual that serves as a means of exchanging goods and services like any other any currency in the world where it is accepted, it as such does not have a serial number or other mechanism that allows track sellers and buyers using this electronic currency. Regarding the methodology used, a qualitative approach was chosen, of an applied type, with a non-experimental design and an exploratory level; limiting to analyze the opinion of six professors specialized in the subjects of economics, finance and law, of five users and five non-users of Bitcoin with the purpose of obtaining a response to the study phenomenon. The technique used is the interview and as an instrument the self-adapted interview guide validated by experts, subsequently the information obtained was then reviewed and interpreted, where it was concluded that the use of Bitcoin as a means of payment in Peru is null and void and not viable at the moment due to a number of factors such as the lack of monetary and legal regulations, as well as the lack of need for Peruvians to put into circulation a new means of payment such as Bitcoin.

As the cryptocurrency markets continuously grow, so does the need for reliable analytical tools for price prediction. This study conducted a comparative analysis of machine learning (ML) algorithms for cryptocurrency price prediction. Through a literature review, three common and reliable ML algorithms for cryptocurrency price prediction were identified: Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Random Forest (RF), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Utilizing the Bitcoin All Time History dataset from TradingView, the study assessed both the individual performance of each algorithm and the potential of ensemble methods to enhance predictive accuracy. The results reveal that the LSTM algorithm outperformed RF and XGBoost in terms of predictive accuracy according to the metrics Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). Additionally, two ensemble approaches were tested: Ensemble 1, which enhanced the LSTM model with the combined predictions from RF and XGBoost, and Ensemble 2, which integrated predictions from all three models. Ensemble 2 demonstrated the highest predictive performance among all models, highlighting the advantages of using ensemble approaches for more robust predictions.

L’essor fulgurant des cryptomonnaies au cours des dernières années a propulsé à l’avant-plan la chaîne de blocs auprès du public. Exploitant l’anonymat et la décentralisation du système, les acteurs dans le monde criminel ont profité de la commodité de ces devises pour faciliter leurs activités. Compte tenu de leur popularité récente, les principes en droit criminel demeurent embryonnaires et la littérature peu développée à ce sujet. Ce mémoire vise à déterminer s’il existe une attente raisonnable de vie privée à l’égard de la chaîne de blocs et des cryptomonnaies. À travers une analyse prospective des fondements de l’article 8 de la Charte canadienne entourant les fouilles et les perquisitions, nous exposerons le cadre juridique applicable à l’égard de ces technologies. En raison de ses caractéristiques intrinsèques, la garantie juridique ne s’applique pas aux données répertoriées sur la chaîne de blocs. Cependant, la protection s’étend aux portefeuilles de cryptomonnaie étant donné la nature sensible de leur contenu. Nous examinerons finalement les différents mandats applicables lors d’une saisie de ces actifs. / Over the last few years, the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies has brought blockchain to the forefront of the public. Harnessing the network’s anonymous and decentralized power, criminals have been using cryptocurrencies to facilitate their activities. However, owing to its recent surge in popularity, principles within criminal law are still undergoing development and the existing literature on the subject remains thin. This thesis aims to determine whether there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Through a prospective analysis of the general principles on search and seizure, we will outline the analytical framework applicable to these technologies. Due to its intrinsic characteristics, the Canadian Charter does not confer protection to data stored on blockchain. However, the scope extends to cryptocurrency wallets due to its sensitive nature. We will also discuss the general and specific warrants used during a seizure of these assets.

