This study examines the representation and evaluation of Web3 technology in the German music media from 2016 to 2022, focusing on its prevalence, framing, and acceptance in the context of the music sector. Utilizing framing theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, a quantitative content analysis was conducted on articles from various music magazines. The findings indicate a generally positive portrayal of Web3, with significant discussion peaks in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Notably, no coverage was found in music education magazines, suggesting a gap in Web3 engagement in pedagogy. Much of the coverage was in Musikwoche, highlighting Web3âs impact on business aspects like ticketing, copyright, and licensing. The overall positive depiction, juxtaposed with limited critical evaluation, points to the need for a more nuanced discourse. The study underscores implications for balanced media coverage, informed musician engagement with Web3, and the potential for incorporating this technology in music education. It highlights the importance for the music industry of capitalizing on Web3âs positive aspects while practising critical awareness, and it calls for further research to explore the depth of Web3âs influence in music.
In the context of the deep integration of rural revitalization strategy and digital technology, the digital transformation of rural tourism faces threefold dilemmas of efficiency, trust, and cultural preservation. This paper, taking blockchain technology as a starting point, systematically explores the internal logic and practical paths of its empowerment in rural tourism, aiming to construct a "technology-scenario-governance" collaborative framework to resolve structural contradictions in industrial development. The study is based on the Social-Technical Systems Theory (SST), adopting interdisciplinary research methods, and uses typical cases to demonstrate how blockchain technology drives high-quality development in rural tourism by reconstructing production relations. The study finds that blockchain technology, through mechanisms of "trusted data flow" and "autonomous smart contracts," reshapes the power structure, value transfer, and governance models in rural tourism. Its distributed ledger feature solves issues such as data islands and the loss of trust in stakeholders, while its DAO governance and Token economic models activate villagers' participation. The paper also proposes four-dimensional application scenarios covering trusted service chains, value co-creation chains, green governance chains, and inclusive finance chains, achieving the reconstruction of consumption scenarios, cultural IP development, ecological supervision optimization, and investment and financing innovation through technological integration. Furthermore, the paper warns of three major challenges for the technologyâs implementation: the gap between computing power and rural infrastructure, the institutional coupling difficulties between on-chain and off-chain systems, and the conflict between technological rationality and rural ethics. It proposes a "lightweight blockchain + edge computing" technical solution and designs a "multi-party chain governance committee" system to balance the rights and responsibilities of government, enterprises, and villagers, incorporating "ethical coding" into the design of technology to embed rural culture. Future research should focus on the integration of the metaverse, AI, and blockchain technologies, enhancing service personalization while preventing cultural alienation risks, thus providing solutions for rural common prosperity that combine technological innovation with the protection of cultural roots.
Yingqiang Ge, Haochuan Wang, Kenny Cheah Soon Lee, A.Z.N.I.Z.A.R.I.N.A.B.I.N.T.I. TAHA
Social media plays a critical role in influencing Bitcoin adoption trends from 2015 to 2023, acting as both an enabler and a disruptor. While platforms have enhanced public awareness of cryptocurrency, they have also fuelled challenges such as misinformation and impulsive behaviour, often undermining responsible consumption of Bitcoin as a financial tool. This dual role underscores the need for targeted interventions to ensure that the adoption of Bitcoin aligns with ethical and informed practices. To foster responsible consumption, social media platforms must address the issue of content imbalance. Algorithms that prioritize sensationalism over educational material often mislead users, steering them toward impulsive decisions. A redesign of these algorithms is essential to elevate balanced, fact-based content that empowers users to make informed choices about Bitcoin. Additionally, introducing verified content tags can serve as a vital measure to combat misinformation, ensuring that users can easily identify credible information sources. Regulatory frameworks are another cornerstone of promoting responsible consumption in the cryptocurrency space. By implementing transparency guidelines and ethical standards for influencers and content creators, stakeholders can mitigate manipulation and foster trust within the digital ecosystem. By integrating these measures, social media can evolve into a platform that not only supports Bitcoin adoption but also ensures it is guided by responsible consumption principles. Such a transformation is vital to harnessing social media's potential while minimizing the risks posed to individuals and the broader financial community.
