JEL Code
E42, E51, G21
Abstract
We leverage a transaction costs narrative to provide a theoretically unified presentation of the evolution of exchange, with the latest evolutionary frontier being cryptocurrency and decentralized finance. We show that with each new development in the evolution of money, the new form or medium of exchange must reduce transaction costs relative to relevant alternatives. The development of blockchain and cryptocurrency reduced the cost of transferring currency by removing the need for a trusted third party to intermediate funds while also providing the benefit of anonymity/pseudonymity. Likewise, decentralized finance does not require a third party to intermediate savings and investment and can provide contingent anonymity to borrowers. While these innovations have attracted investment in the economically developed world, they appear to have significantly reduced transaction costs for transactors who might otherwise be defrauded of funds by corrupt governments who may extort third parties responsible for intermediating funds.
Recommended Citation
Caton, James L. Jr and Harwick, Cameron
(2022)
"Cryptocurrency, Decentralized Finance, and the Evolution of Money: A Transaction Costs Approach,"
Journal of New Finance: Vol. 2:
No.
4, Article 3.
DOI: 10.46671/2521-2486.1027
Available at:
https://jnf.ufm.edu/journal/vol2/iss4/3
Submission Date
12-8-2021
Approval Date
12-18-2021
Publication Date
1-28-2022