A New Frontier for Financial Systems. Exploring the Role and Implications of Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are new financial instruments that pose opportunities and challenges for modern finance. This paper synthesizes previous research using a literature review method and various academic databases. The results show that cryptocurrencies offer lower transaction costs, greater privacy, diversification benefits, and alternative financing solutions for institutional investors and individuals. However, they also face challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, criminal activity, environmental costs, prohibitions and restrictions on use, security and privacy concerns, and high volatility. The paper provides useful information for the academic and professional public who want to understand these new financial instruments. The research question is, “What are the opportunities and challenges of cryptocurrencies in modern finance?”