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Christian Jaag, Ph.D.

Counsel

christian.jaag@swiss-economics.ch

+41 44 597 97 43 (office)

+41 78 899 58 59 (mobile)

LinkedIn

Biography

Christian Jaag is Founder and Counsel of the Center for Cryptoeconomics. He is also a Managing Partner with Swiss Economics and Lecturer at the Universities of St.Gallen and Zürich as well as at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. He advises corporate and public-sector clients on strategic issues pertaining to blockchain technology and cryptoeconomics. After his studies in St.Gallen (HSG) and Paris (ESCP) he received a Ph.D. in Economics and Finance. He was a visiting scholar at the Economics department of Rutgers University.

Experience

  • Counsel, Center for Cryptoeconomics (2019 – )
  • Counsel, Swiss Economics (2019 – )
  • Director, Center for Cryptoeconomics (2016 –)
  • Managing Partner, Swiss Economics (2008 – 2018)
  • Head of Regulatory Economics, Swiss Post (2007 – 2008)
  • Head of Regulation Post Mail, Swiss Post (2006 – 2007)
  • Research Associate, Institute for Public Finance, University of St.Gallen (2002 – 2006)

Education

  • Visiting scholar, Center for Research in Regulated Industries, Rutgers University (2008)
  • Ph.D. HSG in Economics and Finance, University of St.Gallen (2006)
  • Swiss Program for Beginning Doctoral Students in Economics, Study Center Gerzensee (2003)
  • Lic. oec. HSG (M.A. in Economics), University of St.Gallen (2001)
  • Visiting student, ESCP Europe, Paris (1999)

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Projects (selection)

  • Decentralized exchange for cryptocurrencies (2020). How to organize a decentralized exchange for cryptocurrencies? What are the pros and cons of different automated market-makers? Client: Polkadex.  
  • Assessment of economic effects from UPC - Sunrise merger (2020). Update on the economic assessment of effects from the merger between UPC and Sunrise in the light of the reversed acquisition intention of UPC, following Sunrise's withdrawal of its own bid   Client: Sunrise.  
  • Net costs of the USO of tomorrow (2020 – 2021). What are the net costs of the postal universal service obligation (USO) today and in ten years? Client: Post CH AG.  
  • Assessment of economic effects from the UPC - Sunrise merger (2018 – 2019). Assessment of the effects from the merger between Sunrise and UPC on competition, including analysis of coordinated and non-coordinated effects. Client: Sunrise.  
  • Determination of the efficient cost of capital for Dublin Airport (2018 – 2019). Swiss Economics advised the Irish Commission for Aviation Regulation on the appropriate return on capital in the context of its 2019 Determination of price caps for passenger tariffs at Dublin Airport     Client: Commission for Aviation Regulation.  
  • Net costs of the USO in Ireland (2018 – 2019). Can the burden of the net cost of the universal service obligation in the Irish telecoms market be borne by the provider? Client: Comreg.  

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  • Damage assessment for Sunrise (2018 – 2019). What are the damages resulting from a margin squeeze (abuse of a dominant position)? Client: Sunrise.  
  • Platform- and Token Economics Applied to a Project in the Real Estate Industry (2018). Neovate is developing an artificial intelligence platform (Wisp) that allows property residents to interact
    • with the property unit’s appliances
    • with the property management and,
    • with a variety of the city’s local businesses.
     
