The fast pace of development of cryptocurrency markets challenges classical financial theories, highlighting the importance of investor psychology and sentiment in shaping the dynamics of prices and volatility. In sharp contrast to traditional assets, the cryptoverse is also far more driven by behavioral factors with market action frequently a result of sentiment, cognitive bias and social media than fundamentals. This study examines the intersection of behavioral finance and cryptocurrency investments, and specifically how investor sentiment affects police uncertainty phenomenon, is examined on already established and emerging markets. Using a literature-based integrative review approach, we integrate empirical and theoretical research between 2017 and 2025 from peer-reviewed sources in Scopus, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, SSRN, and Google Scholar. The review also identifies behavioural patterns that are applied again and again, such as overconfidence, herding, anchoring, and loss aversion, and looks at how they manifest in the world of crypto. It is also assessing more sentiment proxiesâsuch as Google Trends, Twitter activity, and Reddit threadsâportraying their predictive link to price volatility and trading volume. The results confirm the inefficient property of the Cryptocurrency market and also justify the relevance of behavioral finance in decentralized sentiment-sensitive markets. The paper makes both theoretical contributions by enabling the application of sentiment analysis to blockchain based assets, and practical proposals to investors, regulators, and fintech developers. Highlighting the importance of hybrids, the study argues that behaviorally driven sentiment analysis, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) driven sentiment models should be integrated into market governance frameworks. The results confirm the inefficient property of the Cryptocurrency market and also justify the relevance of behavioral finance in decentralized sentiment-sensitive markets. The paper makes both theoretical contributions by enabling the application of sentiment analysis to blockchain based assets, and practical proposals to investors, regulators, and fintech developers. Highlighting the importance of hybrids, the study argues that behaviorally driven sentiment analysis, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) driven sentiment models should be integrated into market governance frameworks.
This paper aims to carry out a systematic study on the application of blockchain technology in the field of Accounts Receivable Financing (ARF). The report first peels apart the main pain points of the traditional ARF model (factoring) from the aspect of information asymmetry, transmission of credit and confirmation of rights. Then the report does a thorough analysis on how blockchain technology (especially the characteristics of unchangeable nature, smart contracts, and asset digitization) theoretically solves these pain points, emphasizing the elaboration on the realization path of "penetration of credit". The core of this report is the in-depth study and comparison of four important cases of significance, namely, the "Dual-Chain Connect" of Ant Group, "Yi Enterprise Chain" (YQLink) of Ping An OneConnect, WeBank (based on FISCO BCOS), and "Jing Bao Bei" of JD Technology. Through the comparison of these cases in terms of their business models, technical architecture and risk control mechanism, this report summarizes three mainstream realization mode: "central enterprise-led", "fintech platform-led", and "(digital) bank-led", and reveals their basic difference regarding "source of credit". Finally, the study talks about the common problems confronting the field, such as data silo, interoperability and regulatory uncertainty, and gives its optimistic outlook regarding its future trends of integration into Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and evolution towards Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of regulatory controls on Bitcoin's excess returns and volatility. The paper innovates by proxying changes in the regulatory environment using global Google search volume intensity data. The generated regulatory indices accurately identify episodes of regulatory tightening within cryptocurrency markets. A threeâfactor modelâincorporating market, momentum, and size factorsâis employed to evaluate the effects of regulation on Bitcoin returns. The study also assesses the influence of changes in the regulatory environment on volatility using additional controls. Findings reveal that increased regulation significantly reduces monthly Bitcoin returns and increases return volatility. These effects are both statistically and economically significant, robust across multiple proxies for regulatory activity, and persist even when accounting for the effects of the COVIDâ19 pandemic. The results highlight the real regulatory risks associated with Bitcoin investments, particularly for riskâaverse investors, and underscore the importance of policy developments in shaping cryptocurrency market dynamics.
