Patrick Waelbroeck

Patrick Waelbroeck is a Professor of Economics at Télécom ParisTech, part of the Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT). His work focuses on the economic dimensions of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, addressing issues such as monetary value, governance challenges, energy consumption in blockchain networks, and the interplay between privacy, security, and financial systems.

Research interests include the economic mechanisms underpinning cryptocurrency valuation, the impact of mining operations on energy costs and decentralization, and the regulatory implications of digital currencies. He explores topics such as pseudonymity in transactions, Bitcoin’s role during financial crises, and the risks of network governance through hard forks.

His notable contribution includes the article Bitcoin: the economic issues at stake, analyzing Bitcoin’s supply dynamics, demand drivers, and systemic risks. Collaborations and grants are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, though his analysis integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from economics, computer science, and policy studies.