AI-Driven Decentralized Finance and the Future of Finance


Book Description

In the evolving landscape of finance, traditional institutions grapple with challenges ranging from outdated processes to limited accessibility, hindering the industry's ability to meet the diverse needs of a modern, digital-first society. Moreover, as the world embraces Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, there becomes a need to bridge the gap between innovation and traditional financial systems. This disconnect not only impedes progress but also limits the potential for financial inclusion and sustainable growth. AI-Driven Decentralized Finance and the Future of Finance addresses the complexities and challenges currently facing the financial industry. By exploring the transformative potential of AI in decentralized finance, this book offers a roadmap for navigating the convergence of technology and finance. From optimizing smart contracts to enhancing security and personalizing financial experiences, the book provides practical insights and real-world examples that empower professionals to leverage AI-driven strategies effectively.




Enabling Blockchain Technology for Secure Networking and Communications


Book Description

In recent years, the surge of blockchain technology has been rising due to is proven reliability in ensuring secure and effective transactions, even between untrusted parties. Its application is broad and covers public and private domains varying from traditional communication networks to more modern networks like the internet of things and the internet of energy crossing fog and edge computing, among others. As technology matures and its standard use cases are established, there is a need to gather recent research that can shed light on several aspects and facts on the use of blockchain technology in different fields of interest. Enabling Blockchain Technology for Secure Networking and Communications consolidates the recent research initiatives directed towards exploiting the advantages of blockchain technology for benefiting several areas of applications that vary from security and robustness to scalability and privacy-preserving and more. The chapters explore the current applications of blockchain for networking and communications, the future potentials of blockchain technology, and some not-yet-prospected areas of research and its application. This book is ideal for practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the concepts of blockchain technology and the potential and pitfalls of its application in different utilization domains.




DeFi and the Future of Finance


Book Description

During the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, our financial infrastructure failed. Governments bailed out the very institutions that let the economy down. This episode spurred a serious rethink of our financial system. Does it make any sense that it takes two days to settle a stock transaction? Why do retailers, operating on razor thin margins, have to pay 3% for every customer credit card swipe? Why does it take two days to transfer money from a bank account to a brokerage—or any other company? Why are savings rates miniscule or negative? Why is it so difficult for entrepreneurs to get financing at traditional banks? In DeFi and the Future of Finance, Campbell R. Harvey, Ashwin Ramachandran and Joey Santoro, introduce the new world of Decentralized Finance. The book argues that the current financial landscape is ripe for disruption and we are seeing, in real time, the reinvention of finance. The authors provide the reader with a clear assessment of the problems with the current financial system and how DeFi solves many of these problems. The essence of DeFi is that we interact with peers—there is no brick and mortar and all of the associated costs. Savings and lending are reinvented. Trading takes place with algorithms far removed from traditional brokerages. The book conducts a deep dive on some of the most innovative protocols such as Uniswap and Compound. Many of the companies featured in the book you might not have heard of—however, you will in the future. As with any new technology, there are a myriad of risks and the authors carefully catalogue these risks and assess which ones can be successfully mitigated. Ideally suited for people working in any part of the finance industry as well as financial policy makers, DeFi and the Future of Finance gives readers a vision of the future. The world of finance will fundamentally be changed over the coming decade. The book enables you to become part of the disruption – not the target of the disruption.




