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Terminology explained

The following definitions provide a foundational understanding of key terms in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. Sources of each definition are provided for more information.

Blockchain
a blockchain is "a type of shared database that differs from a typical database in the way it stores information; blockchains store data in blocks linked together via cryptography." This structure ensures that once data is recorded, it becomes part of an immutable chain, enhancing security and transparency. Investopedia
FinTech
The integration of technology into offerings by financial services companies to improve their use and delivery to consumers. IMDb
Cryptocurrency
Any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually has no central issuing or regulating authority but instead uses a decentralized system to record transactions and manage the issuance of new units, and that relies on cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent transactions."  Merriam-Webster
Decentralized Exchange (DEX)
A peer-to-peer platform that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies directly without needing an intermediary.
Digital Wallet:
A digital wallet, also known as an e-wallet, is an electronic device, online service, or software program that allows individuals to make electronic transactions, including purchasing items online or at physical stores. It can store payment information, passwords, and other personal data, facilitating quick and secure transactions. Wikipedia
Tokenization
Tokenization refers to the process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain. This allows for the digital representation of physical assets, enabling easier transfer, ownership, and management within a digital ecosystem. McKinsey & Company
Digital Assets:
Digital assets are any content or media formatted into a binary source and include the right to use. In financial technology, digital assets encompass cryptocurrencies, tokens, and other digital rights or products that exist in a digital form and are typically managed on a blockchain.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
A financial system that operates on a decentralized blockchain network, enabling peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries. Fintech Market
Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO)
A governance structure without a central authority, which operates through smart contracts on a blockchain and is managed by its community members. CompTIA Connect
Stablecoin
A type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a reserve asset like a fiat currency or a commodity. Forbes

Bibliography

Highly cited articles related to the specified topics, along with their complete citations and links to their full-text documents:

Blockchain

  1. Zheng, Z., Xie, S., Dai, H., Chen, X., & Wang, H. (2018). An Overview of Blockchain Technology: Architecture, Consensus, and Future Trends. IEEE International Congress on Big Data, 557-564.
  2. Xu, X., Weber, I., & Staples, M. (2019). Architecture for Blockchain Applications. Springer. Full Text
  3. Casino, F., Dasaklis, T. K., & Patsakis, C. (2019). A Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain-Based Applications: Current Status, Classification and Open Issues. Telematics and Informatics, 36, 55-81. Full Text

 

FinTech

  1. Gomber, P., Koch, J.-A., & Siering, M. (2017). Digital Finance and FinTech: Current Research and Future Research Directions. Journal of Business Economics, 87(5), 537-580. Full Text
  2. Thakor, A. V. (2020). Fintech and Banking: What Do We Know? Journal of Financial Intermediation, 41, 100833. 
  3. Lee, I., & Shin, Y. J. (2018). Fintech: Ecosystem, Business Models, Investment Decisions, and Challenges. Business Horizons, 61(1), 35-46. 

 

Cryptocurrencies

  1. Foley, S., Karlsen, J. R., & Putniņš, T. J. (2019). Sex, Drugs, and Bitcoin: How Much Illegal Activity Is Financed through Cryptocurrencies? The Review of Financial Studies, 32(5), 1798-1853. 
  2. Corbet, S., Lucey, B., Urquhart, A., & Yarovaya, L. (2019). Cryptocurrencies as a Financial Asset: A Systematic Analysis. International Review of Financial Analysis, 62, 182-199.  
  3. Auer, R., & Claessens, S. (2018). Regulating Cryptocurrencies: Assessing Market Reactions. BIS Quarterly Review, September. 

 

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)

  1. Hassan, S., & De Filippi, P. (2021). Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Beyond the Bubble. Internet Policy Review, 10(2). 
  2. Wright, A., & De Filippi, P. (2015). Decentralized Blockchain Technology and the Rise of Lex Cryptographia. SSRN Electronic Journal. 
  3. Jentzsch, C. (2016). Decentralized Autonomous Organization to Automate Governance. White Paper. 

 

Sustainability and Carbon Credit

  1. Kouhizadeh, M., & Sarkis, J. (2018). Blockchain Practices, Potentials, and Perspectives in Greening Supply Chains. Sustainability, 10(10), 3652. 
  2. Chen, Y. (2018). Blockchain Tokens and the Potential Democratization of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Business Horizons, 61(4), 567-575. Full Text
  3. Tapscott, D., & Tapscott, A. (2017). How Blockchain Will Change Organizations. MIT Sloan Management Review, 58(2), 10. 

 

Tokenization

  1. Chiu, J., & Koeppl, T. V. (2019). The Economics of Cryptocurrencies–Bitcoin and Beyond. Bank of Canada Staff Working Paper No. 2017-40. 
  2. Allen, D. W. E., Berg, C., Markey-Towler, B., Novak, M., & Potts, J. (2020). Blockchain and the Evolution of Institutional Technologies: Implications for Innovation Policy. Research Policy, 49(1), 103865. 
  3. Gans, J. S., & Halaburda, H. (2015). Some Economics of Private Digital Currency. In Economic Analysis of the Digital Economy (pp. 257–276). University of Chicago Press.