In Paolo Tasca's article, "The Hope and Betrayal of Blockchain," he delves into the transformative potential of blockchain technology, which promises to decentralise economic transactions and redefine the conventional paradigms of trust, traditionally anchored by institutional entities. He elucidates how giants of the digital platform economy, such as Uber and Airbnb, have emerged as the modern custodians of trust, shaping digital identities and reputations.

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However, Tasca highlights that blockchain offers a revolutionary peer-to-peer model allowing users to construct trust and manage their digital identities autonomously, bypassing the need for intermediary entities. This innovative model is not without its quandaries, notably the challenge of preserving user trust as networks expand, often necessitating increased centralisation, undermining the core ethos of blockchain.

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Tasca draws attention to the concentration of power within a select group of developers and miners in predominant public blockchains, presenting profound governance challenges and bringing into question the credibility of blockchain as a trust mechanism. This presents a paradoxical choice between relying on centralised and accountable entities and a decentralised system operated by potentially unaccountable and obscure entities.

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He concludes with reflections on the prevailing trajectory of blockchain, stressing the imperative for robust foundational principles to underpin synthetic trust amongst peers and to forestall the fragmentation of the community.

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Read the full article here.

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