Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy
DeFi, Central Bank Digital Currencies, and Blockchain
1st Edition
Published on 30. April 2025
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-0-19-284289-3 (ISBN)
Description
As the blockchain and decentralized finance industry crosses the $3 trillion-mark, market distortions and anticompetitive practices are starting to emerge. In this decentralized economy, antitrust and competition law are called to play a major role in preserving healthy competition and consumer welfare.
Against this backdrop, Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy explores all aspects of the application of EU competition and US antitrust law in decentralized finance, virtual assets, central bank digital currencies, and blockchain products and services. Using the latest caselaw and literature in law, economics, and computer science, this book discusses economic and commercial activity in decentralized markets, shows how to perform market definition and measure market power, and analyzes abuse of dominance, monopolization, and collusion in these markets.
In line with recent industry developments, Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy systematizes extant scholarship while breaking new ground, introducing new concepts of the decentralized economy and integrating them in the analytical framework of competition and antitrust law, making it readily usable by academics, practitioners, and competition authorities.
Against this backdrop, Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy explores all aspects of the application of EU competition and US antitrust law in decentralized finance, virtual assets, central bank digital currencies, and blockchain products and services. Using the latest caselaw and literature in law, economics, and computer science, this book discusses economic and commercial activity in decentralized markets, shows how to perform market definition and measure market power, and analyzes abuse of dominance, monopolization, and collusion in these markets.
In line with recent industry developments, Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy systematizes extant scholarship while breaking new ground, introducing new concepts of the decentralized economy and integrating them in the analytical framework of competition and antitrust law, making it readily usable by academics, practitioners, and competition authorities.
Reviews / Votes
Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy is a lucid roadmap to the competitive architecture of next generation finance. The monograph blends engaging case studies with rigorous doctrinal analysis, delivering exceptional value to scholars, regulators, and practitioners. Anyone seeking to understand how antitrust principles will govern decentralized finance, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and CBDCs will find this volume indispensable-a comprehensive, compelling must read for navigating competition law in a tokenized economy. * Nizan Geslevich Packin, Professor of Law at the City University of New York and the University of Haifa, and ECGI Academic Researcher * Stylianou's book is a ground-breaking and timely inquiry into the tension between traditional antitrust frameworks and the rapidly evolving architecture of decentralized markets. By unpacking the economic and legal contours of tokenomics and distributed governance, this book explores how traditional competition law adapts-or struggles to adapt-to a world of decentralized finance. Amid the hype surrounding decentralization, Stylianou resists easy narratives-offering instead a grounded analysis of what competition law can realistically achieve in this context, and where it may need to evolve. * Oscar Borgogno, Senior Research Officer at Bank of Italy and George Washington University * This monograph offers clarity and precision amidst the complex and ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technologies. Konstantinos does a great job explaining the unique issues around antitrust law that arise in a decentralized market setting and elegantly wraps a lot of concepts and data into an insightful monograph. Very informative and commendable work, and a highly recommended read. * Felix Irresberger, Professor of Finance, Durham University Business School *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 237 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
666 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-284289-3 (9780192842893)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Konstantinos Stylianou is a Professor of Competition Law and Regulation at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on digital markets, the choice between competition and regulation, and how markets are organized around new technologies. He has worked with, advised, trained or done research for various governments and BigTech companies, and has attracted funding from the EU, the UK Research Councils, national competition authorities, and numerous research institutions including the Fulbright and Onassis foundations. He is the co-creator of the db-comp.eu database. He holds an S.J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, an LL.M. from Harvard University, and an LL.B. and LL.M. from Aristotle University.
Content
Part I Fundamentals
1: Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy
2: Personal and Material Scope: Economic Activity and Undertakings in the Decentralized Economy
Part II Market Analysis
3: Market Definitions
4: Market Shares
5: Market Power
6: Barriers to Entry and Expansion
Part III Offences
7: Abuse of Dominance and Monopolization
8: Anticompetitive Agreements and Restraints of Trade
1: Antitrust in the Decentralized Economy
2: Personal and Material Scope: Economic Activity and Undertakings in the Decentralized Economy
Part II Market Analysis
3: Market Definitions
4: Market Shares
5: Market Power
6: Barriers to Entry and Expansion
Part III Offences
7: Abuse of Dominance and Monopolization
8: Anticompetitive Agreements and Restraints of Trade