Pornhub and the Value of Bitcoin

10 Pages Posted: 19 Feb 2022

See all articles by William J. Luther

William J. Luther

Florida Atlantic University; American Institute for Economic Research

Date Written: February 16, 2022

Abstract

In December 2020, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover stopped processing payments for Pornhub, a website based in Canada that allows users around the world to upload and view pornographic videos. Cut off from traditional payment processors, Pornhub had to rely on cryptocurrencies. I consider the extent to which deplatforming Pornhub increased the value of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies accepted on the site.

Keywords: bitcoin, cryptocurrency, deplatforming, financial privacy, payments, platforms, Pornhub

JEL Classification: E41, E42, G23, K42

Suggested Citation

Luther, William J., Pornhub and the Value of Bitcoin (February 16, 2022). AIER Sound Money Project Working Paper No. 2022-04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4036795 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4036795

William J. Luther (Contact Author)

Florida Atlantic University ( email )

777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.wluther.com

American Institute for Economic Research ( email )

PO Box 1000
Great Barrington, MA 01230
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.aier.org/staff/william-j-luther

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