AllegalitySYSTEMS THAT CAN’T CARE
Gavin WoodETHEREUM
Decentralised SaaS (ÐSaaS)
Software specifies abstract rules of interaction between parties for a service
Abstract can become ConcreteValue transfer
ActuatorsOracles &c.
eBay, PayPal, Amazon all do this, right?
So what’s new?
SaaS vs ÐSaaS
SaaS has an operator:Operator is human or human-owned
Operator exists in “real” legal environment
ÐSaaS has no operator:Each ÐSaaS is truly a force of nature
Decentralised SaaS
Accordingly implemented, service cannot be, en masse, shut down.
Early examples: Bitcoin, Bittorrent
Forces of nature
Decentralised SaaS
Needs not care about the “human context” of transactions.
Force of nature
The State of the Game
Language
StructuredBoolean
Rules
Triv
ial
Am
men
dabl
eG
ener
al
Numeric Discrete
(Less Relevant) (More Relevant)
CRYPTO-CURRENCY
APP-COINS
CRYPTO-FINANCE
CRYPTO-LAW
Crypto-law, or platforms for arbitrary ÐSaaS
Real Soon Now
Changes
Can’t police ÐSaaS, must police users- but -
Limited resources for security
Two options:Security-by-saturation;Rethink what is illegal
Risks & Opportunities for Society
Changes
Changes
Greater transparency, openness, efficiency:
KYC and AML become trivial to implementTaxes become trivial to pay and audit
Far harder to hide things “under the table”
Changes
Liberalism, freedom and individual choice:
Harder to police “trends”Harder to shut down mutually beneficial deals
Harder to hide uncomfortable truths
Ultimately...
(De-facto) Laws will alter according to reformed social norms
Stage between could be volatile
Lawmakers:
Must work with new system to avoid painful disruption:
education,evidence-based decisions,
always maximise health & well-being
Lawmakers:
Avoid misuse of morality, prejudice, misunderstandings, myths
To all...
Renewed need for responsibility,tolerance and honesty
AllegalityGavin Wood
Questions?