L’élaboration de représentations collectives en faveur de blockchains au sein d’espaces de la finance : Mythe et fictions d’un futur possible investi

Abstract

This text sheds light on the elaboration and circulation of representations driven by entrepreneurs and major banking players about blockchains. It is based on ethnographic observations of community events organised around blockchains. It was conducted from 2020 to 2021, lasting from 2 hours to 7 days. This has been completed by online contents. The article focuses on the major representations produced and disseminated within financial spaces. It looks at the emergence of a founding myth of the Bitcoin blockchain and its reappropriation as a myth announcing a renewal of finance. By studying its circulations, it shows that certain blockchains are considered as a technical solution to 2008 crisis. These projections then give them a central place, making them a tool that would allow better anticipation of risks. Projects based on these ideas were then developed. They are promoted within collective spaces conducive to the mobilisation of public and private investment, and via new media such as Twitter, podcasts and online media.