Trust Machines for TrustlessNess (TruMaN): The Impact of Distributed Trust on the Configuration of Blockchain Ecosystems

Funding Level: National

Funding Agency: Italian Ministry of University and Research.

Abstract:

Blockchain is widely regarded as a breakthrough innovation that may have profound impact on almost every sector of economy and society. While words like ‘trust machine’ and ‘trustlessness’ are used to invoke the revolutionary potential of blockchains, what trust in blockchain implies is still ill-understood. Understandings of trust have been limited to either human-based trust, or to technology or algorithmic trust. However, as we move towards agreement that blockchains are complex socio-technical (eco)systems capable of revolutionizing the relational and contractual base of human transactions, there is need of an integrated perspective on the multiple dimensions of trust involved in blockchains, a process-based view of their interplay, and a careful analysis of their impact on the emergence of blockchain use cases.

The main goal of this project is to understand how blockchain stakeholders contribute to distributed trust in blockchain ecosystems and with what impact on the ecosystems’ configuration in terms of governance, participation, regulatory attempts, and technology adoption and use. Case studies will be conducted in sectors that the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the OCSE consider of strategic importance. The project contributes to management and organization research by theorizing about distributed system trust processes in blockchain ecosystems. Also, the project intends to contribute to legal studies by analyzing multiple cases of regulatory efforts in different blockchain spheres and by formulating recommendations about future regulatory interventions.

DiSA role: Partner - Local Unit

DiSA Team Leader: Elisa Villani

DiSA Team members: Rosa Grimaldi

Project's Coordinator: Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Other participants: Università del Molise

Start date: 28/09/2023 - End date: 27/09/2025

Total project cost: 286.046 euro

Funded by European Union - Next Generation EU