Social media has attracted society for decades due to its reciprocal and real-life nature. It influenced almost all societal entities, including governments, academics, industries, health, and finance. The Social Network generates unstructured information about brands, political issues, cryptocurrencies, and global pandemics. The major challenge is translating this information into reliable consumer opinion as it contains jargon, abbreviations, and reference links with previous content. Several ensemble models have been introduced to mine the enormous noisy range on social platforms. Still, these need more predictability and are the less-generalized models for social sentiment analysis. Hence, an optimized stacked-Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based sentiment analysis model is proposed for cryptocurrency price prediction. The model can find the relationships of latent contextual semantic and co-occurrence statistical features between phrases in a sentence. Additionally, the proposed model comprises multiple LSTM layers, and each layer is optimized with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique to learn based on the best hyperparameters. The model's efficiency is measured in terms of confusion matrix, weighted f1-Score, weighted Precision, weighted Recall, training accuracy, and testing accuracy. Moreover, comparative results reveal that an optimized stacked LSTM outperformed. The objective of the proposed model is to introduce a benchmark sentiment analysis model for predicting cryptocurrency prices, which will be helpful for other societal sentiment predictions. A pretty significant thing for this presented model is that it can process multilingual and cross-platform social media data. This could be achieved by combining LSTMs with multilingual embeddings, fine-tuning, and effective preprocessing for providing accurate and robust sentiment analysis across diverse languages, platforms, and communication styles.
K. Kajol, Srijanani Devarakonda, Ranjit Singh, H. Kent Baker
Abstract Cryptocurrency has gained popularity as a potential new global payment method. It has the potential to be faster, cheaper, and more secure than existing payment networks, making it a game-changer in the global economy. However, more research is needed to identify the factors driving cryptocurrency adoption and understand its impact. We use social network analysis (SNA) to identify the influencing factors and reveal the impact of each on cryptocurrency adoption. Our analysis initially revealed 44 influential factors, which were later reduced to 25 factors, each exerting a different influence. Based on the SNA, we classify these factors into highly, moderately, and least influential categories. Discomfort and optimism are the most influential determinants of adoption. Moderately influential factors include trust, risk, relative advantage, social influence, and perceived behavioral control. Price/value, facilitating conditions, compatibility, and usefulness are the least influential. The factors affecting cryptocurrency adoption are interdependent. Our findings can help policymakers understand the factors influencing cryptocurrency adoption and aid in developing appropriate legal frameworks for cryptocurrency use.
Abstract This study examines Pakistani citizensâ behavioral intentions toward the adoption of cryptocurrency as a digital currency. Cryptocurrency refers to a form of currency that exists in digital or virtual form and relies on cryptography to ensure the security of transactions and regulate the generation of additional units. Cryptocurrencies have the potential to disrupt the global financial system. Cryptocurrency is a viable option for decentralized and secure transactions, offering enhanced transparency and lowering dependence on conventional financial institutions. The authors collected data from potential cryptocurrency customers or investors. Data were collected from Karachi (Pakistan). The study was conducted with the help of the diffusion of innovation theory (DOI), employing all its components (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability). The DOI model statements were modified and adapted to satisfy the requirements of this study. This empirical research report concludes that relative advantage (financial incentives, technology advancement, global accessibility, privacy and security, and P2P nature), compatibility (User-friendliness, Integration with existing systems, compatibility with digital lifestyles), and complexity (ease of use and mass adoption) contribute to the adoption. Trailability (lack of familiarity and risk aversion) and observability (limited exposure, lack of social proof, and negative stigma) are unrelated to customer behavior toward cryptocurrencies. In all these contexts, cryptocurrency adoption can enhance value co-creation. Finally, this study provides valuable insights for stakeholders.
The rapid growth and increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies have reshaped the investment landscape, presenting unique opportunities and challenges for investors. This study examines how advisory information sources influence cryptocurrency investment behaviors and intentions among U.S. investors. Using data from the 2021 National Financial Capability Study, it explores how reliance on financial professionals, media, and social networks shapes investment decisions. The motivation for this research lies in the need to understand the divergent roles of these sources in an era where traditional and emerging financial advice coexist. Findings reveal that reliance on financial advisors correlates with reduced cryptocurrency investment and future investment intentions, reflecting advisorsâ cautious stance toward volatile assets. Conversely, reliance on media and social networks significantly increases both current investments and future intentions. The findings also highlight that investor confidence is positively associated with the likelihood and intentions to invest in cryptocurrency. Conversely, heightened risk perceptions associated with cryptocurrency reduce both the likelihood and intentions to invest. The study calls for financial professionals to enhance client education on cryptocurrency risks and for policymakers to strengthen regulations, ensuring accurate information dissemination through media and social networks. By providing a nuanced understanding of advisory influence and investorsâ characteristics, this research offers valuable insights for financial professionals, policymakers, and investors navigating the complexities of cryptocurrency investments.
