<p>I think it's scalability. The cost to generate a block is getting more and more expensive. Couple months ago, CryptoKitties caused Ethereum network congestion due to the surge of transactions. For real world application, I think blockchain must be able to handle high volume of transaction. This can be achieved by reducing the cost to generate a block. AFAIK, some blockchains are developing <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Proof_of_Stake" rel="nofollow noreferrer">proof-of-stake algorithms</a> replace the old proof-of-work one.</p>

<p>You may interested in <a href="http://cardanohub.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ouroboros proof-of-stake algorithm</a>, which is implemented by Cardano. Ethereum is also working on their own implementation - Casper</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-19T11:22:18.537Z
2018-02-19T11:49:02.527Z
2018-02-19T11:49:02.527Z
Tobi
<p>You could have a look at this <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Weaknesses" rel="nofollow noreferrer">long list of Bitcoin's weaknesses</a>. Since your question is aimed at blockchains in general, why not also take a look at <a href="https://github.com/ethereum/wiki/wiki/Problems" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ethereum's list of problems</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-21T07:53:11.313Z
2018-02-21T07:53:11.313Z
gosuto
<p>Cartel theory may be interesting to research since you say you are concerned about decentralization. Bitcoin is carefully considered to avoid cartels and I know that it is a real consideration given when discussing any potential change. You may enjoy listening in on the <a href="https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev" rel="nofollow noreferrer">[bitcoin-dev]</a> mailing list.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-19T11:16:18.417Z
2018-02-19T11:16:18.417Z
Willtech
<p>I'm looking for a research project for my master thesis in software engineering and computer science and i'm willing to research the blockchain technology. What are the current open issues and/or hot topics regard blockchains?</p>

<p>EDIT: I can see my question is way too generic, i just wanted to specify i read about 20 papers on the topic and i'm more concerned about the dencentralization aspect of it.</p>

<blockchain><academic-research>
Current blockchain hot topics in research
berrur
# Current blockchain hot topics in research

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-19)

I'm looking for a research project for my master thesis in software engineering and computer science and i'm willing to research the blockchain technology. What are the current open issues and/or hot topics regard blockchains?

EDIT: I can see my question is way too generic, i just wanted to specify i read about 20 papers on the topic and i'm more concerned about the dencentralization aspect of it.

**Tags:** blockchain, academic-research


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-02-19. Score: 1

I think it's scalability. The cost to generate a block is getting more and more expensive. Couple months ago, CryptoKitties caused Ethereum network congestion due to the surge of transactions. For real world application, I think blockchain must be able to handle high volume of transaction. This can be achieved by reducing the cost to generate a block. AFAIK, some blockchains are developing [proof-of-stake algorithms](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Proof_of_Stake) replace the old proof-of-work one.

You may interested in [Ouroboros proof-of-stake algorithm](http://cardanohub.org/), which is implemented by Cardano. Ethereum is also working on their own implementation - Casper


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-02-21. Score: 1

You could have a look at this [long list of Bitcoin's weaknesses](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Weaknesses). Since your question is aimed at blockchains in general, why not also take a look at [Ethereum's list of problems](https://github.com/ethereum/wiki/wiki/Problems).


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### Answer by username_3 on 2018-02-19. Score: 0

Cartel theory may be interesting to research since you say you are concerned about decentralization. Bitcoin is carefully considered to avoid cartels and I know that it is a real consideration given when discussing any potential change. You may enjoy listening in on the [[bitcoin-dev]](https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev) mailing list.


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