Demur-rage currencies in Blockchain

The way we do financial transactions has been completely transformed by blockchain technology. It has produced an unchangeable, decentralized system that guarantees security and transparency. However, the use of demurrage currencies in blockchain technology has been underutilized. Alternatives to conventional currencies, demurrage currencies offer distinctive qualities that draw people in. In this post, we'll look into blockchain-based demurrage currencies and their possible advantages.

What are Demurrage Currencies?

Demurrage currencies are those whose value depreciates over time. Demurrage currencies aim to increase consumption by discouraging hoarding. Demurrage currencies are not a novel idea; they have been applied in the past, notably during periods of economic unrest. The Wörgl money, which was used in Austria during the Great Depression, is the most well-known illustration of a demurrage currency. The local government utilized the Wörgl money to pay for public works projects, although it depreciated at a rate of 1% each month.

Currency issued under a demurrage has an expiration date, which sets it apart from conventional currencies. To accommodate the demands of the currency's users, this expiration date can be changed. A currency may, for instance, lose value at a rate of 1% per week or 1% per day. To promote spending and discourage hoarding, the expiration date was created.

How do Demurrage Currencies Work in Blockchain?

Demurrage currencies may now be created that are safe and transparent thanks to blockchain technology. These currencies are based on blockchain networks and use smart contracts to function. Smart contracts are preprogrammed to automatically carry out the conditions of the parties' agreement. Smart contracts are employed in the case of demurrage currencies to control the currency's expiration date.

The smart contract includes a provision for the currency's expiry date. The smart contract subtracts a specific percentage from the value of the currency at predetermined intervals when a user gets demurrage cash. Depending on the demands of the currency's users, this deduction can be programmed to happen daily, weekly, or monthly. It is impossible to halt or change the automatic deduction.

Benefits of Demurrage Currencies in Blockchain

There are several benefits to using demurrage currencies in blockchain, including:

1. Encouraging Spending: Demurrage currencies discourage hoarding and promote spending. This is because the currency loses value over time, so users are incentivized to spend it before it expires.
2. Stability: Demurrage currencies can provide stability in times of economic uncertainty. They can help prevent inflation and stabilize the value of a currency.
3. Sustainability: Demurrage currencies can promote sustainable practices by encouraging users to spend their currency on environmentally-friendly products and services.
4. Decentralization: Demurrage currencies are decentralized, meaning they are not controlled by a central authority. This makes them more resistant to manipulation and corruption.
5. Community Building: Demurrage currencies can be used to build communities around a shared set of values. For example, a demurrage currency could be used to fund local public works projects or support local businesses.

Specific Examples of Demurrage Currencies in Blockchain

There are several demurrage currencies that are currently being developed or are already in use in blockchain. Some examples include:

1. Freicoin: Freicoin is a cryptocurrency that was launched in 2013. It is a demurrage currency that loses value at a rate of 5% per year. The purpose of Freicoin is to encourage spending and prevent hoarding. Freicoin operates on the Bitcoin blockchain.
2. Circles: Circles is a blockchain-based social currency that was launched in 2020. It is a demurrage currency that loses value at a rate of 5% per month. The purpose of Circles is to promote community building and social interactions. Circles operates on the xDai blockchain.
3. Earth Dollar: Earth Dollar is a blockchain-based currency that was launched in 2018. It is a demurrage currency that loses value at a rate of 3.5% per year. The purpose of Earth Dollar is to promote sustainable practices and fund environmental projects. Earth Dollar operates on the Ethereum blockchain.
4. Mutual Credit: Mutual Credit is a blockchain-based currency that was launched in 2016. It is a demurrage currency that loses value at a rate of 5% per month. The purpose of Mutual Credit is to promote community building and local economic development. Mutual Credit operates on the Open Credit Network blockchain.

Challenges of Demurrage Currencies in Blockchain

Although demurrage currencies provide a number of advantages, they are not without drawbacks. The biggest obstacle is user acceptability. Users could be cautious to use demurrage currencies since they differ from conventional currencies. The difficulty of deploying demurrage currency on a big scale presents another difficulty. Governments and corporations must provide major technical infrastructure in order for this to be possible.