This paper examines spillover dynamics, hedging effectiveness, and portfolio optimisation across tourism, cryptocurrency, and Fintech markets within a time-varying connectedness framework that incorporates traditional financial markets. We document pronounced time-varying spillovers, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, with traditional finance emerging as the dominant shock transmitter and the tourism sector as a key net receiver. Transmission-channel evidence suggests that total connectedness increases with credit stress and is positively correlated with market uncertainty and tourism mobility, with these effects intensifying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cryptocurrencies offer the least costly but weakest hedges, while tourism assets hedge crypto exposure more effectively, albeit with greater downside risk. Dynamic portfolio weight strategies outperform hedge-ratio strategies, and the minimum connectedness portfolio (MCoP) delivers the highest risk-adjusted returns. DieboldâMariano tests indicate no significant differences in return predictability, whereas JobsonâKorkie results show that minimum correlation portfolio (MCP) and MCoP significantly outperform the minimum-variance portfolio (MVP). Downside risk measures highlight the superior performance of MCoP at the cost of deeper drawdowns. These findings underscore the value of connectedness-based strategies for portfolio design in increasingly integrated markets.
Developments and changes in technology play a significant role in addressing climate change, one of which is decentralized finance, which is currently expanding, and it is still unclear whether it has a dynamic relationship with climate change. This study employs the TVP-VAR Connectedness model with the aim of analyzing the dynamic relationship between the decentralized finance operations and CO2 emissions, the impact of shocks from DeFi operations (Total Value Locked, Volume, Returns, Fees, and Revenues) dynamically increasing CO2 emissions, as well as to assess the role of DeFi returns in strengthening the transmissions of DeFi activity to CO2 emissions. The results show that DeFi operations have a dynamic relationship with CO2 emissions at a moderate level through shocks transmitted by DeFi operational indicators. It was also found that TVL acts more as a net receiver than a net transmitter, unlike Volume, Fees and Revenues. Returns do not significantly transmit shocks to CO2 emissions and are more exogenous in nature, while both TVL and Returns are predominantly influenced by internal idiosyncratic shocks. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating Green FinTech policies to ensure sustainable DeFi growth. The findings also provide important implications for regulators, industry practitioners and academics in their efforts to balance the advancement of DeFi with environmental sustainability.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), powered by blockchain technology and smart contracts, have opened new avenues for addressing corporate governance challenges, such as effectively reducing contract risks and mitigating other organizational management issues. However, as a typical complex system that integrates both social and engineering complexities, DAOs still face problems in governance practice, including insufficient decentralization and low member participation. In particular, the liquid democracy design in their voting mechanisms-intended to allow members to flexibly switch between direct voting and delegated proxy-often leads to the phenomenon of âdelegation equals abstention,â which is particularly acute in Product and Service DAOs, resulting in declining overall participation rates and excessive concentration of governance power among a few individuals. To address these challenges, this paper employs the ACP method (Artificial Systems + Computational Experiments + Parallel Execution) and proposes a dual-token governance mechanism that couples governance rights with an incentive layer. This mechanism moderately decouples governance rights from utility rights, encouraging ordinary members to shift from passive delegation to active participation in governance. At the same time, we introduce an SBT-based reputation system grounded in cumulative contributions, which dynamically constrains the upper limit of delegated receipts, thereby institutionally curbing the unchecked expansion of power by super delegates. Through case analysis combined with computational experiments, the effectiveness of this mechanism in enhancing the degree of governance decentralization and member participation is validated, providing both technical pathways and theoretical references for DAO governance optimization.
The Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms are proving to be a calling card of the financial system in the global front. The de-Fi platforms provide peer-to-peer financial services without relying on any type of significant centralized intermediaries. This paper evaluates the success of DeFi platforms using a two-frame analysis, the Decentralized Infrastructure Sustainability and Security (DISS) Model, and the System Usability Scale (SUS). This study assesses the role of different elements of DISS and SUS models in affecting the use of DeFi platforms. Such findings in their turn assist us in comprehending the significance of encouraging mechanisms and data privacy in constructing and increasing the user trust and making the platform more successful.
