Blockchain, also often referred to as decentralized ledger technology have gained popularity both overseas and in the US from a broad spectrum of parties. Venture capital firms, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 enterprises, and governments have taken note of this transformative technology potential. Despite the technological innovation, legal concerns persist particularly involving cryptocurrencies and their potential illicit use for money laundering and funding sanctioned regimes and actors. Meanwhile, federal and state regulators have not adopted blockchain specific rules, and instead have sought to apply existing regulation to this new technology. While this is not a technology course, we will explore some of the fundamental tenants of the tech, its current applications (however limited they may be), legal structures and challenges, and potential future applications.
