Volatility and Welfare in a Crypto Economy
Posted: 29 Aug 2018 Last revised: 23 Aug 2021
Date Written: June 5, 2019
Abstract
Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchains possess at least two undesirable characteristics: exceptional price volatility and welfare impairment. Exceptional price volatility arises because PoW implements a passive monetary policy that fails to modulate cryptocurrency demand shocks. Welfare impairment arises because PoW compensates those updating the blockchain through seigniorage while facilitating free-entry among them. This paper theoretically formalizes the aforementioned points and also examines an alternative blockchain protocol that induces low volatility and enhanced welfare. The alternative protocol generates low volatility via an active monetary policy that modulates cryptocurrency demand shocks and facilitates welfare gains by supporting cryptocurrency prices with blockchain updating expenses.
Keywords: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Volatility, Proof-of-Work, Stable Coin, FinTech
JEL Classification: E50, G12
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation