The new digital economy: How decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are transforming value creation, ownership models, and economic systems

This editorial introduces the Special Issue on Emerging Digital Platforms and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The collected articles explore how disintermediation through blockchain technology is redefining value creation, ownership models, financial stability, and decentralized governance. Key insights are provided on the shift from centralized to community-driven value systems, the emergence of innovative business models linking physical and digital assets, and the integration of traditional and digital financial tools for enhanced risk management. The issue also examines the complexities of decentralization, highlighting both the potential for democratizing finance and the challenges related to the concentration of influence within decentralized networks. Together, these studies provide a comprehensive understanding of how DeFi, in general, and NFTs, in particular, are reshaping economic interactions, fostering new forms of participation, and creating opportunities for more transparent and equitable economic systems.