The advent of the Internet has had a significant impact on commerce and human interaction, and that impact has further accelerated since the advent of mobile computing. However, technological change has caused uncertainty and legal problems. In order to address the crisis of trust in social relationships as well as legal and democratic institutions, it is necessary to identify the root cause of its erosion. Strategic challenges that countries face regarding cyberspace and the fight against cybercrime are being addressed through the coordination of effort between government agencies and international standards organisations. In an era of ‘technology-driven capitalism’ the frameworks of democracy, the free market and fair trade remain as valuable and as venerated as ever. P De Filippi and A Wright argue that legal entities deploying blockchain technology can decrease uncertainty among shareholders and investors by reducing the risk that parties will act in conflict with their own self-interest.