Invited to present a paper on “The Blockchain Opportunity" at the Jamaica Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Annual November Weekend Conference 2018 entitled “The 21st Century Lawyer: Technology, Compliance & Forensics". The abstract of the paper and a video excerpt follows.

THE BLOCKCHAIN OPPORTUNITY

“Creating New Industries & Remaking Old Ones”

Kellye-Raé J. Fisher Campbell

Abstract

The advent of blockchain technology has introduced a new paradigm, which is poised to transform computing, technology and almost all daily activities in a manner comparable only to the introduction of the worldwide web. The basic architecture of blockchain presents endless opportunities for the building, development and growth of several applications, ranging from it most renowned use – Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, to the advancement of the internet of things, decentralized autonomous organizations, and smart contracts.  Though initially slow and gradual, its adoption and prevalence has exploded in the last three years, bringing with it a familiarity of concept to most but a lack of infrastructural understanding for many.

This paper explores blockchain technology, the opportunities it presents for governments, start-ups, creative industries and other market participants in the Caribbean. Usually met with enmity by economists, governments, legal and regulatory groups, this paper approaches blockchain technology from a positive and cautiously optimistic perspective whilst exploring some legal and regulatory challenges including security and privacy issues which are likely to emerge with the adoption of blockchain technologies.