The development of blockchain technology has brought significant innovation to the financial sector, including the management of Shariah-compliant finance, by enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency of financial transactions in accordance with Shariah principles. This technology utilizes distributed ledger technology (DLT) and smart contracts to ensure authenticity and fairness in transactions, thereby strengthening trust and accountability within the Shariah financial system. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of blockchain implementation in Shariah finance and identify various challenges faced in the digital era, such as immature regulations, limited digital infrastructure, and low levels of technological literacy among industry players. The research method includes a literature review of relevant journals and reports, as well as case studies of blockchain implementation in Shariah financial institutions. The findings indicate that blockchain plays a crucial role in increasing trust and transparency, but its success heavily depends on the synergy among regulators, Shariah financial institutions, and other stakeholders to overcome these obstacles. These results emphasize the importance of collaborative and innovative strategies to support the sustainable growth of the Shariah financial system in the digital age.
Ridwan Yusuf, Andreas Perdana, Febri Sugandi, Untoro Apsiswanto
Pada periode 2024-2025, pertemuan antara Large Language Model dan teknologi blockchain melahirkan kelas perangkat lunak baru yang disebut AI Agent on-chain, perangkat lunak otonom yang menerjemahkan tujuan pengguna menjadi rangkaian transaksi Decentralized Finance dan menandatanganinya tanpa intervensi manusia. Adopsi yang berlangsung cepat memperlihatkan tiga celah konseptual yang belum terjawab: kompleksitas alur eksekusi multi-langkah pada DeFi, lansekap kerentanan yang khas LLM seperti indirect prompt injection dan jailbreak yang berimplikasi langsung pada aset finansial, dan ketiadaan kerangka tata kelola yang akuntabel pada ekosistem yang terdesentralisasi. Kajian ini menyintesis 34 publikasi terverifikasi dari basis data Zotero ke dalam empat tema yang saling terkait: arsitektur agen dan kolaborasi multi-agen, manajemen kunci pada agentic wallet, lansekap ancaman keamanan, serta peran blockchain sebagai trust layer. Temuan kunci yang muncul adalah bahwa pertahanan yang hanya bertumpu pada lapisan bahasa terbukti tidak memadai; kontrol pada lapisan tindakan, melalui kebijakan yang dinamis, isolasi enclave, atau secret sharing multi-pihak, menjadi prasyarat ketika konsekuensi finansial bersifat permanen. Kontribusi yang diajukan mencakup taksonomi vektor ancaman per lapis arsitektur, kerangka pertahanan tiga-lapis hibrid, serta agenda riset masa depan dengan lima arah konkret.
The banking system today faces an unprecedented level of uncertainty in the field of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT). Rapid digitalization, the emergence of anonymous payment methods, the intensification of cross-border transactions, and the widespread use of cryptocurrencies are fundamentally transforming the nature of financial flows while simultaneously creating a fertile ground for complex financial abuse schemes. This problem is further exacerbated by growing geopolitical tensions and sanctions pressure, which destabilize traditional mechanisms of international oversight and deterrence. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the emerging challenges shaping the risk landscape in AML/CFT for the banking sector. It examines key directions in the evolution of threats â from the use of decentralized finance and smart contracts to the increasing role of informal payment channels. Alongside this, the article explores the prospects for a technological response from financial institutions, particularly the adoption of artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain solutions, and RegTech tools. It is emphasized that the effectiveness of these approaches depends not only on banksâ capacity to invest in technology but also on their ability to adapt organizational culture and regulatory engagement. Special attention is given to the Russian context, including the specific features of the legal framework, the level of digital maturity among banks, and participation in international initiatives. At the heart of the discussion lies the question: to what extent is the domestic system prepared to manage next-generation risks amid the transformation of global financial oversight? AML/CFT in the banking sector can no longer be regarded merely as a procedural function limited to formal compliance. It is becoming a strategically important domain at the intersection of financial stability, technological modernization, and national security. The resilience of the financial system in the coming years will depend on the ability of banks to adapt to this new risk profile, staying ahead not only of criminal schemes but also of the inertia of regulatory models.
