A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Why do blockchains split? An actor-network perspective on Bitcoin splits




AuthorsA.K.M. Najmul Islam, Matti Mäntymäki, Marja Turunen

PublisherElsevier

Publication year2019

JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change

Article number119743

Volume148

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119743

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119743

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/42116963


Abstract

This paper investigates the focal actors in a blockchain network and their heterogeneity in splits. Disagreements in blockchain communities often lead to splits in both the blockchain and the community. We use three key elements of the actor-network theory — punctualization, translation, and actor heterogeneity—and employ case study methodology to examine Bitcoin splits. We identify several human actors, such as miners, developers, merchants, and investors, as well as non-human actors, including blockchain, exchanges, hardware manufacturers, and wallets, involved in Bitcoin splits. Our results show that the consolidation of actors in homogeneous groups plays a key role in blockchain splits. We further describe how the human and non-human actors' fluid moves into micro and macro actor positions in the network affect the development of the split. In addition, we discuss the roles of these actors and their engagement in forming micro and macro agencies in blockchain splits.


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