The Effects of Digital Assets and Cryptocurrencies on Financial Markets

Abstract

This paper explores the various impacts of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, NFTs, and CBDCs, on the world economy. The study, based on a systematic review of the academic literature, and on secondary data collected from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, CoinMarketCap and Chainalysis, reveals that digital assets at the same time provide enhanced financial access, lower transaction costs, but also present greater volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and systemic contagion risk. The quantitative data analysis for the market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies shows a trajectory from ~US$200 bn (2018) to US$2.2 tn (2024), while the volatility indices for Bitcoin prices are almost triple those of equities. Recommendations cover aspects of adaptive regulation, CBDC development and international coordination. The tokens mentioned in the text are all digital assets, cryptocurrencies, or blockchain-based tokens.All of the tokens referred to in the text are either Digital assets, Cryptocurrencies, or Blockchain based tokens.