Quantitative assessment of the degree of blockchain decentralization: dynamics of the Nakamoto ratio.

Introduction. Forming an interdisciplinary field in which the interests of socio-economic and information-mathematical spheres intersect, the issues of creating and developing digital platforms are finding an increasing response in modern research. Blockchain technology presents limitless opportunities for innovation on digital platforms. Due to the immutable nature of information, it increases the level of security and flexibility, allowing users to make transparent and secure transactions. The lack of obligations of blockchain networks to provide information in a single form often makes it difficult to correctly assess the impact of various factors on the degree of their decentralization. Goal. The purpose of this study was to propose a toolkit for assessing the degree of blockchain decentralization, allowing users, investors, and developers to make decisions based on empirical evidence. Materials and methods. In the article, the authors present the results of an analysis of factors influencing the degree of decentralization of blockchain networks, to assess the dynamics of which the Nakamoto coefficient was used. The results show fluctuations in the degree of decentralization due to both internal factors (changes in the consensus algorithm, competition among validators) and external factors (regulatory changes, economic incentives). Results and discussions. As a result, the dependence of the indicator value on the metrics typical for digital platforms was obtained. The trends towards the concentration of resources in the hands of a limited number of subjects are revealed, which calls into question the declared decentralization of individual blockchains. The applied significance of the results lies in the possibility of developing control actions based on them both at the state level and at the level of blockchain networks in order to prevent the creation of a centralized system. Conclusion. In addition, strategies can be developed and proposed to encourage more actors to participate in consensus, diversify computing power, and prevent the formation of large pools.

1. Dolzhenko RA, Dolzhenko SB. Review of the literature on blockchain in economic research. Creative Economy. 2022;16(12):4899-4918. https://doi.org/10.18334/ce.16.12.116657 (In Russ.).

2. Gotskaya IB, Ateev KO. A Study of Voting Power Distribution and Diversity Metrics in Decentralized Autonomous Organizations. Economics, Law, Innovation. 2024;(3):60-67. https://doi.org/10.17586/2713-1874-2024-3-60-67 (In Russ.).

3. Fedotova VV, Yemelyanov BG, Tipner LM. The Concept of Blockchain and the Possibility of Using It. European Science. 2018;1(33):40-48 (In Russ.).

4. Korinnoy AG. The shadow component in the use of cryptocurrencies. Bulletin of Omsk University. 2022;(1):27-33. https://doi.org/10.24147/1812-3988. (In Russ.).

5. Kuzmenkova V.D. The impact of blockchain on the Development of the Economy. Krasnoyarsk Science: Economic Journal. 2021;10(4):129-142. https://doi.org/10.12731/2070-7568-2021-10-4-129-142 (In Russ.).

6. Monakhova IV, Kalmykov KA. Management in the field of decentralized finance based on blockchain technologies. St. Petersburg University Journal of Economic Studies. 2024;40(3):416-432. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu05.2024.304 (In Russ.).

7. Savelyev AI. Contract Law 2.0: «Smart» contracts as the beginning of the end of classical contract law. Bulletin of Civil Law. 2016;16(3):32-60 (In Russ.).

8. Shakhnazarov BA. Complex Interconnection of Blockchain Technology and Intellectual Property in Cross-Border Private Law Relations. Right. Journal of the Higher School of Economics. 2019;(5):121-147. https://doi.org/10.17323/2072-8166.2019.5.121.147 (In Russ.).

9. Buterin V. (2014) A next-generation smart contract and decentralized application platform. – Durham, Ethereum White Paper. Available at: https://blockchainlab.com/pdf/Ethereum_white_paper-a_next_generation_smart_contract_and_decentralized_application_platformvitalik-buterin.pdf, [Accessed 03 Septemder 2025].

10. Filippi P, Lavayssière X. 7 Blockchain Technology: Toward a Decentralized Governance of Digital Platforms. Goleta, The Great Awakening: New Modes of Life amidst Capitalist Ruins; 2022. 218 p. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.2353884.9

11. Lin Q, Li C, Zhao X, Chen X. Measuring Decentralization in Bitcoin and Ethereum using Multiple Metrics and Granularities. Beijing, International Conference on Data Engineering Workshops; 2021. 82 p. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2101.10699

12. Tapscott D, Tapscott A. Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business, and the World. London: Penguin; 2016. 384 р.

13. Tasca P, Tessona C. A taxonomy of Blockchain Technologies: Principles of Identification and Classification. Pittsburgh, Ledger Journal. 2019. 10 p. https://doi.org/10.5195/ledger.2019.140