Blockchain: The Future of Finance and Security


Book Description

A Collection of Articles and Essays by Pooyan Ghamari Compiled in 2022 All Rights Reserved for the Original Author Title: "Blockchain: The Future of Finance and Security" Chapter 1: An Introduction to Blockchain Chapter 2: Privacy in Blockchain Technology Chapter 3: Blockchain, the Beginning of the Financial and Security Revolution Chapter 4: What Is the Blockchain Ecosystem? Chapter 5: The Magic of Gold and Digital Money Chapter 6: Comparing Conventional Databases and Blockchain Chapter 7: Public, Private, and Federated Blockchains Chapter 8: Introduction to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and the Token Universe Chapter 9: The Status of the Trust and Transparency Economy in Blockchain Chapter 10: A Look at the Protocols in the Blockchain Technology Chapter 11: Instant Messaging and Blockchain Technology Chapter 12: Deploying MimbleWimble Technology and Lightning Network in Litecoin Blockchain Chapter 13: How Will Crypto Finance Evolve in the Near Future as an Emerging Field? Chapter 14: How Do Cryptocurrencies and Tokens Influence Global Economy and International Financial Systems? Chapter 15: Consensus Protocols in Distributed Systems Chapter 16: Everything You Need to Know about NFTs This comprehensive guide explores the many facets of Blockchain technology, from its origins and fundamental principles to its potential applications in finance and beyond. Each chapter delves into a specific topic, providing readers with a deep understanding of the technology, its benefits, and its challenges. With practical insights and real-world examples, this guide is an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of finance and security.




NFTs For Dummies


Book Description

Get a grip on NFTs and learn how to get in the game It's not often that a brand-new investment comes along that revolutionizes how we buy and sell digital assets. But that's what non-fungible tokens (NFTs) did. Built on blockchain tech, NFTs are shaking up the world of digital commodity investing. And you can get your slice of the pie before everyone jumps into the arena. In NFTs For Dummies, you'll find straightforward answers to critical aspects of the NFT phenomenon. You'll learn exactly what non-fungible tokens really are, how you can find them, and even how to create your own valuable NFTs. You'll also discover: How to find reliable and safe NFT marketplaces where you can be sure you're dealing with reputable buyers and sellers A peek behind the NFT curtain to see how NFTs work and what, exactly, you own when you buy or make an NFT Discussions of the kinds of digital properties that can be converted into an NFT Perfect for anyone who wants to learn about the market for buying, selling, and creating crypto collectibles, NFTs For Dummies is the only resource you'll need to get a handle on this cutting-edge tech and start making it work for you.




Activist Retail Investors and the Future of Financial Markets


Book Description

Contemporary financial markets have been characterized by sociocultural phenomena such as "meme stocks", the Gamestop short squeeze, and "You Only Live Once (YOLO) trading". These are movements led by small-scale retail investors banding together to participate forcefully in financial markets through decentralized but coordinated actions. This book deploys many different subdisciplines to explore the recent ‘power grabbing’ of retail investors and the online environment that enables them to join the ranks of major financial players, and participate in contemporary capitalism. It offers multiple perspectives on the genesis, role, motivations, power, and future prospects of retail investors as a force in contemporary financial markets. Drawing upon the insights of authors hailing from many different countries, the book frames YOLO capitalism through numerous angles that help to explain the context and the importance of activist retail investors in modern financial markets, and thereby explore the possibilities of a transformed financial future with much wider small-scale participation. The book assesses the potential of online - and other - communities in enabling global coordination in impacting or even driving financial and crypto markets, and the challenges that come with it and weighs the competing narratives both positive and negative regarding YOLO capitalism. It strikes a balanced assessment of their legal, cultural, behavioural, economic, and political roles in modern finance. This book will be of interest to a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary audience of scholars in financial markets, financial regulation, political economy, public administration, macroeconomics, corporate governance, and the philosophy and the sociology of finance.




Networking to Get Customers, a Job Or Anything You Want


Book Description

Are you ready to take your career to the next level by getting meetings with people you never thought you could get access to? In Chris' latest book (called "Networking to Get Customers, a Job or Anything You Want"), you will learn how to significantly increase your chances of getting a job, customers and anything you want by networking. This book has over 200 pages plus over 2 hours of video lectures and 15 downloadable templates and 11 exercises to help you master networking and achieve your most ambitious professional and personal goals. Professor Haroun has successfully changed careers by networking (he worked at Goldman Sachs, then in the hedge fund industry at hedge fund giant Citadel, in the venture capital industry and in the consulting + tech sectors). He has raised/managed over $1bn in his career and enjoys teaching his in class MBA and undergraduate business students how to network to get a job, customers, etc. Written by Chris Haroun, who is an award winning business school professor and the author of the book "101 Crucial Lessons They Don't Teach You in Business School," which Business Insider wrote is "the most popular book of 2016 according to Business Insider readers." In 2015 Forbes called this book "1 of 6 books that all entrepreneurs must read right now." Chris also has the top selling online business course on Udemy.com called "An Entire MBA in 1 Course."Chris Haroun has an MBA in finance from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University where he is a McGill University Dobson Fellow (awarded for contributions to helping students and alumni with venture capital entrepreneurship advice). To learn more about Professor Chris Haroun and his company, please visit HarounVentures.com




