Original Link: Economics of Tokenized Incentives 3: Token Value Won’t Align Stakeholders

Author: Cathy Barrera, PhD

Summary

While many in the blockchain space believe that creating a native token can align the incentives of users with the platform's interests, the post argues that token value is a poor performance metric for incentivizing desired behaviors. The value of a token is not necessarily aligned with the long-term value of the platform, and it's not within the control of individual participants. The post outlines five problems that can arise from using token value as a performance metric: innocuous gaming, malicious gaming, multitasking, free riding, and risk misalignment.

Commentary

The choice of performance metrics in a pay-for-performance system can significantly impact the behavior of participants and the overall success of the platform. While token value might seem like an obvious choice for a performance metric, it can lead to unintended consequences and may not effectively incentivize the behaviors that are beneficial for the platform. Therefore, it's crucial to choose metrics that align with the platform's goals and are within the control of the participants.

Actionable Insights

1. Choose Metrics Carefully: When designing a pay-for-performance system, take the time to choose the right performance metrics. Consider whether the metrics align with the platform's goals and are within the control of the participants.

2. Consider Other Incentive Structures: If a suitable performance metric cannot be found, consider other incentive structures. For example, reputation systems and pricing mechanisms can be effective in certain contexts.

3. Understand the Potential Problems: Be aware of the potential problems that can arise from using token value as a performance metric, such as gaming, multitasking, free riding, and risk misalignment. Monitor for these issues and be prepared to make adjustments if necessary.

4. Design Targeted Rewards Schemes: Understand the activities that drive value for the platform and design targeted rewards schemes to incentivize these behaviors. The performance metrics used and the size of the rewards should be optimized to encourage the desired behaviors.

5. Communicate Clearly: Ensure that participants understand the incentive system and how they can benefit from it. Clear communication can help to encourage participation and ensure that the system is used effectively.