  • Platform and Monetary Economics for Verasity (2018 – 2019). Verasity developed the Proof-of-View blockchain technology and an ad-tech solution to prevent ad fraud on various video platforms. Furthermore, they created a platform for e-sport broadcasts with which they could also test their ad tech solution.  
  • Protocol Design Support for Havven (Synthetix) (2018 – 2019). Havven, rebranded as Synthetix, is a decentralized payment network enabling cryptocurrency purchases.  
  • Solving the Incentive Problem of the News Market with Spot (2018 – 2019). The incentives on the online news market got misaligned with the rise of search engines and online advertisements. In many cases, online news publishers are remunerated solely by online ad distributors. The value of news articles are therefore signaled by clicks. This leads to an overvaluation of clickbaits and an undervaluation of quality articles. This is the problem, Spot wants to solve with their solution.  
  • Storing and Managing Contacts with Envoy (2018 – 2019). Envoy built a cloud-based, AI-powered, decentralized application to manage and store networks of contacts securely. Through the launch of Envoy tokens they allow their users to commoditize and monetize their networks.  
  • Simulation of Monetary Policy Choices for Gen.ki (2018). Cryptecon was contracted in 2018 to do simulations of monetary policy choices for Gen.ki, a blockchain-based IoT application.  
  • "Regulation brake" and regulation benchmarking (2017 – 2018). Can regulatory benchmarking contribute to "Better Regulation"?  
  • Non-discriminatory pricing (2017). Assessment and design of a pricing model in compliance with antitrust law in the advertising industry.  
  • Partial privatization of a state-owned enterprise (2017). When and under what conditions does it make sense to privatise public companies?  
  • Introducing the SIEC test in Switzerland: Impact on merger control (2017). Is the dominance test currently used in Switzerland for merger control still up to date? Client: Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft, SECO.  
  • Possible Applications of the Blockchain Technology in the Postal Sector (2013 – 2015). In 2013 to 2015 professionals from cryptecon were contracted to share their knowledge about cryptocurrencies with Postfinance, a Swiss bank.  

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Publications (selection)

  • Binz Tobias, Jaag Christian, Rutz Samuel (2020). Competition law and Corona crisis: Assessment of international reactions. Oekonomenstimme.
  • Haller Andreas, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2020). Funding the USO: Cross-Subsidization and Net Cost Balancing. In: Parcu P., Brennan T., Glass V. (eds). The Changing Postal Environment. Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy. Springer, Cham, pp. 129-137.  
  • Binz Tobias, Fleckinger Pierre, Jaag Christian, Monnier Constance (2019). Passing on of cartel overcharges: why is it so difficult to formulate robust predictions? Concurrences N°4-2019, pp. 50-58.  
  • Jaag Christian, Schnyder Nina (2019). Effects of climate change on Swiss infrastructures. Study for the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC.  
  • Funk Michael, Jaag Christian, Rutz Samuel (2019). Gefährdete Kohärenz im Kartellrecht. Zeitschrift für Immaterialgüter-, Informations- und Wettbewerbsrecht (sic!), 5/2019, S. 304-306.  
  • Jaag Christian, Hafner Matthias (2019). Economics of token-based projects. Presentation at CV Labs, May 23th, 2019.  

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  • Jaag Christian, Binz Tobias, Mattmann Matteo, Schnyder Nina, Trinkner Urs (2019). Dublin Airport Cost of Capital for 2019 Determination. Report for the Commission for Aviation Regulation.  
  • Funk Michael, Jaag Christian (2018). The more economic approach to predatory pricing. Journal of Competition Law & Economics, Volume 14 (2), pp 292-310.  
  • Jaag Christian, Rutz Samuel (2018). Wettbewerbspolitik auf Abwegen. Neue Zürcher Zeitung.  
  • Jaag Christian, Jacober Noëmi, Rutz Samuel (2017). Einführung des SIEC-Tests: Auswirkungen auf die Schweizer Fusionskontrolle. Study for the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).  
  • Jaag Christian, Bach Christian (2017). Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrencies. In: Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy: The Changing Postal and Delivery Sector. Edited by M. Crew, P.L. Parcu and T.Brennan, Springer, pp. 205--221.
  • Jaag Christian, Rutz Samuel (2017). Zukunft des Postsektors – Folklore oder Fortschritt? Neue Zürcher Zeitung.  
  • Jaag Christian, Rutz Samuel (2017). Digitales Wettbewerbsrecht ist überflüssig. Die Volkswirtschaft, 10-2017, pp. 58-59.  
  • Geissmann Thomas, Jaag Christian, Maegli Martin, Trinkner Urs (2017). Mail Composition and Recipients Reaction to Direct Mail. In: The Changing Postal and Delivery Sector. Edited by M. Crew, P.L. Parcu and T. Brennan, Springer, pp 271-28.  
  • Jaag Christian, Rutz Samuel (2016). Rechtsprechung wider die ökonomische Logik. Finanz und Wirtschaft.
  • Trinkner Urs, Jaag Christian, Lutzenberger Martin (2016). Prospective study on the future activities of the Quality of Service Fund 'QSF'. Study for the Universal Postal Union.  
  • Jaag Christian, Moyano Jose Parra, Trinkner Urs (2016). Postal Strategies in a Digital Age. In: The Future of the Postal Sector in a Digital World. Edited by M. