An Evaluation of User Attitudes Towards Anonymity in Bitcoin

• Main Author: Pajunen, Mihkel
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för informationsteknologi 2017
• Subjects: Bitcoin; cryptographic currency; pseudo-anonymity; peer-to-peer; Other Computer and Information Science; Annan data- och informationsvetenskap
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-14120

Bitcoin has emerged as the leading cryptographic currency since its inception in 2009 and at the time of writing holds a market capitalization of $28.4 billion. This ever-increasing figure has attracted adopters seeking to advance their investments, often leaving purely technical aspects on the sidelines. As is the case with any innovative technology, misconceptions are plentiful and information is not always conclusive. The research effort presented in this paper consists of a quantitative study seeking to address the subject of user anonymity in the Bitcoin network by employing an online survey on one of the most prominent Bitcoin forums. This includes 50 eligible participants, whose motivation is derived through the application of temporal motivation theory. The survey seeks to form an understanding of user attitudes towards the aspect of anonymity by following a methodological approach for exploring common tendencies among the representatives and will serve as the underlying data set from which conclusions can be drawn. Furthermore, this paper will present a literary study of the actual state of anonymity in this peer-to-peer technology by reviewing current findings highlighted in the area, thus presenting a comprehensive view of anonymity in the Bitcoin network, which will contrast the user study.