Best Books on Blockchain For an Executive to Read

If you’re in any leadership role, you’ve no doubt heard about blockchain and how it might benefit your business. But where do you start? How do you work to integrate the technology that you might not understand yet into your business?

We’ve assembled a list of the best books about blockchain technology for you to read to help you navigate this emerging domain.

Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps (1st ed.)

This is where you should start, as it gives a step-by-step and very basic introduction to blockchain. If you don’t know what blockchain is, or are having trouble wrapping your head around the theory behind this system, this is one of the best books about blockchain you can get.

Blockchain Technology Explained: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide About Blockchain Wallet, Mining, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Zcash, Monero, Ripple, Dash, IOTA And Smart Contracts

The next step is the introduction of some of the specific systems and cryptocurrencies that have been implemented using blockchain technology. This gives a good insight into some of the actual applications, and instead of focusing on trading, it focuses on how the technology has been used so far. While still one of the best blockchain books for beginners, this one goes a little deeper too.

The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust (Information Policy)

Potentially the best book on blockchain technology to come out in 2018, this comprehensive text covers how and why these systems are poised to transform how we do business in the future. Foregoing the hype and focusing on a clear and well-thought conceptual and practical language instead, this has become one of the most highly acclaimed books on the subject this year.

Blockchain and the Law: The Rule of Code

One area of blockchain technology that is worth researching and understanding is how it works within various legal frameworks. With blockchain being a global decentralized platform that needs to work within multinational regulatory guidelines, it’s critical to understand legal issues before attempting to implement the technology.

Blockchain: A Practical Guide to Developing Business, Law, and Technology Solutions

One of the best blockchain books 2018 has to offer, this manual gives you an in-depth and practical framework for developing a blockchain-based solution for your business. While more technical in nature, it does a great job of helping to understand what goes into an enterprise development project.

Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business, and the World

Don Tapscott, chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute, and his son Alex created an important work here that ranks among the best books about blockchain. With deep knowledge of the industry and the technology that underpins it, this expansive text uses readable language to really expose how simple yet effective blockchain technology can be for a range of applications.

Life After Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy

A unique perspective delivered in this popular blockchain book is about the current big data technology, stored in central repositories and protected by fallible security protocols. This inability to secure critical data will lead to a shift away from today’s ad-driven digital services. One of the blockchain books best describing looming shifts in how our data is handled, this one is a must-read for people who want to stay ahead of the curve with their data privacy.

The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything

This entry on the list of best blockchain books deals directly with how the technology will affect fintech industries and legacy financial institutions. It also explores concepts of securing our identity and data along with our assets. The authors believe the technology has the power to restore personal control over these areas that are increasingly controlled by large institutions.

Beyond Blockchain: The Death of the Dollar and the Rise of Digital Currency

No list of blockchain books 2018 produced would be complete without one dealing with cryptocurrency and how it will change the future of money. This blockchain technology book explores some of the brief history of cryptocurrency along with the challenges of fiat money that can be solved with decentralized ledgers.

Attack of the 50-Foot Blockchain: Bitcoin, Blockchain, Ethereum & Smart Contracts

Our final business blockchain book is a counterpoint, offering a more pessimistic view of the technology. It’s good to see a different perspective, and often a critical look like this can expose potential flaws or problems with what is often a bit of a hyped technology solution. This sobering take explores the history and psychology of blockchain and cryptocurrency with a much needed cynical eye.

Wrap-up

From blockchain books for beginners to more advanced concepts, there’s enough variety to quickly get you literate in the systems and how they can benefit your processes. One thing is certain, these books are guidance from true experts and the quickest way to get fully up to speed in terms of blockchain knowledge.