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37 Int'l J. Semiotics L. 1 (2024)

handle is hein.journals/intjsemi37 and id is 1 raw text is: Int J Semiot Law (2024) 37:1-35 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-023-10083-2 Asset, Token, or Coin? A Semiotic Analysis of Blockchain Language Olivia Sewell' • Lachlan Robb - John Flood2 Accepted: 20 November 2023 / Published online: 10 January 2024 ©The Author(s) 2024 Abstract Blockchain's language and terminology is confusing, contested, and rapidly chang- ing. As a hype-driven technology, Blockchain is critical to an increasing number of projects that exist in a space of regulatory uncertainty. As communities of block- chain develop and evolve, the language they use to describe these functions changes. This causes concerns when attempting to have global regulatory certainty and clar- ity. Regulators and communities have different approaches to blockchain language, and this causes problems because of the translation between practical use in a com- munity, and the legal effects created by regulators. Of particular concern is the lack of clear expression amongst the broader community regarding the concept of block- chain-related assets as these 'tokens', 'coins', and 'assets' form a key part of finan- cial regulation. This project uses semiotics to study the diverse language associated with blockchain. This analyzes a series of self-proclaimed 'dictionaries of block- chain' to assess key definitions, themes, perceptions, and misconceptions present in these communities. The study involved a case analysis of the terminology used in Australia's proposed response to blockchain in comparison with that of wider com- munities. When comparing this to regulatory definitions and approaches, it becomes clear that this is an area that requires further attention. This project highlights the need for regulators to understand and use common terms in blockchain regulation. It is argued that this approach facilitates a better understanding of poorly understood concepts and clearly connects the law with those it intends to target. Keywords Blockchain - Semiotics - Crypto - Language - Glossary - Linguistics of technology E Lachlan Robb robbl@qut.edu.au School of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia 2 School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia I_) Springer