Sustainable Growth and Token Economy Design: The Case of Steemit

Moon Soo Kim and Jee Yong Chung
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Moon Soo Kim: Department of Crypto MBA, Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies (aSSIST), Seoul 03767, Korea
Jee Yong Chung: Department of Business Administration, Duksung Women’s University, Seoul 01369, Korea

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Cryptocurrency blockchain technology is attracting worldwide attention, and the number of initial coin offerings (ICOs) is increasing rapidly. This new economic trend, called cryptoeconomics, can program human behavior through incentive design. A cryptocurrency-based incentive system is not only transparent, but also allows businesses to substitute initial investment costs with cryptocurrency tokens until they are on a sustainable growth trajectory in terms of network effects. This study aims to propose a process for building a desirable model of a token economy, based on the case of Steemit—a blogging and social networking website that is creating high values due to its efficient token economy model. We suggest the following design process of a token economy model: (1) Determine token-business fit, (2) determine the chance of success, (3) determine the properties of token, (4) give tokens intrinsic value, (5) establish strategies to raise token value, (6) establish operational strategies of token economy system, (7) establish strategies for token liquidation, and (8) continue modifying the operational base. Considering cryptoeconomics is still at an early stage, it is expected that the guidelines on the token economy model suggested in this paper will lay a significant foundation for the development of cryptoeconomics research.

Keywords: cryptocurrency; blockchain; cryptoeconomics; ICO; token economy; Steemit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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