The end of money : the story of bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and the blockchain revolution

**Murder for hire. Drug trafficking. Embezzlement. Money laundering...** These might sound like plot lines of a thriller, but they are true stories from the short history of cryptocurrencies - digital currencies conceived by computer hackers and cryptographers that represent a completely new sort of financial transaction that could soon become mainstream. The most famous - or infamous - cryptocurrency is bitcoin. But look beyond its tarnished reputation and something much shinier emerges. The technology that underlies bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies - the blockchain - is hailed as the greatest advancement since the invention of the internet. It is now moving away from being the backbone for a digital currency and making inroads into other core concepts of society: identity, ownership and even the rule of law. __The End of Money__ is your essential introduction to this transformative new technology that has governments, entrepreneurs and forward-thinking people from all walks of life sitting up and taking notice. **ABOUT THE SERIES**__New Scientist Instant Expert__ books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the __Instant Expert__ series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context. Murder for hire. Drug trafficking. Embezzlement. Money laundering... These might sound like plot lines of a thriller, but they are true stories from the short history of cryptocurrencies - digital currencies conceived by computer hackers and cryptographers that represent a completely new sort of financial transaction that could soon become mainstream. The most famous - or infamous - cryptocurrency is bitcoin. But look beyond its tarnished reputation and something much shinier emerges. The technology that underlies bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies - the blockchain - is hailed as the greatest advancement since the invention of the internet. It is now moving away from being the backbone for a digital currency and making inroads into other core concepts of society: identity, ownership and even the rule of law. The End of Money is your essential introduction to this transformative new technology that has governments, entrepreneurs and forward-thinking people from all walks of life sitting up and taking notice. ABOUT THE SERIES New Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context. Murder for hire. Drug trafficking. Embezzlement. Money laundering. These might sound like plot lines of a thriller, but they are true stories from the short history of cryptocurrencies - digital currencies conceived by computer hackers and cryptographers that represent a completely new sort of financial transaction that could soon become mainstream. The most famous - or infamous - cryptocurrency is bitcoin. But look beyond its tarnished reputation and something much shinier emerges. The technology that underlies bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies - the blockchain - is hailed as the greatest advancement since the invention of the internet. It is now moving away from being the backbone for a digital currency and making inroads into other core concepts of society: identity, ownership and even the rule of law. The End of Money is your essential introduction to this transformative new technology that has governments, entrepreneurs and forward-thinking people from all walks of life sitting up and taking notice. A BOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context Murder For Hire. Drug Trafficking. Embezzlement. Money Laundering. These Might Sound Like Plot Lines Of A Thriller, But They Are True Stories From The Short History Of Cryptocurrencies - Digital Currencies Conceived By Computer Hackers And Cryptographers That Represent A Completely New Sort Of Financial Transaction That Could Soon Become Mainstream. The Most Famous - Or Infamous - Cryptocurrency Is Bitcoin. But Look Beyond Its Tarnished Reputation And Something Much Shinier Emerges. The Technology That Underlies Bitcoin And Other Cryptocurrencies - The Blockchain - Is Hailed As The Greatest Advancement Since The Invention Of The Internet. It Is Now Moving Away From Being The Backbone For A Digital Currency And Making Inroads Into Other Core Concepts Of Society: Identity, Ownership And Even The Rule Of Law. The End Of Money Is Your Essential Introduction To This Transformative New Technology That Has Governments, Entrepreneurs And Forward-thinking People From All Walks Of Life Sitting Up And Taking Notice. Bitcoin: The Basics -- The Birth Of Bitcoin -- How To Create A Currency, The Crypto Way -- The Blockchain -- Mining Gold The Digital Way -- Assassins And Drugs: Spending Bitcoin In The Early Days -- The School Of Hard Gox -- Bitcoin Comes Of Age -- Is Bitcoin Really Money? -- The Returns And Departures Of Satoshi Nakamoto -- Revamping Bitcoin - And The Rise Of Altcoins -- It's Not About The Money -- From Bitcoin To Autonomous Corporations -- Conclusion. Adam Rothstein, New Scientist. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The End of Money is an essential introduction to cryptocurrencies and the blockchain revolution which has been hailed as the greatest advancement since the invention of the internet.