This book is an in-depth examination of the inner workings, origins, and future trajectory of digital currencies. It presents an analytical overview of the technologies underpinning cryptocurrencies and explores their development from a technical, economic, and regulatory standpoint. Readers will gain an understanding of the philosophical debates surrounding digital currencies, including the varying degrees of decentralization and the challenges cryptocurrencies face for widespread adoption as public payment methods. The text also explores how anonymity within the blockchain is reconciled...