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Journal : Enigma in Economics

Plutocracy in the Protocol: A Quantitative Triangulation of Power Concentration in Decentralized Finance Governance Arya Ganendra; Neva Dian Permana; Muhammad Faiz; Henry Clifford
Enigma in Economics Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Enigma in Economics
Publisher : Enigma Institute

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61996/economy.v3i2.104

Abstract

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) proposes a paradigm shift towards a democratized financial ecosystem governed by its users. This vision of decentralization is predicated on the distribution of governance tokens. However, the verity of this claim lacks rigorous empirical validation, raising concerns about a potential "decentralization illusion." This study quantitatively investigates the concentration of governance power within leading DeFi protocols to empirically test this narrative. We employed a multi-faceted quantitative triangulation framework using on-chain data from three archetypal DeFi protocols, selected to represent the core sectors of the ecosystem: a lending market (ProtoLend), a decentralized exchange (ProtoSwap), and a yield aggregator (ProtoYield). Our methodology integrates: (1) Empirical Network Analysis based on on-chain voting power delegation to map the topology of influence; (2) Economic Inequality Metrics, including the Gini Coefficient and Lorenz Curve Analysis, to quantify the distribution of governance tokens; and (3) Systemic Risk Assessment via the Nakamoto Coefficient to determine the minimum number of colluding actors required for a 51% governance attack. The empirical network analysis revealed a distinct core-periphery topology across all protocols, indicative of highly centralized influence structures. This was substantiated by extreme economic inequality, with Gini coefficients of 0.91 for ProtoLend, 0.95 for ProtoSwap, and 0.89 for ProtoYield. Lorenz curves visually confirmed that a minuscule fraction of holders controls the vast majority of voting power. The Nakamoto coefficients were critically low, calculated at 8 for ProtoLend, 5 for ProtoSwap, and 11 for ProtoYield, exposing profound vulnerabilities to collusion and capture. In conclusion, our findings provide robust, triangulated evidence of a pervasive "decentralization illusion" within DeFi. Governance power is not distributed but is instead highly concentrated, replicating the plutocratic power dynamics of traditional finance. This concentration poses significant systemic risks and fundamentally challenges the core value proposition of the DeFi ecosystem.
Pricing Sustainability in Decentralized Finance: An Empirical Analysis of the ESG Premium in Digital Assets Anies Fatmawati; Aylin Yermekova; Andi Fatihah Syahrir; Neva Dian Permana
Enigma in Economics Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Enigma in Economics
Publisher : Enigma Institute

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61996/economy.v3i2.109

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital assets has created a conflict between technological innovation and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, particularly concerning the energy consumption of legacy consensus mechanisms. This has led to the emergence of "sustainable" cryptocurrencies, raising the critical question of whether the market financially rewards sustainability. This study quantitatively investigates the existence and magnitude of an "ESG premium" in the digital asset market. A quasi-longitudinal study was conducted on a panel dataset of 20 cryptocurrencies (10 sustainable, 10 traditional) from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2024. A detailed, transparent composite ESG score was developed to measure sustainability. The primary analysis utilized a panel data fixed-effects regression model to assess the relationship between asset prices and ESG scores, controlling for market capitalization, trading volume, market-wide indices, and key technological factors like protocol age, scalability, and developer activity. To address endogeneity and validate causality, we employed models with lagged independent variables. Further robustness checks were performed across bull and bear market sub-periods. A GARCH (1,1) model was used to analyze differences in price volatility. The primary regression model reveals a statistically and economically significant positive relationship between ESG scores and cryptocurrency prices. A 10-point increase in the ESG score is associated with a 4.1% price premium (b=0.0041, p < 0.001), even after controlling for technological modernity. This finding remains robust in models using lagged variables and across different market cycles. GARCH analysis confirms that sustainable cryptocurrencies exhibit significantly lower price volatility. In conclusion, the findings provide strong, robust empirical evidence for a persistent ESG premium in the cryptocurrency market. This suggests that investors price in the perceived long-term viability, reduced risk profile, and ethical alignment of sustainable assets, signaling a maturation of the market where non-financial, sustainability-focused metrics are integral to asset valuation.