Edward Elgar Publishing Elgar Encyclopedia of Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and DLT (Elgar Encyclopedias in the Social Sciences series)

This illuminating Encyclopedia presents a comprehensive overview of cryptocurrencies, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, clarifying developing terminology in order to provide a key reference point for navigating this evolving domain. This Encyclopedia not only documents an ecosystem in flux, but it also builds a shared language capable of supporting responsible innovation and governance. It defines core terms such as decentralized, token and smart contract, providing necessary insights into foundational technologies including blockchain architectures, cryptographic mechanisms and distributed consensus protocols. Contributing authors highlight topics of debate, such as NFTs and sandwich attacks, creating a framework for further inquiry. The Elgar Encyclopedia of Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and DLT is an essential resource for scholars and students of economics, finance, business and management, innovation and technology. It is also beneficial for policymakers and technology practitioners who are interested in navigating decentralized futures with conceptual precision. Key Features: Adopts technical, historical, philosophical and social perspectives Situates terms in their broader technical and sociopolitical contexts Presents curated, peer-reviewed and contextually grounded entries Contains entries that are not only scholarly and technical, but also concise and accessible