Master thesis incorporating bitcoin/cryptocurrency (suggestions needed)

[bitdraw]

hey,

im getting stuck with finding the right topic for a master thesis..

It has to be somewhat "soft" mathematical and/or economic:
- graph theory
- linear programming
- computational modeling
- collective welfare
- Voting Procedures
- fair division problems (group decision and negotiation)
- matching and market design
- social choice theory & related
- game theory

Maybe someone of you have inputs on how to integrate bitcoin/cryptocurrency into one/more of these topics and/or more concrete ideas for a specific topic? Can be theoretical or incorporate programming.

Obviously i have ideas myself, but i would really love to get some unbiased suggestions.

thx

[Lauda]

This really depends on you. You have to acquire extensive knowledge in regards to Bitcoin so that you can correctly incorporate technical terms.
Would mathematical Cryptography work for you since I don't see it on that list? You could possibly incorporate how the network chooses the right chain into the 'Voting Procedures'.

[bitdraw]

This really depends on you. You have to acquire extensive knowledge in regards to Bitcoin so that you can correctly incorporate technical terms.
Would mathematical Cryptography work for you since I don't see it on that list? You could possibly incorporate how the network chooses the right chain into the 'Voting Procedures'.

thanks for your answer! the thing with mathematics is, i am coming from the wrong side, mainly economics and got into mathematics later on, so i think i might miss some skills in math if its gonna be a deep dive in mathematical cryptography, im sure there are a lot of smart real mathematicans working on that. (not saying i wouldnt be up for it!)

But i like the topic of choosing the right chain and connecting it this way, didnt think about that.

can you think of any topics related to "mathematical cryptography"? (something related to random number generating would also fit)

(one of my more economical idea is e.g. doing a math fairness analysis on bitcoin mining/distribution and what fairness properties it fullfills compared to traditional money)

[Hazir]

You need to choose your topic by yourself really. That is the name of the game. Of course you are biased with your opinion but that is ok!
I think there are topics on that list (and beyond it) you feel more comfortable with. Why do you ask people for something when you probably know what is the easiest for you?

[bitdraw]

You need to choose your topic by yourself really. That is the name of the game. Of course you are biased with your opinion but that is ok!
I think there are topics on that list (and beyond it) you feel more comfortable with. Why do you ask people for something when you probably know what is the easiest for you?

i just want to get some inspiration and avoid my own tunnel vision really. normally i would just talk to friends for this kinda "brainstorming" thing, but sadly they are not as interested in those topics so it doesnt really make sense.

also.. it's not about what's easiest, it is about whats interesting and fulfilling.

ps.: i also wanted to find out if there are some fields in crpyo/btc that need research to be done, sort of helping out on that.

[Lauda]

thanks for your answer! the thing with mathematics is, i am coming from the wrong side, mainly economics and got into mathematics later on, so i think i might miss some skills in math if its gonna be a deep dive in mathematical cryptography, im sure there are a lot of smart real mathematicans working on that. (not saying i wouldnt be up for it!)

But i like the topic of choosing the right chain and connecting it this way, didnt think about that.

can you think of any topics related to "mathematical cryptography"? (something related to random number generating would also fit)

(one of my more economical idea is e.g. doing a math fairness analysis on bitcoin mining/distribution and what fairness properties it fullfills compared to traditional money)

Unfortunately I can't further assist you without spending too much of my time doing research as well. There are just a lot of areas and you're giving us way too many possible options. You need to concentrate your ideas into something meaningful. If I was doing something around cryptography, I would probably try doing something like post quantum cryptography which could be of value in the future. You could mention Bitcoin in just about anything related to cryptography. Once you mention SHA256 you can mention Bitcoin as well.

[BillyBobZorton]

You could explain how consensus mechanisms work. There is a video of Andreas Antonopoulos explaining it. He firmly believes that consensus mechanisms will be an entire subject that students will learn about in the future and a crucial one in any computer related grade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE7998qfjgk