Beyond the hype—the actual use of blockchain in government

Abstract

The last few years have seen considerable hype around blockchain technology, as well as promises about what it might offer to society, and its challenges to policymakers. Beyond this hype, what is known about the uses of blockchain in government? What can we learn from actual uses of blockchain for public policy? A recent review of the literature on blockchain concluded that the overwhelming majority of studies are still theoretical, and that empirical data on real applications of blockchain are only just starting to emerge. In this light, this Special Issue brings together papers that include insights into actual experiences of blockchain in government, focusing on questions such as blockchain's real benefits, costs and risks, and public policy responses. All the papers included go beyond a purely theoretical approach to blockchain and offer some insight into what we know - or do not know - about the reality of blockchain in government. Papers deal with blockchain technologies implemented in different countries, at distinct levels of government, and in various sectors. In all cases, an effort is made to extract findings and conclusions towards the challenge of thinking about how best policy can be designed and applied to make the best, and minimising the risks and costs, of this new, disruptive technology.