Trends in Crypto-Currencies and Blockchain Technologies: A Monetary Theory and Regulation Perspective

25 Pages Posted: 19 Aug 2015

See all articles by Gareth Peters

Gareth Peters

University of California Santa Barbara; University of California, Santa Barbara

Efstathios Panayi

University College London - Financial Computing and Analytics Group, Department of Computer Science

Ariane Chapelle

University College London - Department of Computer Science

Date Written: August 18, 2015

Abstract

The internet era has generated a requirement for low cost, anonymous and rapidly verifiable transactions to be used for online barter, and fast settling money have emerged as a consequence. For the most part, e-money has fulfilled this role, but the last few years have seen two new types of money emerge. Centralised virtual currencies, usually for the purpose of transacting in social and gaming economies, and crypto-currencies, which aim to eliminate the need for financial intermediaries by offering direct peer-to-peer online payments.

We describe the historical context which led to the development of these currencies and some modern and recent trends in their uptake, in terms of both usage in the real economy and as investment products. As these currencies are purely digital constructs, with no government or local authority backing, we then discuss them in the context of monetary theory, in order to determine how they may be have value under each. Finally, we provide an overview of the state of regulatory readiness in terms of dealing with transactions in these currencies in various regions of the world.

Keywords: Crypto-currency, virtual currency, regulation, monetary theory

JEL Classification: E42, E50, E51, E52, G18

Suggested Citation

Peters, Gareth and Panayi, Efstathios and Chapelle, Ariane, Trends in Crypto-Currencies and Blockchain Technologies: A Monetary Theory and Regulation Perspective (August 18, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2646618 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2646618

Gareth Peters (Contact Author)

University of California Santa Barbara ( email )

Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States

University of California, Santa Barbara ( email )

Efstathios Panayi

University College London - Financial Computing and Analytics Group, Department of Computer Science ( email )

Gower Street
London, WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

Ariane Chapelle

University College London - Department of Computer Science ( email )

Gower Street
London, WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
+44(0)7833453854 (Phone)

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