Bitcoin and Beyond
Kose John, Maureen O’Hara, Fahad Saleh
Abstract
We survey extant literature on the economics of blockchain fundamentals, with particular focus on Bitcoin, proof-of-work, and proof-of-stake. We formally clarify Bitcoin's economic significance in solving the double-spending problem without a centralized entity. We then transition to the economics literature, highlighting the key endogenous economic interactions among participants in the Bitcoin ecosystem as well as the economics of proof-of-stake and other potential consensus algorithms. Along the way, we discuss various literature that provides important insights regarding fees, forks, and price volatility. We conclude by reflecting on the next generation of blockchain innovations.
Topics & Concepts
Extant taxonEconomicsBlockchainFocus (optics)Volatility (finance)Positive economicsKey (lock)Neoclassical economicsData scienceFinancial economicsComputer scienceComputer securityBiologyOpticsPhysicsEvolutionary biologyBlockchain Technology Applications and SecurityAuction Theory and ApplicationsDigital Platforms and Economics