? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform. How many times have you received money in the form of gift vouchers, extra points for phone credits, or game tokens? Probably a lot. Tokens have always existed alongside traditional forms of currency, but their presence has become more pronounced as tech giants enter the fray. Rachel O’Dwyer delves into the evolving landscape of digital economies and the increasing prevalence of tokens as a form of currency. She further explores how various online platforms are issuing their own money-like tokens such as Amazon Mechanical Turk that pay compensations to workers via gift cards or when we receive foreign remittances that are transferred via phone credit. By examining the history of alternative economies,O’Dwyer argues that the shift towards platform-based money disrupts the balance of power between online platforms and the state in turn, granting platforms a new alarming power. It’s an insightful read that is longlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year, and is suitable for those interested in understanding the impact of digital currencies in our society.

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