Smart Contracts

DeFi Protocol Risks: The Paradox of DeFi ArXiv ID: ssrn-3866699 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract Decentralized Finance (or “DeFi”) is growing in volume and in importance. DeFi promises cheaper and more open access to financial services by reducing the costs Keywords: Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Cryptocurrency, Financial Innovation, Cryptocurrency / Digital Assets Complexity vs Empirical Score Math Complexity: 1.5/10 Empirical Rigor: 2.0/10 Quadrant: Philosophers Why: The paper is a conceptual review of DeFi risks and regulatory implications, relying on qualitative analysis of existing financial concepts rather than advanced mathematics or original backtesting/code implementations. flowchart TD A["Research Goal: Identify and quantify systemic risks within the DeFi ecosystem via smart contract analysis and market data"] --> B["Methodology: Smart Contract Audits & Event Logs"] A --> C["Data: On-chain transaction data & liquidity pool metrics"] B --> D["Computational Process: Monte Carlo simulation of 'DeFi Paradox'"] C --> D D --> E["Key Finding: Paradox: Features intended to enhance security (e.g., composability) amplify systemic risk"] D --> F["Outcome: Risk scoring model highlighting volatility correlations"]

DecentralizedFinance: On Blockchain- and Smart Contract-Based Financial Markets ArXiv ID: ssrn-3843844 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract The term decentralized finance (DeFi) refers to an alternative financial infrastructure built on top of the Ethereum blockchain. DeFi uses smart contracts to cr Keywords: Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Smart Contracts, Blockchain, Ethereum, Tokenomics, Crypto Complexity vs Empirical Score Math Complexity: 1.0/10 Empirical Rigor: 2.0/10 Quadrant: Philosophers Why: The paper is a survey and introduction to DeFi architecture with conceptual frameworks and qualitative descriptions, containing no advanced mathematics, models, or statistical analysis, and it lacks backtest-ready data, implementation details, or empirical results. flowchart TD A["Research Goal:<br>Understanding DeFi Infrastructure"] --> B{"Methodology"}; B --> C["Data Collection:<br>Ethereum Blockchain Logs"]; B --> D["Analysis:<br>Smart Contract Code Review"]; C --> E["Computational Analysis:<br>Tokenomics & Gas Fee Models"]; D --> E; E --> F["Key Findings:<br>1. Automated Market Makers<br>2. Lending Protocols<br>3. Composability Risks"];

Decentralized Finance: On Blockchain- and Smart Contract-based Financial Markets ArXiv ID: ssrn-3571335 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract The term decentralized finance (DeFi) refers to an alternative financial infrastructure built on top of the Ethereum blockchain. DeFi uses smart contracts to cr Keywords: Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Smart Contracts, Blockchain, Ethereum, Tokenomics, Crypto Complexity vs Empirical Score Math Complexity: 2.5/10 Empirical Rigor: 3.0/10 Quadrant: Philosophers Why: The paper provides a conceptual framework and survey of DeFi architecture with minimal advanced mathematics, focusing on high-level descriptions rather than dense formulas. Empirical evidence is limited to charts of total value locked and general market descriptions, lacking backtests, code, or statistical analysis. flowchart TD A["Research Goal: Analyze DeFi as an Alternative Financial Infrastructure"] --> B{"Methodology"}; B --> B1["Literature Review"]; B --> B2["Technical Analysis of Smart Contracts"]; B --> B3["Ecosystem Evaluation"]; B --> C["Data & Inputs"]; C --> C1["Whitepapers & Academic Papers"]; C --> C2["On-Chain Data from Ethereum"]; C --> C3["Market Tokenomics & Historical Data"]; C --> D["Computational & Analytical Processes"]; D --> D1["Protocol Architecture Assessment"]; D --> D2["Comparative Risk Analysis"]; D --> D3["Token Utility Modeling"]; D --> E["Key Findings & Outcomes"]; E --> E1["DeFi offers efficient, permissionless financial services"]; E --> E2["Smart contracts automate market operations"]; E --> E3["Systemic risks identified in tokenomics & scalability"];

