Shadow Digital Economy

Abstract

The article is devoted to the shadow digital economy as part of the shadow economy. The authors believe that, unlike the traditional shadow economy, the digital shadow economy is aimed not only at making a profit, but also at getting access to valuable digital, financial resources and/or databases. This topic is poorly studied in Russia, while foreign research centers have already started a serious analysis of statistical data on the digital shadow economy for commercial purposes. Most of the sources of this study are foreign publications, which indicates the international nature of the analyzed phenomenon. The lack of consensus of the world community on the shadow markets and cryptocurrency as products of the shadow digital economy leads to the lack of joint and more effective international cooperation in combatting financial cyber-crime, as well as international criminal syndicates engaged in the sale of illegal products. The authors give arguments about the relevance of this phenomenon to the realities of the Russian Federation, offer their own scientific definition of the shadow digital economy and give appropriate recommendations to combat this phenomenon.