Overview
This project is a short research paper published on SSRN that explores smart contracts from a practical and critical perspective.
Rather than treating smart contracts as a silver bullet, the paper focuses on how they actually work, what problems they genuinely solve, and where their limitations and risks begin.
The goal was not to propose a new protocol or framework, but to clarify concepts that are often misunderstood or oversimplified in popular discussions around blockchain.
Why I Wrote This Paper
Smart contracts are frequently described as trustless, self-executing, and fully automated. In practice, the reality is more nuanced.
I wrote this paper to:
- demystify how smart contracts really operate
- highlight the technical and operational assumptions behind them
- discuss security, governance, and dependency risks
- separate realistic use cases from hype
The paper is intended for practitioners, technologists, and curious readers who want a grounded understanding rather than marketing narratives.
What the Paper Covers
The paper discusses:
- The execution model of smart contracts
- Where automation truly begins — and where it ends
- The role of oracles and off-chain dependencies
- Common security and design pitfalls
- Practical limitations in real-world adoption
It is written as an explanatory and analytical piece, not as a speculative or promotional one.
Publication
- Platform: SSRN
- Format: Preprint
- Status: Published
- DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5749605
Notes
This paper reflects my interest in understanding complex systems by breaking them down into their actual moving parts — an approach I also apply to my engineering and infrastructure projects.
It is part of an ongoing effort to learn, document, and share ideas clearly, without overstating certainty or expertise.