Kobe De Keere, Martin Broholt Trans, StefanĂa Milan
Abstract In less than two decades, cryptocurrency has transformed from being an object of interest for an obscure online community to becoming a digital asset of global appeal. By acknowledging the importance of fictional expectations in the creation of economic value, this study addresses the question: How is the value of crypto imagined? Through quantitative and qualitative coding of 1921 YouTube video transcripts, combined with Exploratory Factor Analysis, this article maps out the sociotechnical imaginaries that attribute value to crypto, that are being disseminated on YouTube. This study identifies four distinct imaginaries that project a value on cryptocurrency: investment, utility, digital metallism, and infrastructural mutualism imaginary. This explorative analysis sheds light on the potential value consumers attribute to cryptocurrencies while opening new research avenues toward a better understanding of the market and its mediation by platform algorithms as potential market devices.
Open access
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification
Play-to-earn (P2E) games targeting users unfamiliar with cryptocurrencies are playing a key role within the industries known as blockchain, crypto or Web3. P2E gaming guilds (Elliott, 2021) are emerging as essential intermediaries bridging Web2 and Web3 ecosystems. Drawing from social network theoryâs study of brokerage motivations, this paper examines the structure and communication practices of a P2E guild, Yield Guild Games (YGG) on Twitter. Through a computational analysis of YGGâs presence on Twitter, the paper compares two mention networks corresponding to a period of optimism, and a period of crisis. We used network analysis to examine the structure of YGG communication on Twitter (Rathnayake, 2023), analysed tweets using BERTopic topic modeling (Grootendorst, 2022), and extracted links to determine what information is shared within the network (Hoyng, 2023). The results demonstrate YGGâs role as a âcultural brokerâ (Foster & Ocejo, 2015) promoting the adoption of blockchain technologies, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and ideologies (Swartz, 2017), ascribing legitimacy and value to particular actors and products in the Web3 ecosystem. The topic lists highlight prominent communication practices related to community building, such as AMA (ask me anything) sessions and airdrops.
Cryptocurrencies are rapidly emerging as a novel virtual financial system with significant implications across various industries. This study systematically reviews the factors influencing cryptocurrency adoption, identifying key motivators and barriers that affect individualsâ decisions to embrace this technology. Our findings reveal that while there is increasing interest in cryptocurrencies, substantial gaps remain in understanding the underlying motivations for adoption and the disparities in acceptance across different regions. We categorize these gaps and propose future research directions aimed at bridging them. Ultimately, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of cryptocurrency adoption dynamics and highlights the need for more comprehensive studies in this evolving field.
This study investigates the influence of cryptocurrency advantages on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourists' future decisions in Thailand, a prime business travel destination. The research explores how cryptocurrency adoption affects tourists' propensity to use cryptocurrencies in the MICE industry. A sample of 394 MICE touristsâ data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via the Mplus program. The results indicate that transaction process (TP), price value (PV), and attitude (AT) significantly impact BTPB, which, in turn, influences future cryptocurrency adoption (FA) while transparency (TR) does not show any significant correlation with business travelers' perceived benefits (BTPB). This study guides travel and tourism stakeholders to enhance cryptocurrency adoption by improving transaction efficiency, security, regulatory clarity, and education, leveraging insights from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) frameworks. This study bridges fintech and sustainable tourism in the MICE industry, offering insights for policymakers and industry leaders to enhance financial systems through cryptocurrency, promoting global sustainable travel practices.
Open access
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification
Chuleeporn Changchit, Robert Cutshall, Long Pham, Eugene Bland
Cryptocurrencies, as a disruptive innovation in the financial sector, are reshaping traditional investment behaviors. Despite their growing adoption, many individuals remain hesitant to invest, influenced by both psychological and technological factors. This study integrates behavioral finance principles with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), incorporating perceived security, perceived enjoyment, technology competency, and personality traits to examine their effects on cryptocurrency investment attitudes and intentions. Data from U.S. investors highlight how these factors shape investment decisions, with a particular focus on the moderating role of personality traits in the relationship between attitude and investment intention. Findings reveal that performance expectancy, perceived enjoyment, and perceived security significantly influence attitudes toward cryptocurrency investment and drive investment intention. Interestingly, openness negatively moderates this relationship, suggesting that individuals with high openness may be less likely to act on positive investment attitudes. However, other predictors including facilitating conditions, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism did not demonstrate any significant influence on investment attitudes or intentions. These insights contribute to the behavioral finance literature by highlighting how psychological and technological factors influence investment behavior. Practical implications extend to businesses, policymakers, and cryptocurrency platforms seeking to better understand and engage potential investors. Future research should explore additional behavioral and technological factors across diverse investor demographics and geographic contexts to further advance knowledge in this evolving field. ⢠Performance expectancy and security enhance cryptocurrency investment attitudes. ⢠Openness moderates the relationship between attitude and intention to invest. ⢠Technology competency and effort expectancy negatively affect investment attitude. ⢠Perceived enjoyment drives positive attitudes toward cryptocurrency investment. ⢠Study integrates UTAUT with personality traits to explain cryptocurrency behavior.
