Blockchain & Digital Finance Lab

The Blockchain & Digital Finance Lab at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is dedicated to advancing research at the intersection of economics, finance, and decentralized technologies. The lab investigates how blockchain systems, digital assets, and decentralized finance (DeFi) transform markets, incentives, and social welfare. Our research integrates empirical data analysis, economic theory, and behavioral and experimental methods to address key questions related to inequality, governance, transaction ordering, and market design in blockchain-based systems. The lab also develops novel tools and metrics to measure fairness, efficiency, and decentralization in digital ecosystems. The lab is led by Dr. Nir Chemaya, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at BGU. Dr. Chemaya’s research spans finance, blockchain economics, and behavioral and experimental economics. The lab actively bridges academia and industry, fostering collaborations with leading blockchain research centers, DeFi firms, and foundations worldwide. Beyond research, the lab is committed to building a vibrant academic and professional community around blockchain and digital finance in Israel—including training students, hosting seminars, and fostering collaborations between scholars and industry partners to shape the future of decentralized economies.