Governance at the Edge: How Structure, Jurisdiction, and Regulation Shape Risk in Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Abstract

The proliferation of cryptocurrency exchanges is central to the digital asset economy, yet the sector is plagued by frequent operational failures and regulatory enforcement actions. Existing risk assessments often rely on simplistic metrics like trading volume, lacking a systematic analysis of the qualitative factors that drive an exchange's risk profile. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between an exchange's structural characteristics and its market behavior. A comprehensive dataset of over 800 active and defunct exchanges was analyzed, mapping their governance structures, regulatory frameworks, product offerings, and geographic exposures. The analysis reveals that specific governance models and the permissiveness of an exchange's primary jurisdiction are strongly correlated with its product complexity and exposure to illicit finance. Notably, exchanges operating in jurisdictions with weak regulatory oversight and opaque ownership structures are significantly more likely to offer high-leverage derivative products and be implicated in enforcement actions. These findings provide a foundational framework for regulators and investors to better assess the inherent risks associated with an exchange's operational and legal structure, moving beyond surface-level metrics to a more nuanced understanding of counterparty risk.