Security, Politics, and Digital Transformation
Economic, Social, and Public Health Issues in Russia and Globally
Technologia rozproszonych rejestrĂłw (DLT), ktĂłra stanowi fundament Internetu WartoĹci (IoV), przeksztaĹca wspĂłĹczesne rynki poĹźyczkowe. ProtokoĹy poĹźyczkowe, bÄdÄ ce kluczowym komponentem zdecentralizowanych finansĂłw (DeFi), oferujÄ bardziej elastyczne narzÄdzia alokacji kapitaĹu niĹź tradycyjne struktury finansowe. ProtokoĹy DeFi, takie jak Compound, Maker i Aave, odpowiadajÄ na wyzwania napotykane przez klasyczne rynki poĹźyczkowe, w szczegĂłlnoĹci banki i scentralizowane platformy poĹźyczkowe. Przedstawimy takĹźe szczegĂłĹowy opis mechanizmĂłw dziaĹania tych protokoĹĂłw, z uwzglÄdnieniem ich innowacyjnych podejĹÄ do zarzÄ dzania ryzykiem oraz zabezpieczeniami. Pomimo swojej innowacyjnoĹci protokoĹy DeFi wciÄ Ĺź wykazujÄ zaleĹźnoĹÄ od tradycyjnych systemĂłw finansowych, co wskazuje na zĹoĹźone relacje miÄdzy tymi dwoma sektorami. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), which forms the foundation of the Internet of Value (IoV), is transforming modern lending markets. Lending protocols, a key component of decentralized finance (DeFi), offer more flexible capital allocation tools compared to traditional financial structures. DeFi protocols, such as Compound, Maker, and Aave, address challenges faced by conventional lending markets, particularly banks and centralized lending platforms. This paper also provides a detailed description of how these protocols operate, highlighting their innovative approaches to risk management and collateralization. Despite their innovation, DeFi protocols still exhibit dependence on traditional financial systems, illustrating the complex relationships between these two sectors.
Mahad Abdiwali Mohamed, Ahmed Nur Dirie, Abdiaziz Bashir Mohamud, Mohamed Abdisamad Farah ¡ 5 authors
This paper conducts a bibliometric review of the scholarly sources of the intersection of cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding, and Islamic finance, in order to see the trends, contributions, and new directions to make Shariah-compliant FinTech and sustainability. The past decade witnessed the revolution of digital technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and AI in the banking and industries. Cryptocurrencies make the peer-to-peer transactions possible and crowdfunding helps businesses to raise funds. The concept of blockchain and central bank digital currency (CBDCs) will support sustainable finance by improving green bonds and reducing emissions. Crowdfunding in Islamic finance complies with the Shariah, as offered under risk-sharing schemes like the Mudarabah and Qard Hasan; however, the integration of the cryptocurrency as an additional risk management tool faces regulatory and compliance difficulties. Despite recent growing academic attention since 2017, most prominently dropped by Malaysia and Indonesia, there exist gaps in understanding their synergistic role towards financial inclusion and strong sustainability (SS). Blockchain relieves gharar and automates contracts that are Shariah compliant; however, there are still regulatory disagreements. Planned performing and ethics theories, the Theory of Planned Behaviors and Maqasid al-Shariah educate about the open and fair influences in adoption and assessment procedures. Through the VOSviewer and Scopus data (20142025), 158 articles reveal a maximum of publications of 2024, a high of 2020 citations, and the two countries, Malaysia (60 documents) and Indonesia as the most significant ones, with such publications as the Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research. Recommendations on transparent, sustainable financial ecosystems involve better blockchain-based crowdfunding, Shariah-ajority digital currencies, and better cryptocurrency determinations.
