Some simple bitcoin economics

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Monetary Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 106
Issue: C
Pages: 16-26

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We provide a model of an endowment economy with two competing, but intrinsically worthless currencies (Dollar, Bitcoin). Dollars are supplied by a central bank to achieve its inflation target, while the Bitcoin supply grows deterministically. Our fundamental pricing equation implies in its simplest form that Bitcoin prices form a martingale. “Mutual impatience” implies absence of speculation. Price volatility therefore does not invalidate the medium-of-exchange function. Bitcoin block rewards are not a tax on Bitcoin holders: they are financed with a Dollar tax. We discuss monetary policy implications, Bitcoin production, taxation, welfare and entry, and characterize the range of equilibria.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:moneco:v:106:y:2019:i:c:p:16-26
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29