A model of trust in Ethereum token ‘Ether’ payments, TRUSTEP

Ethereum is being utilised in various ways including smart contracts and payments. Research in cryptocurrency payments has either been general, about all cryptocurrencies, or focused primarily on Bitcoin. Despite some similarities with Bitcoin, Ethereum is a different technology, with different governance and support. This research focuses on payments with the Ethereum, and puts forward a model of trust in Ethereum payments. The model has three variables from the person’s individual characteristics: The user’s predisposition to using innovations in (a) finance and (b) technology, influence (c) their predisposition to trust in this payment process. There are then five variables from the context: (d) Adoption and reputation, (e) stable value and low transaction fees, (f) effective regulation, (g) trust in the payment intermediaries and (h) trust in the seller. The personal and contextual factors together influence (i) trust in the Ethereum payment process, and this leads to (j) making a payment with Ethereum. Reference: Zarifis A. (2023) ‘A Model of Trust in Ethereum Token ‘Ether’ Payments, TRUSTEP’, Businesses, vol.3, no.4, pp.534-547. Available from (open access): https://doi.org/10.3390/businesses3040033