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Understanding DeFi Through the Lens of a Production-Network Model

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan Chiu
  • Thorsten Koeppl
  • Hanna Yu
  • Shengxing Zhang

Abstract

Decentralized finance (DeFi) is composed of a variety of heterogeneous sectors that are interconnected through an input-output network of its tokens. We first use a panel data set to empirically document the evolution of the DeFi network across its different sectors. Instead of looking at the misleading measure of total value locked, we then employ a standard, theoretical production-network model to measure the value added and service outputs of the different DeFi sectors. Finally, based on a calibrated version of our model, we study which factors drive DeFi token prices and predict the equilibrium effects when network interconnectedness increases.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Chiu & Thorsten Koeppl & Hanna Yu & Shengxing Zhang, 2023. "Understanding DeFi Through the Lens of a Production-Network Model," Staff Working Papers 23-42, Bank of Canada.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bocawp:23-42
    DOI: 10.34989/swp-2023-42
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ye Li & Simon Mayer & Simon Mayer, 2021. "Money Creation in Decentralized Finance: A Dynamic Model of Stablecoin and Crypto Shadow Banking," CESifo Working Paper Series 9260, CESifo.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pietro Saggese & Michael Frowis & Stefan Kitzler & Bernhard Haslhofer & Raphael Auer, 2025. "Towards Verifiability of Total Value Locked (TVL) in Decentralized Finance," Papers 2505.14565, arXiv.org.
    2. Jonathan Chiu & Cyril Monnet, 2024. "Public and Private Money Creation for Distributed Ledgers: Stablecoins, Tokenized Deposits, or Central Bank Digital Currencies?," Staff Working Papers 24-35, Bank of Canada.
    3. Yichen Luo & Yebo Feng & Jiahua Xu & Paolo Tasca, 2024. "Piercing the Veil of TVL: DeFi Reappraised," Papers 2404.11745, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2025.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G - Financial Economics
    • G2 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services

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