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On The Quality Of Cryptocurrency Markets: Centralized Versus Decentralized Exchanges

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Barbon

    (University of St. Gallen)

  • Angelo Ranaldo

    (University of St. Gallen)

Abstract

Despite the growing adoption of decentralized exchanges, little is known about their market quality. Using a comprehensive dataset, we compare decentralized blockchain-based venues (DEXs) to centralized crypto exchanges (CEXs) assessing two aspects of market quality: price efficiency and market liquidity. We find that CEXs provide better market quality and identify the main friction dampening DEX efficiency as the high gas price stemming from proof-of-work blockchains. We propose and empirically validate a stylized model of DEX liquidity provision, linking trading volume, protocol fees, and liquidity. We identify quantitative conditions needed for DEXs to overtake CEXs in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Barbon & Angelo Ranaldo, 2022. "On The Quality Of Cryptocurrency Markets: Centralized Versus Decentralized Exchanges," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 22-38, Swiss Finance Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2238
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Yutong Quan & Xintong Wu & Wanlin Deng & Luyao Zhang, 2023. "Decoding Social Sentiment in DAO: A Comparative Analysis of Blockchain Governance Communities," Papers 2311.14676, arXiv.org.
    2. Austin Adams & Benjamin Y Chan & Sarit Markovich & Xin Wan, 2023. "Don't Let MEV Slip: The Costs of Swapping on the Uniswap Protocol," Papers 2309.13648, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2024.
    3. Quan, Yutong & Wu, Xintong & Deng, Wanlin & Zhang, Luyao, 2023. "Decoding Social Sentiment in DAO: A Comparative Analysis of Blockchain Governance Communities," OSF Preprints bq6tu, Center for Open Science.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Decentralized Exchanges; Automated Market Making; Blockchain; Decentralized Finance; Market Quality; Limit Order Book;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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