This fully updated second edition explores blockchain's transformative potential for businesses, economies and societies. Providing new and revised chapters on subjects from standardization to interoperability, Nir Kshetri addresses the crucial challenges and recent developments shaping blockchain's ability to expand. Through diverse case studies, Kshetri demonstrates the possibilities for this technology in building trust where it is currently lacking, and as a powerful tool against corruption and inefficiency. This second edition also includes expanded coverage of the Metaverse and Web3 gaming, featuring up-to-date economic impact analysis of Play-to-Earn models, as well as recent data on market valuations, adoption rates and developer growth. Ultimately, the book emphasizes that blockchain's future lies in creating a transparent, global infrastructure for any transaction requiring a verifiable record of truth. The Rise of Blockchains is an invaluable resource for scholars and students of business and management, economics and information systems. Strategists, technology developers and legal and compliance professionals will also benefit from practical insights into this rapidly evolving field.