This study employs bibliometric alchemy to explore the knowledge networks in the space of digital finance research between 2013 and 2025. It begins with 15,776 articles and finally through the process of bibliometric alchemy a dataset of 8,838 articles is analyzed. The study critically identifies the key influencing factors, existing gaps, opportunities, and future trends in digital finance research. It identifies the four key major research areas (digital currencies, digital inclusive finance, fintech, and blockchain technology) among the diversified nature of digital finance research. The analysis reveals distinct thematic and geographical patterns: scholars in developed economies concentrate on crowdfunding, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain, while those in developing economies particularly China emphasize financial inclusion. In addition to it the present study highlights the institutional, market, and infrastructural determinants shaping divergent innovation pathways. Lastly, the present study identifies the following grey areas for future studies namely societal impact of financial inclusion, economic implications of the rise in Fintechâs, and economic valuations of Non-Fungible Tokens.
MĂĄtĂŠ HidegfĂśldi, Gergely Laszlo Csizmazia, Justina KarpaviÄÄ
Cryptocurrencies offer a novel approach to finance by eliminating the need for traditional banking and enabling secure, traceable, and internet-accessible peer-to-peer transactions. However, despite their advantages, cryptocurrencies face persistent trust issues and low levels of engagement and awareness. This research aims to investigate individualsâ behavioral intentions to use cryptocurrencies and identify factors influencing technology adoption. Employing a qualitative meta-analytic approach, a new predictive model was proposed, drawing from TAM, UTAUT, and IDT theories. A survey administered in Hungary utilized Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis, identifying social influence, facilitating conditions, and awareness as key factors impacting perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PE).
Adrian Micu, Alexandru CÄpÄČĂŽnÄ, Mihaela Muntean, Mihaela Muntean ¡ 6 authors
This paper explores the matchmaking between augmented reality (AR) and Web3 technologies within the context of ecotourism, providing a bibliometric analysis of the research landscape to understand how these digital innovations are empowering sustainable tourism practices.Using data from the Web of Science Core Collection, we conducted a targeted search that provided the key themes and clusters for the research.The findings reveal four primary clusters: AR and Metaverse in immersive tourism experiences, decentralization and security in community-driven tourism management, AI-enhanced AR for ecotourists' engagement, and blockchain outcomes for ecotourism initiatives.This study contributes to the literature by clarifying the roles of AR and Web3 in promoting responsible tourism, fostering trust, and empowering local communities through decentralized models.
The non-fungible token (NFT) issue motivates this research as it presents a great opportunity for talented creators to support creative businesses in Indonesia, increase art's exposure to local and international markets, and earn royalties for their works of art. This research focuses on how a non-fungible token (NFT) digital object can be sold out and what strategy is used to sell the NFT? using a cyberphenomenology approach. Informant criteria: The informant must have sold NFTs at least three times themselves. Have a minimum of 1000 followers on social media and one year of experience. The focus areas for online media research include Facebook, Instagram, and the Indonesian NFT community. We collected the data through in-depth media interviews, direct observation of social media, and manual data analysis procedures, which involved triangulating sources and theories. The findings indicate that the NFT marketing strategy involves SFS, consistent promotion, regular product posting, Twitter retweets, targeting a specific market, and celebrity endorsement. The price of a resale product is typically higher than its original price. NFT products are animations. GIFs are difficult to steal. Products are animated GIFs. Marketplace (Opensea): NFTs are a source of income. Direct transfers of NFTs are possible without the need for purchase transactions. Cryptocurrency: Smart Contract System: Low Crypto Prices NFTs will end.
Cryptocurrencies have become one of the most disruptive financial innovations, attracting widespread interest worldwide. Despite their growing popularity, the risks associated with the use of cryptocurrencies remain a significant barrier to their adoption. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of perceived risks on international studentsâ cryptocurrency investment behavior. Results indicate that financial and regulatory risks are major barriers, while operational risks are less influential. Interestingly, security risks positively influence investment when perceived rewards or risk management capabilities are considered. Risk tolerance and cryptocurrency knowledge are strong positive predictors, highlighting the role of financial education in fostering adoption. The results suggest the implementation of specific policies that address perceived risk factors and improve financial literacy among younger generations of investors to support informed and responsible participation in cryptocurrency markets. Keywords: Cryptocurrency Investments, Perceived Risks, Investments Behavior.