This research topic addresses the emerging fields of Decentralized IP (DeIP) and Decentralized Science (DeSci). Proposals should seek to understand the challenges and benefits of transitioning traditional innovative processes to decentralized systems. Topics may include peer review processes in a decentralized setting, funding allocation through DAOs, research data ownership and distribution, as well as incentives for researchers in a decentralized system.

This research topic seeks in-depth qualitative research on the dynamics of blockchain gaming from the gamers' viewpoint. Proposals should explore areas like the onboarding process for traditional gamers, play-to-earn economic perceptions, impacts of blockchain integration on overall gaming experience, valuation of in-game assets and NFTs, security concerns, and future expectations for the domain. This study would be especially suitable for “qualitative” or mixed-method research, perhaps emphasizing interviews, surveys, and focus groups. The goal is to provide stakeholders with actionable insights to inform the future trajectory of blockchain gaming with special consideration for the player's experience.

This research explores the concept of Network State and its potential evolution in the blockchain era. It examines how decentralized networks can comprise, extend, or replace existing state-like institutions. Proposals may pay special attention to governance models, digital enabled citizenship/identity, as well as the geo-political implementability and sustainability of a given approach. The aim is to provide insights into how blockchain technology could reshape societal organization, governance, and the nature of statehood in a digital, decentralized world.

Focusing on the creation and management of decentralized physical infrastructure. Ideal submissions will have considered oracle concerns and/or incentive tradeoffs in moving from “useless” work to useful work.

Looking at liquid staking derivatives in the DeFi ecosystem, this research explores the use of liquid staking tokens (LSTs) for lending, borrowing, trading, and collateralization. It assesses how LSDfi may promise to transform staked capital into a more productive asset, the associated risks, and the impact on DeFi market liquidity and stability. The study may also investigate regulatory implications and consider what analogues may exist to LSDfi.

This topic seeks to understand the evolution and impact of stablecoins, comparing historical currency models with current implementations. It explores the roles, effectiveness, stability mechanisms, and regulatory challenges of stablecoins in both crypto and traditional financial sectors. The research aims to provide insights into the future trajectory of stablecoins and their potential to bridge the gap between digital and traditional finance.

Investigating the convergence of Web3 and AI, this research may explore how AI can enhance decentralized applications, governance, and smart contracts in blockchain networks. But it may also consider the ways in which crypto can assist AI, for instance whether crypto can serve as a benchmark for existing foundation model's reasoning ability, especially relating to theory-of-mind or game-theoretic multi-agent scenarios (as in “Cooperative AI via Decentralized Commitment Devices”). Because this is a fast-moving and necessarily frothy area of research, even-handed evaluations are especially encouraged.

This research would consider the extensions of the concept of MEV into “real world” domains. Taking stock of proposed solutions to mitigate the impact of MEV on blockchain ecosystems, an ideal study would seek to identify analogies (and disanalogies) of blockchain MEV with non-blockchain MEV. Then consider the “real world” solutions and how they might be applied to blockchain MEV and/or the blockchain solutions and how they might address “real world” MEV.

This research topic dives into the strategic aspects of token distribution and go-to-market approaches of protocols and games. The study aims to analyze the effectiveness, risks, and long-term impacts of various distribution strategies on project success and community building. It will explore how these strategies influence user adoption, market dynamics, and the overall perception of the project. Proposals may also compare traditional marketing strategies with innovative approaches specific to the crypto industry, providing actionable insights for emerging projects.

This topic invites research into the architectural decisions of blockchain networks, specifically comparing modular and monolithic structures. The study will analyze the maximum constraints each model can handle in terms of scalability, security, and decentralization. It seeks to evaluate the trade-offs between the two architectures, exploring how they impact the network's ability to adapt, evolve, and respond to market demands and technological advancements. The goal is to provide a framework for assessing which architectural approach may be most suitable for different types of blockchain applications and use cases.

This research focuses on the aspect of data availability in blockchain networks, exploring existing solutions and their classification. Proposals should aim to develop or refine a taxonomy for differentiating various data availability approaches and assess how existing Layer-1 and Layer-2 solutions fit into this framework. The study will evaluate the effectiveness, security, and scalability of these approaches, offering insights into their suitability for different blockchain applications and the potential for future innovation in this domain.

Investigating enterprise application chains like BASE, this topic explores the development and implementation of unique and useful primitives on hybrid chains. The research will focus on identity, compliance, and privacy implementations, examining how these features can enhance the utility and appeal of enterprise blockchains. Proposals should assess the challenges and opportunities in integrating these primitives, considering the evolving regulatory landscape and the specific needs of enterprises. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how hybrid chains can offer tailored solutions for business applications in a decentralized context.