The ideas and techniques of cryptography and decentralized storage have seen tremendous growth in many industries, as they have been adopted to improve activities in the organization. That called Blockchain technology, it provides an effective transparency solution. Generally, Blockchain has been used for digital currency or cryptocurrency since its inception. One of the best-known Blockchain protocols is Ethereum, which has invented the smart contract to enable Blockchain’s ability to execute a condition, rather than simply acting as storage. Applications that adopt this technology are called ‘Dapps’ or ‘decentralized applications’. However, there are ongoing arguments about synchronization associated with the system. System synchronization is currently extremely important for applications, because the waiting time for a transaction to be verified can cause dissatisfaction in the user experience. Several studies have revealed that privacy leakage occurs, even though the Blockchain provides a degree of security, as a result of the traditional transaction, which requires approval through an intermediate institution. For instance, a bank needs to process transactions via many constitution parties before receiving the final confirmation, which requires the user to wait for a considerable amount of time. This thesis describes the challenge of transaction synchronization between the user and smart contract, as well as the matter of a privacy strategy for the system and compliance. To approach these two challenges, the first task separates different events and evaluates the results compared to an alternative solution. This is done by testing the smart contract to find the best gas price result, which varies over time. In the Ethereum protocol, gas price is one of the best ways to decrease the transaction time to meet user expectations. The gas price is affected by the code structure and the network. In the smart contract, testing is run based on two cases, and solves platform issues such as runners and user experience and reduces costs. It has also been found that collecting the fee before participating in an auction can prevent the problem of runners. The second case aims to prove that freezing the amount of a bid is the best way to increase the user’s experience, and to achieve the better experience of an online auction. The second challenge mainly focuses on the privacy strategy and risk management for the platform, which involves identifying possible solutions for all risk situations, as well as detecting, forecasting and preventing them. Providing strategies, such as securing the smart contract structure, increasing the encryption method in the database, designing a term sheet and agreement, and authorization, help to prevent system vulnerabilities. Therefore, this research aims to improve and investigate an online auction platform by using a Blockchain smart contract to provide evocative user experiences. / Idéer och tekniker för kryptografi och decentraliserad lagring har haft en enorm tillväxt i många branscher, eftersom de har antagits för att förbättra verksamheten i organisationen. Den som kallas Blockchain-tekniken ger den en effektiv transparenslösning. Generellt har Blockchain använts för digital valuta eller cryptocurrency sedan starten. Ett av de mest kända Blockchainprotokollen är Ethereum, som har uppfunnit det smarta kontraktet för att möjliggöra Blockchains förmåga att utföra ett villkor, snarare än att bara fungera som lagring. Applikationer som använder denna teknik kallas 'Dapps' eller 'decentraliserade applikationer'. Det finns emellertid pågående argument om synkronisering associerad med systemet. Systemsynkronisering är för närvarande oerhört viktigt för applikationer, eftersom väntetiden för att en transaktion ska verifieras kan orsaka missnöje i användarupplevelsen. Flera studier har visat att sekretessläckage inträffar, även om Blockchain ger en viss säkerhet, till följd av den traditionella transaktionen, som kräver godkännande genom en mellaninstitution. Till exempel måste en bank bearbeta transaktioner via många konstitutionspartier innan den får den slutliga bekräftelsen, vilket kräver att användaren väntar en betydande tid. Den här avhandlingen beskriver utmaningen med transaktionssynkronisering mellan användaren och smart kontrakt, samt frågan om en sekretessstrategi för systemet och efterlevnad. För att närma sig dessa två utmaningar separerar den första uppgiften olika händelser och utvärderar resultaten jämfört med en alternativ lösning. Detta görs genom att testa det smarta kontraktet för att hitta det bästa gasprisresultatet, som varierar över tiden. I Ethereum-protokollet är gaspriset ett av de bästa sätten att minska transaktionstiden för att möta användarens förväntningar. Gaspriset påverkas av kodstrukturen och nätverket. I det smarta kontraktet körs test baserat på två fall och löser plattformsproblem som löpare och användarupplevelse och minskar kostnaderna. Det har också visat sig att insamlingen av avgiften innan du deltar i en auktion kan förhindra löparproblemet. Det andra fallet syftar till att bevisa att frysning av budbeloppet är det bästa sättet att öka användarens upplevelse och att uppnå en bättre upplevelse av en online auktion. Den andra utmaningen fokuserar huvudsakligen på sekretessstrategin och riskhanteringen för plattformen, som innebär att identifiera möjliga lösningar för alla risksituationer, samt att upptäcka, förutse och förhindra dem. Tillhandahållande av strategier, som att säkra den smarta kontraktsstrukturen, öka krypteringsmetoden i databasen, utforma ett termblad och avtal och godkännande, hjälper till att förhindra systemets sårbarheter. Därför syftar denna forskning till att förbättra och undersöka en online-auktionsplattform genom att använda ett smart avtal med Blockchain för att ge upplevande användarupplevelser.

