A new era with blockchain technology in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Recently, digital developments have led to revolutionary new technologies such as the Internet, smartphones, smart machines and digital currency, and have changed culture and concepts around the world. Culture represents the identity of the human environment and the development and openness of society in the transmission of information and knowledge to generations. In both public and private sectors, sensitive information with the integrity of data should remain safe and confidential and cannot be infringed upon, which constitutes the underlying principle of the new technology, blockchain. To that end, in this paper we survey research related to blockchain in the last four years from 2015 to 2018. We then explore the implications of this new blockchain technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On the basis of this study, recommendations on future blockchain technology research directions in Saudi Arabia are also provided.