How do Web 3.0, blockchain- and token-based businesses create and capture value?

Abstract

The development of technology is constantly being driven forward. With that companies are inthe need to adapt their business model to certain technologies to optimize their economic value. In the age of Web 3.0, blockchain technology and the possibilities and risk that come withdecentralized applications and digital currencies plays a central role in the current state of technological development. Hence, it is of utmost importance to understand how this technology is used or can be used to optimize the company’s activities. This thesis aims to gain knowledge about the way businesses utilize blockchain technology to gain economic value. Forthat, the following research question has been examined: How do Web 3.0, blockchain- andtoken-based businesses create and capture value? To answer the question, existing literature about blockchain and business models has been reviewed and semi-structured interviews have been carried out. Specifically, the study looks at areas or existing business problems for which solutions can be found through the application or support of blockchain technology to generateor optimize economic value. Therefore, current literature as well as information collected through semi-structured interviews with four experts, founders, and employees in the German blockchain space have been analyzed. The research shows that the technology currently finds the most use in the financial sector and supply chain management, in which in a B2B relationship the value is created through offering a blockchain-based service network to improve security and transparency and the value is mostly captured through charging fees forthat service.

Date of Award	1 Feb 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	René Bohnsack (Supervisor) & Arash Rezazadeh (Co-Supervisor)