Close proximity is the key to knowledge spillovers among startups
New research from MIT Sloan finds that physical distances within 20 meters lead to more knowledge spillover among startups.
Faculty
Christian Catalini is the founder of the MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab, and a Research Scientist at the MIT Sloan School.
Christian is a also co-creator of Diem (formerly Libra), and the chief economist of the Diem Association.
Christian was previously the Theodore T. Miller Career Development Professor at MIT, and Associate Professor of Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management at the MIT Sloan School.
Christian's research focuses on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, and he previously worked on the economics of equity crowdfunding and startup growth, and the economics of scientific collaboration.
He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management), and MSc (summa cum laude) in Economics and Management of New Technologies from Bocconi University, Milan.
His research has been featured in Nature, Science, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, WIRED, NPR, Forbes, Bloomberg, TechCrunch, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe, VICE news and the Washington Post among others.
Christian has presented his work at a variety of institutions including Harvard University, MIT, Yale University, London Business School, New York University, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, the Federal Reserve Bank, the US Treasury, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the World Bank, the IMF, the White House OSTP, and a number of central banks and regulators.
Roche, Maria P., Alexander Oettl, and Christian Catalini. Management Science. Forthcoming.
Catalini, Christian and Jai Massari. TechREG Chronicle, June 2024.
Catalini, Christian. Forbes, April 2024.
Catalini, Christian. Forbes, February 2024.
Bekkers, Rudi, Christian Catalini, Arianna Martinelli, Cesare Righi, and Timothy Simcoe. Research Policy Vol. 52, No. 1 (2023): 104618.
Catalini, Christian and Jane Wu. Harvard Business Review, January 2023.
New research from MIT Sloan finds that physical distances within 20 meters lead to more knowledge spillover among startups.
MIT Sloan’s Christian Catalini said Facebook will keep financial and social data separate.
Research scientist Christian Catalini warned that without interoperability, the U.S. could stumble into a system of "corp chains": closed, proprietary payment networks reminiscent of the 19th-century railroad gauge wars, when incompatible tracks crippled trade. The lesson for digital money is straightforward. If we don't get those rules now right, he said, today's payment networks could harden into incompatible rails: "Money, a digital dollar on one network, will not move seamlessly to the other."
Research scientist Christian Catalini wrote: "Because Bitcoin offers a distinct risk profile — meaningful upside, modest long‑run correlation with many traditional assets — it can belong as a small allocation (1–3%) in a diversified treasury, sized so its volatility doesn't dominate risk."
Research scientist Christian Catalini said: "Now you'll see every bank have a crypto strategy and a stable coin strategy. A lot of these instruments will appear in your day-to-day products. I think it's an important new asset class. Eventually I think you will be faced with decisions that entail crypto."
"No bill is perfect, but this is a great starting point for mainstream adoption to begin," research scientist Christian Catalini said. "I'm sure there will be further adjustments along the way as we learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the current law."
This eight-week online program offers you the opportunity to explore macroeconomics from a business perspective, guided by renowned economist Professor Roberto Rigobon.
This course provides you with a balanced perspective of the crypto space. Over eight weeks, you’ll gain insights into the economics of blockchain technologies, including digital assets, stablecoins, DeFi, NFTs, and Web 3 applications. You’ll also learn about the future of blockchain technology and the possibilities that lie ahead in the crypto space — from finance to the metaverse.