TY - JOUR
T1 - Systematic review of the global impact of cryptocurrencies
T2 - adoption factors, challenges, environmental effects and cyber risks
AU - Flores-Castañeda, Rosalynn Ornella
AU - Olaya-Cotera, Sandro
AU - Sánchez Atuncar, Giancarlo
AU - Iparraguirre-Villanueva, Orlando
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Nakamoto, the creator of cryptocurrencies, did not estimate the impact it would have on the global financial ecosystem. In this literature review, we searched for manuscripts related to cryptocurrencies published between 2021 and 2025 in four databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis and Springer. The Prisma methodology was used for the analysis and systematization of the manuscripts found. The purpose of this research is to analyze the impact of cryptocurrencies in the global financial ecosystem, identifying the main factors that favor their adoption, the challenges associated with their integration, regulation and environmental impact. As a result of the analysis, factors that determine the adoption of cryptocurrencies were identified: geographic decentralization, market sentiment, monetary instability, anonymity, among others. Secondly, the challenges associated with their adoption were found: volatility, cryptographic crashes, cybersecurity, among others. Thirdly, the impacts on the environment were found: carbon footprint, massive electricity consumption, obsolescence and technological waste, among others. Fourthly, it was found that cyber-attacks can be carried out using cryptocurrencies: Ponzi scheme, ransomware, phishing, among others. Finally, it is concluded that this research contributes to the existing knowledge on cryptocurrencies by integrating various theoretical approaches related to their adoption, environmental impact and cyber risks, thus providing a solid foundation for future research and informed decisions in this field.
AB - Nakamoto, the creator of cryptocurrencies, did not estimate the impact it would have on the global financial ecosystem. In this literature review, we searched for manuscripts related to cryptocurrencies published between 2021 and 2025 in four databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis and Springer. The Prisma methodology was used for the analysis and systematization of the manuscripts found. The purpose of this research is to analyze the impact of cryptocurrencies in the global financial ecosystem, identifying the main factors that favor their adoption, the challenges associated with their integration, regulation and environmental impact. As a result of the analysis, factors that determine the adoption of cryptocurrencies were identified: geographic decentralization, market sentiment, monetary instability, anonymity, among others. Secondly, the challenges associated with their adoption were found: volatility, cryptographic crashes, cybersecurity, among others. Thirdly, the impacts on the environment were found: carbon footprint, massive electricity consumption, obsolescence and technological waste, among others. Fourthly, it was found that cyber-attacks can be carried out using cryptocurrencies: Ponzi scheme, ransomware, phishing, among others. Finally, it is concluded that this research contributes to the existing knowledge on cryptocurrencies by integrating various theoretical approaches related to their adoption, environmental impact and cyber risks, thus providing a solid foundation for future research and informed decisions in this field.
KW - Challenges
KW - Cryptocurrencies
KW - Cyber risks
KW - Environmental effects
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105007917315&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11135-025-02225-4
DO - 10.1007/s11135-025-02225-4
M3 - Artículo
AN - SCOPUS:105007917315
SN - 0033-5177
JO - Quality and Quantity
JF - Quality and Quantity
ER -