Moore's Law vs. Murphy's Law in the Financial System: Who's Winning?

44 Pages Posted: 7 Jun 2016

See all articles by Andrew W. Lo

Andrew W. Lo

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Laboratory for Financial Engineering

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: May 2016

Abstract

Breakthroughs in computing hardware, software, telecommunications and data analytics have transformed the financial industry, enabling a host of new products and services such as automated trading algorithms, crypto-currencies, mobile banking, crowdfunding and robo-advisors. However, the unintended consequences of technology-leveraged finance include firesales, flash crashes, botched initial public offerings, cybersecurity breaches, catastrophic algorithmic trading errors and a technological arms race that has created new winners, losers and systemic risk in the financial ecosystem. These challenges are an unavoidable aspect of the growing importance of finance in an increasingly digital society. Rather than fighting this trend or forswearing technology, the ultimate solution is to develop more robust technology capable of adapting to the foibles in human behaviour so users can employ these tools safely, effectively and effortlessly. Examples of such technology are provided.

Keywords: Financial technology, systemic risk, macroprudential policy, risk management

JEL Classification: G20, G28, G01

Suggested Citation

Lo, Andrew W., Moore's Law vs. Murphy's Law in the Financial System: Who's Winning? (May 2016). BIS Working Paper No. 564, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2789737

Andrew W. Lo (Contact Author)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Laboratory for Financial Engineering ( email )

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