Tobias Kranz, Vincent Schaaf, Tobias Guggenberger, Jens StrĂźker
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) promises to lay ground for a more open financial system enabled by blockchain technology. Therein, stablecoins have recently gained momentum as regulated and trusted payment instruments, increasingly adopted for cross-border transactions and supported by initiatives such as the GENIUS Act in the U.S. and the European MiCAR framework. While stablecoins create the foundation of trust for linking DeFi with traditional finance, the ecosystem still depends heavily on cryptocurrency markets due to limited real-world asset integration. Existing research largely focuses on traditional securities and tradable assets, but scant attention has been paid to one of the worldâs largest asset classes, real estate. To address this gap, we propose a framework for the tokenization of real estate for integration into the DeFi ecosystem. Using the Design Science Research (DSR) approach, we construct and evaluate our framework through expert interviews and smart contract simulations. The simulations validate technical feasibility and demonstrate efficiency gains, with batch transfers reducing transaction costs for portfolio purchases. Building on these evaluations, we derive design principles for the nascent field of real-world asset tokenization. These principles highlight the importance of covering the entire product range, pursuing end-to-end compliance, leveraging token standards for interoperability, and extending their functionality for efficiency and scalability. By combining regulatory, organizational, and technical perspectives, our work advances design knowledge for compliant integration of real-world assets into DeFi.
In this study, we employ an NFTs news attention (NFTATT) index to measure investor attention to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and examine its impact on the price crash risk of Bitcoin futures listed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Using a sample period spanning from February 2018 to June 2023, we document a negative relationship between NFTATT and Bitcoin price crash risk. Further analysis shows that the NFTATT index has a stronger mitigating effect on price crash risk when investor interest in NFTs is at a high level. Additionally, market sentiment, as measured by the crypto fear and greed index, tends to increase the likelihood of Bitcoin price crashes.
Traditional financial institutions (TFIs), particularly community banks and small asset management firms (SAMFs) with assets under $50 billion, face a trifecta of bottlenecks when accessing Web3: prohibitive technical barriers, fragmented regulatory compliance risks, and cognitive dissonance between crypto asset valuation and traditional financial logic. In the U.S. market, constrained by multi-agency oversight (SEC, OFAC, FinCEN), the adoption rate of Web3 access among these small TFIs remains merely 5.2% (SIFMA, 2025), far below the 37.8% penetration among large institutions with assets exceeding$500 billion. Leveraging my dual expertise in quantitative finance (CFA Level III) and Web3 multi-chain development (Uniswap V3/V4 protocol experience, daos.world multi-chain DAO incubation), this study constructs a three-dimensional synergistic theoretical framework integrating regulatory adaptation, technical simplification, and valuation migration. A low-barrier access pathway is proposed, centered on the âTradFi-Web3 Connectorâ systemâfeaturing compliant wallet custody based on EIP-4337 account abstraction and a traditional finance-derived Web3 asset valuation model. Empirical validation across 8 U.S. small TFIs (4 community banks, 4 SAMFs) over an 8-month period (MarchâOctober 2025) demonstrates that this pathway reduces the average onboarding cycle from 2.8 months to 9.7 days (82.5% improvement), cuts compliance costs by 61.3% (from $95,400 to$37,300 per annum), achieves a 92.4% investment decision accuracy rate, and maintains a 100% pass rate in SEC compliance reviews with zero regulatory incidents. This research fills a critical gap in low-barrier Web3 access for resource-constrained TFIs, provides a replicable paradigm for the digital transformation of U.S. traditional finance, and empirically validates the synergy between regulatory compliance and technical innovation in cross-ecosystem integration.
