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Natural Centralization in Decentralized Finance

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Abstract

Can centralization arise absent barriers to entry? We confront this question by studying the Ethereum blockchain, a market featuring permissionless entry, standardized protocols, and a transparent public ledger. We show that natural centralization emerges when information asymmetry confronts risk-sharing. Using a novel dataset distinguishing private from public order flow, we find that a 1 percent increase in the value of private information causally increases an intermediary’s profit share by 0.57 percent. We use a dynamic bargaining model to illustrate that intermediaries leverage private information by threatening to withhold valuable trades, creating an outside option that sustains their market power. Our results provide causal evidence that information can be a fundamental source of endogenous centralization in the market structure, demonstrating how natural oligopolies can emerge even in purportedly decentralized economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo D. Azar & Adrian Casillas & Maryam Farboodi, 2024. "Natural Centralization in Decentralized Finance," Staff Reports 1102, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fednsr:98219
    DOI: 10.59576/sr.1102
    Note: Revised August 2025. Previous title: “Information and Market Power in DeFi Intermediation.”
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Sockin & Wei Xiong, 2020. "A Model of Cryptocurrencies," NBER Working Papers 26816, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Jason Milionis & Ciamac C. Moallemi & Tim Roughgarden, 2023. "Automated Market Making and Arbitrage Profits in the Presence of Fees," Papers 2305.14604, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2025.
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    Cited by:

    1. Phoebe Tian & Yu Zhu, 2025. "Liquidation Mechanisms and Price Impacts in DeFi," Staff Working Papers 25-12, Bank of Canada.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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