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Cryptocurrencies, central bank digital cash, traditional money: does privacy matter?

Author

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  • Emanuele Borgonovo
  • Stefano Caselli
  • Alessandra Cillo
  • Donato Masciandaro
  • Giovanno Rabitti

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the demand of both traditional and new media of exchange – as cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies – proposing a novel specification of the demand for money. In this specification, the medium of payment (MOP) has three properties: the first two are the MOP’s standard functions as a medium of exchange and as a store of value, while the third is a novel function as a store of privacy (anonymity value). The proposed framework is tested using a laboratory experiment. Our results show that anonymity matters, but less of the other two properties; at the same time, the presence of anonymity increases the overall appeal of a MOP, particularly if the individuals are risk prone; given anonymity, the sacrifice ratio between liquidity risk and opportunity cost are relatively high.

Suggested Citation

  • Emanuele Borgonovo & Stefano Caselli & Alessandra Cillo & Donato Masciandaro & Giovanno Rabitti, 2018. "Cryptocurrencies, central bank digital cash, traditional money: does privacy matter?," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 1895, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:baf:cbafwp:cbafwp1895
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    Cited by:

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    2. Louis Abraham & Dominique Guegan, 2019. "The other side of the Coin: Risks of the Libra Blockchain," Post-Print halshs-02325808, HAL.
    3. Sergio Luis Náñez Alonso & Javier Jorge-Vazquez & Ricardo Francisco Reier Forradellas, 2020. "Detection of Financial Inclusion Vulnerable Rural Areas through an Access to Cash Index: Solutions Based on the Pharmacy Network and a CBDC. Evidence Based on Ávila (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-33, September.
    4. Louis Abraham & Dominique Guégan, 2019. "The other side of the Coin: Risks of the Libra Blockchain," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 19015, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    5. Louis Abraham & Dominique Guégan, 2019. "The other side of the Coin: Risks of the Libra Blockchain," Working Papers 2019: 30, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    6. Louis Abraham & Dominique Guegan, 2019. "The other side of the Coin: Risks of the Libra Blockchain," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-02325808, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Money; Cryptocurrencies; Central bank Digital Currency; Cash; Baumol; Friedman; Experimental economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B22 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Macroeconomics
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • E41 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Demand for Money
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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