Industry 4.0 technologies are accelerating the digital transformation of financial systems, reshaping money, payment infrastructures, and the strategic role of central banks. This study examines the emergence of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) within this evolving landscape, exploring the evolution of payment systems, fintech integration, and the implications of distributed ledger technology and private cryptocurrencies. Using qualitative content analysis of secondary data, the paper compares the approaches of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, and the South African Reserve Bank to CBDC design, adoption, and regulation. Findings highlight shared policy concerns including cybersecurity, privacy, regulatory gaps, financial inclusion, and the need for international interoperability while revealing notable differences in institutional priorities and pace of development. The study underscores that central banks stand at a pivotal moment: their responses to Industry 4.0 innovations and digital currency initiatives will shape future monetary stability and the global financial order.
Dec 23, 2025¡Proceedings of the ... Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences/Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) integrate blockchain-based automation with novel forms of collective governance, yet research on them remains fragmented across technical and organizational silos, hindering a comprehensive understanding of DAOs as socio-technical systems. To bridge these gaps, we first conduct a systematic umbrella review of 12 prior surveys to map research themes and persistent gaps. Based on this analysis, we propose a novel, three-layer framework that explicitly links (i) technical artefacts (the infrastructure, e.g., tokens, smart contracts), (ii) governance logics (the rules, e.g., incentives, consensus mechanisms), and (iii) organizational manifestations (the outcomes, e.g., proposals, votes). By making cross-layer dependencies explicit, the framework enables more holistic theorizing, supports comparative empirical work, and provides a diagnostic tool for practitioners dealing with design trade-offs between decentralization, efficiency, and participation.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) enables financial services to operate without centralized intermediaries, using smart contracts and blockchain consensus to ensure transparency and trust minimization. While DeFi protocols like Aave and MakerDAO use overcollateralization to mitigate credit risk, this approach creates capital inefficiencies and limits access to borrowers lacking on-chain assets. This paper introduces Inverum, a novel DeFi lending protocol designed to support undercollateralized loans for Web3 businesses and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Inverum integrates on-chain credit scoring via soulbound tokens, decentralized liquidity pools, and governance-driven incentives to enable trustless, reputation-based lending. The protocol offers a fully composable framework for exploring undercollateralized lending without relying on traditional identity or off-chain reputation systems, contributing a research-ready model for future experimentation and protocol design.
This study examines the intersection of cryptocurrency, terrorism financing, and sustainable economic practice, highlighting impacts on financial accountability and global security.While cryptocurrencies offer financial inclusion and innovation, their pseudonymous and decentralized nature also facilitates illicit activities like terrorism financing.Using Financial Liberalization and Illicit Financial Flows theories, the research employs qualitative thematic analysis with 12 experts from regulatory, technical, law enforcement, and academic backgrounds.Findings reveal cryptocurrencies' dual potential for abuse and benefits such as low transaction fees.The study calls for effective global regulatory frameworks, enhanced public-private collaboration, and advanced tools like AI and blockchain analysis to manage risks.It advocates a balanced regulatory approach that promotes transparency and harnesses cryptocurrencies' benefits while ensuring security, recommending harmonized regulations, cooperative task forces, regulatory sandboxes, and mandatory compliance audits.
This study examines the influence of social media influencers (SMIs), fear of missing out (FOMO), and financial literacy on cryptocurrency investment decisions among Generation Z in Indonesia. A quantitative approach was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to Gen Z respondents, using purposive sampling and yielded 366 valid responses. The findings show that SMI primarily shape early interest by disseminating information, while FOMO dominates Gen Zâs investment behavior, driving impulsive decisions. As a moderator, FOMO negatively affects investment decisions, with fear outweighing influencer recommendations. Financial literacy emerges as the strongest predictor, fostering rational evaluation and reducing reliance on external cues. However, it does not strengthen SMIâs effect, underscoring the interplay of emotional, social, and cognitive factors in Gen Zâs cryptocurrency investments. This study provides new insights by jointly examining SMI, FOMO, and financial literacy on cryptocurrency investment decisions among Gen Z in Indonesia, an underexplored contextual and interactional perspective.
