Legal Duality in Blockchain Technology: Linking Investment and Innovation

This chapter examines the intersection of blockchain technology and international investment law, offering an analysis that moves beyond the traditional focus on blockchain’s financial aspects. It explores how blockchain’s decentralization is poised to impact the principles and practices of international investment law. As blockchain technology matures, it becomes essential to assess its implications for the rules governing cross-border investments. A comparative analysis of blockchain’s treatment across jurisdictions provides insights into global legal trends and jurisdiction-specific approaches. The chapter also contemplates ideal normative approaches for adapting to blockchain’s advancements. It underscores that integrating blockchain technology into legal structures can lead to a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive global economic system. This chapter contributes to the broader theme of the book by proposing that international investment law should anticipate and respond to the challenges posed by emerging technologies, preserving and enhancing legal principles. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026.