EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/N015525/1
Title: CREDIT: Cryptocurrency Effects in Digital Transformations
Principal Investigator: Maull, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Plans, Dr D Mulligan, Dr CEA
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr P Godsiff
Project Partners:
Department: Business
Organisation: University of Surrey
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 February 2016 Ends: 31 July 2017 Value (£): 396,170
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Human Communication in ICT Human-Computer Interactions
Information & Knowledge Mgmt
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Communications Financial Services
Healthcare Energy
Information Technologies Transport Systems and Vehicles
Technical Consultancy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This research will consider the research issues emerging from crypto currencies eg Bitcoin and their associated underlying technology, the block chain.

The Bank of England in its recent report on Digital Currencies suggest that although there are many innovations that are either an innovation in the payment system (M-Pesa) or the currency (Bristol £), digital currencies represent an innovation in both payment and currency.

Digital currencies that are based on cryptographic protocols are termed crypto-currencies. These allow end-users to operate a financial system "without trust in third-parties" (Weber, 2014) through the use of a distributed public ledger. These systems are are technologically innovative and potentially extremely disruptive not only of money and payment systems, but also of centralised structures of control, recording and validation.

This research aims to investigate the phenomena of crypto-currencies grouped around 4 main themes, digital transformations, privacy, community and institutions; themes which are closely inter-related through the issue of "currency" and present wide ranging research opportunities.

The outcomes of the research will be

Policy documents for various stakeholders including central and local government, industry bodies such as techUK, research agencies etc.

A methodology for those companies engaged in incorporating crypto-currencies and blockchain technologies within their products and services. The methodology will be a step-step guide of the issues to be considered at each phase and will address both start-ups and incumbents.

A number of small pilot studies examining the potential impacts of crypto-currencies

A community of academic researchers and professionals able to develop the research area

Support for the DE theme in developing future calls in crypto currencies.

A compilation and dissemination of evidence of impact from the projects, identifying risks and opportunities for the UK.

Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.surrey.ac.uk