The application of blockchain-based smart contracts within Islamic finance presents both opportunities and significant governance challenges. While these technologies promise enhanced efficiency, automation, and immutability, their integration into Shariah-compliant financial instruments, such as Murabaha, Ijarah, and Sukuk, raises critical concerns regarding auditability, interpretive flexibility, and adherence to foundational Islamic legal and ethical principles. This study examines the tensions between automation and religious oversight by investigating how smart contracts intersect with Shariah governance and IT audit frameworks in Islamic financial institutions.Utilizing a qualitative multiple-case study approach, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with Shariah scholars, auditors, compliance officers, and blockchain developers across Islamic fintech ecosystems in Malaysia, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Thematic analysis, supported by document review, reveals systemic challenges in embedding ethical discretion and human oversight into immutable contractual code. Analytical framing is guided by established IT assurance frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ISO 27001) and Shariah governance standards issued by AAOIFI and IFSB.Findings highlight the emergence of "risk zones" where algorithmic rigidity, audit traceability limitations, and ethical ambiguity converge, potentially undermining religious compliance. In response, the study proposes a conceptual governance model that integrates technological assurance mechanisms with structured Shariah supervisory engagement. The findings contribute to the discourse on responsible FinTech governance in Islamic finance and offer practical implications for policymakers, auditors, and technology developers navigating the intersection of blockchain innovation and faith-based financial regulation.
Luca Pennella, Pietro Saggese, Fabio Pinelli, Letterio Galletta
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) applications introduce novel financial instruments replicating and extending traditional ones through blockchain-based smart contracts. Among these applications, DeFi derivatives protocols enable the creation and trading of decentralized derivative instruments whose value depends on underlying cryptoassets, indices, or other reference variables. Despite their growing significance, however, they remain relatively understudied compared to other DeFi protocols, such as lending protocols and decentralized exchanges. This paper systematically analyzes DeFi derivatives protocols, categorized into perpetuals, options, and synthetics, with the aim of comparing their instrument structures, protocol mechanisms, operational dynamics, and economic agents. We provide a formal characterization of the main classes of decentralized derivative instruments and develop a protocol-agnostic framework that connects instrument-level specifications, market-state variables, and protocol-level mechanisms. We complement the analytical framework with numerical simulations that evaluate how derivative positions evolve under varying economic conditions, including changes in underlying asset prices, volatility, protocol-specific fees, and leverage. Overall, this study provides a structured analytical framework for understanding and comparing the design and functioning of decentralized finance derivatives protocols.
Abstract The rise of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has introduced new fundraising mechanisms for startups. This study examines the interplay between Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and traditional entrepreneurial finance investors. Our findings document that while ICO funding amounts do not predict future funding success, prior business angel investment significantly increases the likelihood of securing follow-on funding. Co-investment by crypto funds during the ICO enhances follow-on funding opportunities, particularly for firms backed by hedge-style crypto investors. This research contributes to the entrepreneurial finance literature by examining how blockchain-based financing mechanisms integrate into the broader venture funding ecosystem.
This study examines the implementation of blockchain-based smart contracts in Islamic finance, focusing on the opportunities and challenges arising from their integration into contemporary financial systems. The scope of the research includes the technological characteristics of smart contracts, their compatibility with Sharia principles, and their potential applications across Islamic financial products such as sukuk, mudarabah, and murabahah. The main objective of this study is to analyze how smart contracts can enhance transparency, trust, and efficiency while identifying the legal, technical, and regulatory barriers that may hinder their adoption. Using a qualitative descriptive method supported by literature analysis from recent academic studies, regulatory reports, and case examples, this research evaluates both the transformative potential and practical constraints of blockchain technology in Islamic finance. The findings reveal that smart contracts offer significant benefits such as reduced transaction costs, improved compliance monitoring, and enhanced security. However, issues related to Sharia oversight, technological readiness, and regulatory frameworks remain substantial challenges. The study concludes that while blockchain-based smart contracts align with several objectives of Sharia, particularly transparency and justice, their widespread implementation requires collaborative efforts between technologists, Sharia scholars, and regulators to ensure both technological reliability and Sharia compliance.