NSF Org:	CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
Initial Amendment Date:	June 29, 2015
Latest Amendment Date:	June 29, 2015
Award Number:	1518765
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	Nina Amla CNS  Division Of Computer and Network Systems CSE  Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Start Date:	July 1, 2015
End Date:	December 31, 2015 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$1,935,783.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$593,941.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2015 = $0.00
History of Investigator:	Elaine Shi (Principal Investigator) runting@cs.cmu.edu Michael Hicks (Co-Principal Investigator) Jonathan Katz (Co-Principal Investigator) David Van Horn (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Maryland, College Park 3112 LEE BUILDING COLLEGE PARK MD  US  20742-5100 (301)405-6269
Sponsor Congressional District:	04
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Maryland College Park MD  US  20742-5141
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	NPU8ULVAAS23
Parent UEI:	NPU8ULVAAS23
NSF Program(s):	Secure &Trustworthy Cyberspace
Primary Program Source:	01001516DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001617DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001718DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	7434, 7925, 9102
Program Element Code(s):	806000
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.070

ABSTRACT

Crypto-currencies and smart contracts are a new wave of disruptive technology that will shape the future of money and financial transactions. Today, crypto-currencies are a billion-dollar market, and hundreds of companies are entering this space, promising exciting new markets and eco-systems. Unfortunately, usage of crypto-currencies outstrips our understanding. Currently most crypto currencies rely on heuristic designs without a solid appreciation of the necessary security properties, or any formal basis upon which strong assurance of such properties might be achieved.

This work aims to establish a rigorous scientific foundation for crypto-currencies. To achieve this, this work blends cryptography, game theory, programming languages, and systems security techniques. Expected outcomes include new crypto-currency designs with provable security properties, financially enforceable cryptographic protocols whose security properties are backed by enforceable payments in case of a breach, smart contract systems that are easy to program and formally verifiable, as well as high-assurance systems for storing and handling high-value crypto-currencies and transactions. The project will provide solutions to some of the most difficult and important technical questions surrounding the current digital-money revolution. The investigators will organize a crypto-currency speaker series that will bring together technologists, economists, social scientists, and policy-makers to foster collaborations that will shape the future of digital currencies.

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