Les informations relatives aux cryptomonnaies sont susceptibles de changer à l'avenir tant cette matière est nouvelle et encore peu ancrée dans le droit. Ce mémoire est une réflexion sur l'essor du Bitcoin et des cryptomonnaies à leurs débuts, alors même que le droit cherche à s'accaparer ces nouvelles technologies, à les intégrer dans son système préexistant. / Les cryptomonnaies sont des monnaies numériques, qui se sont développées hors de tout contrôle étatique et qui fonctionnent de manière décentralisée. Bien qu’étant encore à leurs balbutiements, ces cryptomonnaies, à l’instar du Bitcoin, soulèvent de nombreuses questions juridiques. Dans ce mémoire, seront analysées les différentes définitions qui pourraient inclure la cryptomonnaie, avant de nous concentrer sur la définition de la monnaie numérique. Ensuite, seront étudiés, les aspects criminogènes des cryptomonnaies et la volonté des États d’avoir un certain contrôle sur celles-ci. Puis après nous être concentré sur la fiscalité applicable aux monnaies numériques, il sera nécessaire d’examiner l’étendue de la protection des consommateurs, dans leurs rapports aux cryptomonnaies. Pour ce faire nous nous appuierons, entre autre, sur les lois canadiennes, françaises et américaines. Toutefois vous vous en rendrez-compte, les cryptomonnaies n’ont pas encore été totalement englobés dans les systèmes juridiques des trois pays étudiés, et les tribunaux n’ont été saisis que dans très peu d’affaires relatives aux monnaies numériques, ce qui implique que de nombreuses incertitudes juridiques persistent à l’heure actuelle. / Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies which developped outside of state control. They function in a purely decentralized manner. Although they are only at an early stage, those cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, raise many legal issues. In this article we will analyze different definitions which might include cryptocurrencies, before focusing on the definition of digital currencies. Therefore we will study the criminal aspects of cryptocurrencies and the willingness of the states to gain a certain control over them. Then, after focusing on the taxes applying to digital currencies, it is necessary to examine the extent of the consumer’s protection while dealing with cryptocurrencies. In order to do this, we will rely, among others, on Canadian, French and American laws. As you will notice by yourselves the cryptocurrencies have not yet been fully encompassed within the legal systems of those three countries, and as the courts have only been seized in very few cases relating to digital currencies, you will find that many legal uncertainties currently persist.

The Swedish central bank has in 2018 launched an investigation into what a digital e-currency in Sweden would look like. Tendermint is being investigated for a potential implementation. Tendermint is a blockchain building environment which has its own consensus-algorithm, and its own solution to the Byzantine general's problem. The most relevant part is the scalability and reliability of Tendermint. To do this we tested out the software by sending transactions between our computers, and recorded its performance in the case of one node and two nodes. After a series of simulations, we then come to the conclusion that indeed Tendermint is a suitable software for a potential e-krona.

