Investment models on centralized and decentralized cryptocurrency markets

Abstract

Purpose. Significant capital inflows in the cryptocurrency market and record-breaking prices on cryptocurrency assets have led to the creation of alternative investment options on cryptocurrency markets, including a new field of decentralized investing, known as decentralized finance, operating on smart contracts. The objective of this study is to review investment options in the industry sector available to investors on cryptocurrency markets and decentralized protocols. Methodology. The model of decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges was used in the article. It is based on providing liquidity into the liquidity pool. Findings. The results of this study demonstrate that new industrial cryptocurrency investors have a wide range of investment options that can outperform strategies like passive holding of cryptocurrency or investing in the stock. Given the liquidity mining model attracts early investors, they need to look at assets such as governance tokens of different platforms. The Sharpe ratio of COMP and UNI tokens is higher than S&P500. In addition, these tokens are mined via a liquidity mining model. Originality. The crypto market has been growing rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic. The calculations for crypto assets might be influenced by the bull run on the crypto market because the last time such high Sharpe ratio for BTC and ETH was observed during the 20172018 cryptocurrency bubble. Investing in the crypto market is riskier than investing in the stock market due to high operational risks. Crypto market investors might prefer to mine or buy UNI or COMP tokens to diversify their portfolios. Practical value. According to the analysis results of the received information, a Sharpe ratio of investments in protocols for loanable funds is lower compared to investment options on the stock market or CeFi lending. It is also potentially riskier due to volatile interest rates and high operational risks.