Trust in established institutions is collapsing. Is blockchain the solution, a symptom that will make the problem worse, a fantasy, or something else entirely? Wharton professor Kevin Werbach, author of The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust, offers a balanced analysis of blockchain’s potential, as well as its limitations and what it will take to overcome them. He explains how law, regulation, and governance are, surprisingly, essential for blockchain to reach its potential.

Bio: Kevin Werbach is associate professor of Legal Studies at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. His work examines the intersection of business, policy, and emerging technologies in areas such as broadband, big data, and blockchain. Werbach served on the Obama Administration’s Presidential Transition Team, founded the Supernova Group (a technology conference and consulting firm), helped develop the U.S. government’s approach to internet policy while at the Federal Communications Commission, and created one of the most successful massive open online courses, with over 400,000 enrollments. His books include For the Win: How Game Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Business and the forthcoming The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust.

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