Submitted by Brendan Anson Pritchard (bpanson@gmail.com) on 2018-07-10T20:41:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertation-BrendanAnsonV9-1.pdf: 1258557 bytes, checksum: caaaf9518533df66f6b50493f6cecda6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Simone de Andrade Lopes Pires (simone.lopes@fgv.br) on 2018-07-10T23:09:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertation-BrendanAnsonV9-1.pdf: 1258557 bytes, checksum: caaaf9518533df66f6b50493f6cecda6 (MD5) / Rejected by Isabele Garcia (isabele.garcia@fgv.br), reason: Prezado Brendan, Sua submissão foi rejeitada porque é necessário incluir a ficha catalográfica que foi enviada pela biblioteca, no documento PDF. A ficha deve ser anexada no verso da folha de rosto, alterando apenas o número de folhas do trabalho. As demais informações devem ser mantidas, assim como a informação sobre o profissional responsável por sua elaboração. Por gentileza, realize essa alteração e envie sua submissão novamente no Repositório Digital. Qualquer dúvida, não hesite em nos contatar. (11) 3799-7732. Atenciosamente, Isabele Garcia on 2018-07-11T20:16:39Z (GMT) / Submitted by Brendan Anson Pritchard (bpanson@gmail.com) on 2018-07-11T20:55:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertation-BrendanAnsonV9-1.pdf: 1286517 bytes, checksum: bfafb586060f6c84a656ffa94abe7cae (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Simone de Andrade Lopes Pires (simone.lopes@fgv.br) on 2018-07-11T21:06:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertation-BrendanAnsonV9-1.pdf: 1286517 bytes, checksum: bfafb586060f6c84a656ffa94abe7cae (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Isabele Garcia (isabele.garcia@fgv.br) on 2018-07-11T21:20:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertation-BrendanAnsonV9-1.pdf: 1286517 bytes, checksum: bfafb586060f6c84a656ffa94abe7cae (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-11T21:20:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertation-BrendanAnsonV9-1.pdf: 1286517 bytes, checksum: bfafb586060f6c84a656ffa94abe7cae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-29 / The study examines the risk and reward potential of arbitrage in the digital asset market. Specifically, it looks at exchange to exchange and statistical arbitrage, or pairs trading, for the cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC). In this instance they are traded on the LTC/BTC pair. The LTC/BTC is examined with pairs trading by performing statistical tests and implementing automated trading strategy to determine potential profit levels. Subsequently, additional trading strategies are examined based on the concepts of the statistical results in this study and other technical analysis indicators. The study outlines the profit potential of exchange to exchange arbitrage but also shows how this type of arbitrage is in fact quite risky and not as simple as the large spreads would suggest. Pairs trading strategies are instead put forward as a method of profiting on the price movement disparities in the digital asset market without running the same risks as exchange to exchange arbitrage. The strategies proposed are based on statistical tests as well as technical analysis indicators that both aim at predicting price trend and direction and try to profit off abnormal price movements and subsequent normalization. It turns out that a range of profit levels can be achieved. All though the strategies proposed are too rudimentary to consider for live trading, they do prove the basic proof of concept that there are ways to profit from pairs trading in the digital asset market. Trading strategies can be formed that provide considerable returns while reducing risk that would otherwise be encountered with long term investment positions and/or exchange to exchange arbitrage in the digital asset market. / O seguinte estudo examina o potencial de risco e recompensa de arbitragem no mercado de ativos digitais. Especificamente, analisa a arbitragem entre bolsas de cryptomoeda e arbitragem estatística, ou pairs trading, para as cryptomoedas, Bitcoin (BTC) e Litecoin (LTC). Neste caso, elas são negociadas no par LTC/BTC. O LTC/BTC é examinado em pares e negociadas por meio da realização de testes estatísticos e implementando a estratégia de negociação automatizada para determinar os níveis potenciais de lucro. Subsequentemente, estratégias adicionais de negociação são examinadas com base nos conceitos dos resultados estatísticos deste estudo e outros indicadores de análise técnica. O estudo delineia o potencial de lucro de arbitragem entre bolsas, mas também mostra como esse tipo de arbitragem é, na verdade, bastante arriscado e não tão simples quanto as grandes margens sugeririam. Estratégias de negociação em pares são apresentadas como um método de lucrar com as disparidades de movimento de preços no mercado de ativos digitais, sem correr os mesmos riscos que a troca por arbitragem de câmbio. As estratégias propostas baseiam-se em testes estatísticos, assim como em indicadores de análise técnica que visam prever a direção e a tendência do preço e tentar lucrar com movimentos ou tempos anormais de preços e normalização subsequente. Ficou comprovado que diferentes de níveis de lucro podem ser alcançados. Embora as estratégias propostas sejam rudimentares demais para serem consideradas para negociação com dinheiro vivo, elas provam o conceito básico de que existem maneiras de lucrar com a negociação de pares no mercado de ativos digitais. Estratégias de negociação podem ser formadas, proporcionando retornos consideráveis e, ao mesmo tempo, reduzindo o risco de que outra forma seja encontrada em posições de investimento de longo prazo e / ou em troca de arbitragem de câmbio no mercado de ativos digitais.

The main aim of this diploma thesis is to find out how the Czech printed media face relatively new and complex phenomenon that emerged in the monetary sphere - virtual currency bitcoin. Through the means of quantitative content analysis, all printed titles showing relevant references to bitcoin between the years 2009 and 2016 were examined. The thesis is divided into several chapters. The theoretical part contains different media concepts dealing with the agenda-setting, the creation of a media portrayal and the construction of social reality through mass media. From a theoretical point of view, the cryptocurrency bitcoin was also subject for detailed analysis. The following methodological part of the thesis introduces the main objective of research, research questions and research design. The analytical part provides a clear overview of the results obtained, then interpreted and compared with predetermined hypothesis. The overview of collected findings about the media image of the virtual currency bitcoin in the Czech press are summarized in the conclusion. The thesis is the first paper to deal with the issues of the virtual currency bitcoin from the point of view of media discourse in the Czech Republic, and its ambition was to gather completely new information on this topic.