Literature Review on Market Efficiency and Its Impact on Digital Financial Innovation

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between market efficiency and digital financial innovation in the context of global financial transformation over the past decade, when fintech, cryptocurrency, and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) have significantly altered price formation and information dissemination mechanisms. The main issue raised is whether the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) theory remains relevant in the face of digital market dynamics characterized by high volatility, speculative behavior, and regulatory uncertainty. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of digital innovation on information efficiency, price transparency, and the stability of modern financial markets. The study used the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, examining 15 scientific articles published between 2015 and 2025 from various academic databases. The findings indicate that digital technology increases access and speed of information distribution, but does not always result in consistently efficient markets. Crypto and DeFi markets have been shown to exhibit fluctuating efficiency due to price anomalies, information asymmetry, and weak regulation. Overall, the literature synthesis confirms that market efficiency in the digital era is dynamic and influenced by the interaction between technology, investor behavior, and governance quality. This study concludes that the EMH remains relevant as a basic framework, but needs reinterpretation to suit the complex and rapidly changing characteristics of digital markets.