Facebook’s Cryptocurrency Gamble

Facebook, the world’s largest social network, with more than 2.4 billion monthly users, is developing a cryptocurrency that has the potential to reshape the global financial landscape. Kevin Werbach discusses how the tech giant's Libra project could change the way we bank⁠—if it ever becomes reality.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

A New Initiative on the Economics of Digital Services: Providing a Foundation for Evidence-Based Decision-Making

On November 3, 2019, the Knight Foundation made a $350,000 investment in a new project at Penn as part of a $3.5 million initiative to inform the national debate on rules, norms and governance of the internet and digital platforms. Rakesh Vohra and Christopher Yoo share details on their project.

Electrical and Systems Engineering
Law

Resilience in Networked Systems

Three modern office buildings with corporative logos in Vilnius

Is Huawei a national security threat?

Christopher Yoo, professor of law, communication, and computer and information science, describes why the Chinese technology company has become a hot topic of conversation in national security circles.

Communication
Computer and Information Science
Law

Resilience in Networked Systems

Diagonal chain, a blockchain concept, gray closeup

Wharton prof explains Facebook’s new currency

In a Q&A with Penn Today, Kevin Werbach explains Facebook’s latest venture: “Libra” cryptocurrency, whether it’s actually a cryptocurrency, Facebook’s interest in it, and looming regulatory challenges.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

What Does Risk-Based Regulation Mean?

"In a world where risks are omnipresent, complex, and potentially extremely costly, taking a risk-based approach to regulation is essential," writes Cary Coglianese. Read more in his recent Regulatory Review op-ed.

Law
Political Science

Resilience in Networked Systems

The Real Reason for Facebook’s New Cryptocurrency

Facebook says its new cryptocurrency, Libra, is a tool for financial inclusion and disrupting the world’s cumbersome payment systems. In reality, there is a deeper motivation behind it, although not the one its critics imagine: Libra is the last, best hope to re-establish trust between Facebook and the world, writes Kevin Werbach.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

Old rusty electric transformer box with wires

The promise and pitfalls of 5G: Will it kill cable?

Kevin Werbach asks whether 5G technology will supercharge the “internet of things,” making it competitive with the fastest wired broadband networks. A fully functioning 5G future still is a long ways away, he says.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

Trump’s 5G Plan Is More Than a Gift to His Base

The Trump re-election campaign’s wireless open access proposal was a poorly vetted scheme possibly intended to score political points, and was squelched almost immediately after it became public. The twist? Open access wireless is actually a terrific idea, writes Kevin Werbach.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

How the Blockchain Ushers in a New Form of Trust

Blockchain is one of the biggest buzzwords in technology today, but confusion exists about what it is exactly. Kevin Werbach provides an in-depth explanation of the blockchain, as presented in his new book, The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

The Wharton Prof Teaching a Hands-On Crypto Class

Two weeks ago, Kevin Werbach welcomed students to a brand-new course entitled Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and Distributed Ledger Technology. In what may well be a first for a college course, students are getting a small amount of money to purchase cryptocurrencies, which they’ll use in a series of class exercises.

Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Resilience in Networked Systems

News

Facebook’s Cryptocurrency Gamble

A New Initiative on the Economics of Digital Services: Providing a Foundation for Evidence-Based Decision-Making

Is Huawei a national security threat?

Wharton prof explains Facebook’s new currency

What Does Risk-Based Regulation Mean?

The Real Reason for Facebook’s New Cryptocurrency

The promise and pitfalls of 5G: Will it kill cable?

Trump’s 5G Plan Is More Than a Gift to His Base

How the Blockchain Ushers in a New Form of Trust

The Wharton Prof Teaching a Hands-On Crypto Class