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The impact of digital finance on household participation in risky financial markets: Evidence-based study from China

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  • Yun Ye
  • Yongjian Pu
  • Ailun Xiong

Abstract

Chinese households have overinvested in risk-free financial assets, resulting in a single structure of financial assets. However, this proportion declined as digital finance developed. By combing the data from the China Household Finance Survey Data and the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China, we find that digital finance significantly promotes household participation in risky financial markets. Further mechanistic analysis unveils that digital finance mainly affects households’ participation in risky financial markets by reducing the lack of investment channels, promoting households’ access to financial information and increasing the possibility of household risk appetite. In addition, the heterogeneity analysis suggests that digital finance effectively reduces the deterrent effect of wealth and cognitive thresholds on all households, reflecting the inclusive nature of financial development. Our findings provide an empirical basis for the mainstream positioning of digital finance in the development of inclusive finance, and display its positive impact on social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Yun Ye & Yongjian Pu & Ailun Xiong, 2022. "The impact of digital finance on household participation in risky financial markets: Evidence-based study from China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0265606
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265606
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    2. Zhou, Xiaoshi & Vatsa, Puneet & Ma, Wanglin, 2023. "Impact of internet use on value and diversity of risky financial asset portfolios," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 188-193.
    3. Hua Guo & Fan Gu & Yanling Peng & Xin Deng & Lili Guo, 2022. "Does Digital Inclusive Finance Effectively Promote Agricultural Green Development?—A Case Study of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.

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