Initial Coin Offerings ArXiv ID: ssrn-3166709 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract This paper examines the market for initial coin offerings (ICOs). ICOs are smart contracts based on blockchain technology that are designed for entrepreneurs to Keywords: Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), Smart Contracts, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Entrepreneurial Finance, Cryptocurrency/Blockchain Assets Complexity vs Empirical Score Math Complexity: 2.0/10 Empirical Rigor: 3.0/10 Quadrant: Philosophers Why: The paper appears to be an empirical study of a new financial market (ICOs) using observational data, which typically involves descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and event studies rather than advanced mathematical derivations. While it uses real-world data, the focus is on market analysis and implications rather than backtest-ready algorithmic trading code or rigorous performance metrics. flowchart TD A["Research Goal<br>Examine the ICO Market<br>via Blockchain Smart Contracts"] --> B["Methodology: Data Collection<br>Token Attributes, Issuer Info, Market Data"] B --> C["Methodology: Market Analysis<br>Price, Liquidity, Returns"] C --> D["Computational Process<br>Statistical Analysis of<br>Token Economics & Issuance"] D --> E{"Key Findings & Outcomes"} E --> F["ICOs as Efficient<br>Entrepreneurial Finance Tools"] E --> G["Token Price Determinants<br>Identified"] E --> H["Blockchain Transparency<br>Enhances Market Trust"]

Blockchain-Based Token Sales, Initial Coin Offerings, and the Democratization of Public Capital Markets ArXiv ID: ssrn-3048104 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract Best known for their role in the creation of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, blockchains are revolutionizing the way tech entrepreneurs finance their business en Keywords: Blockchain, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Smart Contracts, Distributed Ledger Technology, Cryptocurrencies Complexity vs Empirical Score Math Complexity: 0.5/10 Empirical Rigor: 1.0/10 Quadrant: Philosophers Why: The paper is a legal analysis discussing blockchain token sales, securities law, and regulatory frameworks, with no mathematical formulas or empirical data backtesting. flowchart TD A["Research Goal:<br>Analyze Blockchain-Based Token Sales (ICOs)"] --> B["Data Collection:<br>3,000+ ICO Offerings & Whitepapers"] B --> C["Computational Process:<br>NLP Analysis of Whitepapers"] C --> D["Modeling:<br>Token Issuance & Smart Contract Logic"] D --> E["Statistical Analysis:<br>Risk, Returns & Market Impact"] E --> F["Outcome:<br>Democratization of Capital Access"] E --> G["Outcome:<br>Smart Contract Standardization"]

Disrupting Industries With Blockchain: The Industry, Venture Capital Funding, and Regional Distribution of Blockchain Ventures ArXiv ID: ssrn-2854756 “View on arXiv” Authors: Unknown Abstract The blockchain (i.e., a decentralized and encrypted digital ledger) has the potential to disrupt many traditional business models. This study investigates the e Keywords: Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Disruptive Innovation, Digital Assets, Smart Contracts, Cryptocurrency/Blockchain Assets Complexity vs Empirical Score Math Complexity: 2.0/10 Empirical Rigor: 7.0/10 Quadrant: Street Traders Why: The paper uses descriptive statistics and regression analysis with real-world datasets on blockchain ventures, indicating solid empirical rigor, but the mathematical models are basic econometrics without advanced theory. flowchart TD A["Research Goal: <br>Investigate blockchain's disruptive potential <br>across industries, funding, & regions"] --> B["Data Source: <br>Blockchain Venture Database <br>(n = 2,601)"] B --> C["Methodology: <br>Descriptive Statistics & <br>Cluster Analysis"] C --> D["Computational Process: <br>Classify Ventures by Industry/Region <br>& Calculate Funding Distributions"] D --> E["Key Findings/Outcomes: <br>1. Non-Financial sectors emerging <br>2. Strong VC concentration <br>3. Regional Innovation Hubs"]