The Cryptocurrency Revolution


Book Description

The world of cryptocurrencies and blockchains was initially viewed as a niche space of little interest to mainstream business and finance sectors. With major banks now licensed to provide cryptocurrency custody solutions, and everyone from Facebook to governments using the underlying technology to create their own digital currencies, this has undoubtedly changed. The Cryptocurrency Revolution explains the most important takeaways from the continued growth of digital currencies and blockchain technology and explores the transformative possibilities of borderless payments, decentralized finance ('DeFi') and machine-to-machine transactions. Written in jargon-free and accessible language, this book examines the key value proposition of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and how decentralized technologies could enable banks and financial institutions to become more efficient. It looks at the potential impact of company-backed virtual currencies (such as Facebook's Libra) and how governments and regulators around the world are reacting to these innovations. With discussion of the principles of tokenomics and the difference between public and private blockchains, The Cryptocurrency Revolution is the essential guide for those wishing to understand the threats and opportunities of the changing world of payments and finance.




The Comprehensive Guide to NFTs, Digital Artwork, and Blockchain Technology


Book Description

The ultimate guide to the NFT revolution: How non-fungible tokens are poised to transform the digital world. Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are the most important digital innovation since the creation of blockchain and cryptocurrency. NFTs share the best elements of both of these, while also representing an entirely new step forward for technology. But how did NFTs arise, how will they impact art and business in the decades to come, and—perhaps most importantly—how can savvy entrepreneurs position themselves today for success in the NFT-driven world of tomorrow? This guide by industry leader and entrepreneur Marc Beckman delves into the underpinnings of NFT technology in a way that makes the subject clear and comprehensible to the layman, while drawing on Marc’s branding experience to explore exactly how NFTs are poised to change fashion, sport, fine art, and even social justice. In this book he explores how NFTs will create entirely new asset classes and investment possibilities, such as fractional ownership in dynamic works of art. And in doing so, he also tells the story of how he personally discovered and became entranced by this powerful new tool, and where he believes NFTs will take business and branding throughout the 21st century.




Non-Fungible Tokens


Book Description

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have blossomed into an area of immense cultural, investment, and academic interest, and this groundswell of fascination with non-fungible digital tokenization has been accompanied by a variety of attitudes towards their function, purpose, and potential. Some advocates perceive NFTs to be revolutionary in character, reshaping notions of the construction and preservation of unique assets in the digital realm. At the same time, a notable number of skeptics and detractors view the NFT movement as a passing and overhyped fad at best, and a disingenuous ploy in the digital economy at its worst. Given the diversity of views that have emerged in a comparatively brief span, this book draws upon rich academic perspectives on NFTs from a variety of disciplines, including: computer science, cultural studies, mathematics, sociology, linguistics, mass communication, economics, and finance. The book teases out nuances in how NFTs can and should operate, while also pointing to the potential that these non-fungible assets wield in the digital sphere, along with countervailing arguments against their conceptual and functional salience, and perhaps some dangers that they pose. The book considers the longevity and viability of NFTs as sociocultural, technological, and economic phenomenon, while offering estimates of future paths that NFTs might take in each domain and weighs the opposing narratives and strikes balanced assessments of the legal, cultural, technological, economic, and political role of NFTs in modern society. With its panoramic display of analysis on NFTs, the book will be of particular interest to scholars and researchers across a wide number of subjects.