Criminal and tax consequences to the fraudulent modification of smart contracts. Special reference to the case The DAO
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51302/ceflegal.2020.9645Keywords:
cryptocurrencies, Ethereum, smart contracts, DAOAbstract
The modification of the smart contracts –«contracts» that are formalized in the code of a blockchain– supposes that, due to their mechanics of operation in the blockchain that configures them as «self-executing», in the event that a fraudulent alteration thereof that derives a transfer of assets, this modification is difficult to correct, although it is detectable for the parties. The paradigmatic example was The DAO conflict, in which one part of the network members accepted fraud for not violating the principles of non-intervention and modification of the code. The objective of this analysis is the determination of the possible legal consequences that arise around this type of situation.
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