https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111185 2026-04-10T06:45:33Z 2026-04-10T06:45:33Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121429 2024-04-26T11:30:25Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Achieving stability in algorithmic stablecoins Abstract: Stablecoins are designed to bridge traditional fiat currencies with the cryptocurrencies markets market. Stablecoins have been identified as an early solution to mitigate the risk from cryptocurrencies during highly-volatile periods. While our paper aims to provide a taxonomy for the different types of stablecoins, our research focuses on algorithmic stablecoins. Currently, most stablecoins have a centralised structure that makes them vulnerable to regulatory orders. On the other hand, algorithmic stablecoins are cryptocurrencies managed by algorithms (smart contracts) to minimise the volatility in relation to a less volatile asset such as the US dollar or other relatively stable assets. Unfortunately, most algorithmic stablecoins have failed to maintain their pegged value despite the innovation acceleration. This paper aims to identify the differences between fiat-pegged stablecoins and algorithmic stablecoins, create a framework to understand the different types of algorithmic stablecoins, identify the risk of existing solutions, and answer if algorithmic stablecoins could maintain their pegged value. Our focus will be on two attributes critical in the engineering of algorithmic stablecoins: seigniorage and reflexivity. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121424 2024-04-26T11:28:06Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of blockchain and smart contracts in receiving donations towards financing of political parties : use case : Malta Abstract: In a healthy functioning democracy, transparency is the hallmark of good politics. Finance is vital in running a successful electoral process. In elections, money allows for the expression of political support and encourages competition. Money significantly impacts who can get into a political conversation and run for office. As elections get more expensive to contest and win, it is harder for individuals and ideologies with limited financial resources to get into the office. Elected representatives in many democracies often choose between voter aspirations and sponsor-backed agendas. This conflict of interest diminishes the voice of the voters. The state needs to ensure and protect its citizens' sovereignty. The more transparency and actors in the system, the more the voters and other constituents will trust the actors at play, and Blockchain may have a role to play. It is a long-standing debate on how Blockchain, where necessary, drives value to any business through transparency. Blockchain may signal a new era of transparency and reward best behaviour in political financing, as it has been doing in business applications. A Blockchain and Smart Contract solution may be considered for political actors to report their financial activities in real-time under the watchful eye of the state and its citizens. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121422 2024-04-26T11:24:00Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Blockchain based biometric matching Abstract: Blockchain technology has become a popular topic, making it possible to remove trusted intermediaries. This is applied to biometric technology where matching operations are executed in a decentralised trust-less environment via smart contracts. Three smart contract based blockchain based models are developed where practical trade-offs amongst them experimentally explored, namely execution time, transaction cost, complexity and the level of decentralisation between them. We find that with the present price of Ether common distance algorithms used for biometric matching such as the Euclidean distance will cost around $8. Costs can be reduced by introducing blockchain oracles, but this reduces the decentralisation level to that of a centralised system. Timings of oracle based transactions settling on the Ethereum main chain will also take twice as much time (70 seconds) of transactions made directly on-chain due to requiring the mining of two blockchain transactions. We find that a proof-of-stake sidechain is the best model tested for this purpose, providing for near instant transaction time (3 seconds), being low cost ($0.001) while not being overly complex and still enjoying a level of execution in a decentralised environment. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121421 2024-04-26T11:22:46Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Electronic health records and beyond : a blockchain in healthcare review Abstract: The healthcare industry has undergone a radical transformation, shifting from paper-based procedures to electronic methods and Blockchain-based solutions. Given the technological advancements, a standardised, patient-centric healthcare mechanism has not yet been established. The current healthcare systems impose several constraints on data sharing, data access, and privacy concerns. Blockchain technology presents itself as a promising solution for leveraging these limitations. The current state of play is that Electronic Health Records are the most studied blockchain-enabled healthcare applications. Studies show that due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, research in Blockchain in healthcare has substantially increased, with nascent applications of Contact Tracing, Remote Patient Monitoring and Digital Health Passports. This dissertation closely reviews implementing Blockchain technologies within said healthcare applications by analysing aspects of data sharing, access control, data management, and privacy and security. To thoroughly analyse the current healthcare blockchain-based solutions, the value of smart contracts and accessibility types of blockchain were evaluated. The utility of the integration of other ground-breaking technologies was also assessed. Through comprehensive secondary research, this study evaluated a random sample of 32 published papers, which were selected according to pre-defined criteria. This review establishes that, in most studies, privacy, security and access control are addressed. Smart contracts are generally utilised for this purpose; however, many smart contract adoptions address the need for patient ownership, data validation and user authorisation. Permissioned platforms are the most used within EHR applications, honing further on the notion of establishing patient-centred Blockchain systems. This analysis also indicates that through various cryptographic primitives and the deployment of key management, blockchain platforms are intended to address privacy and security concerns. However, some studies deploy other mechanisms such as dynamic consent. The deployment of off-chain databases, cloud solutions, and IPFS have been carefully analysed within such studies and identified as possible solutions to Blockchain’s scalability limitation. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.)

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z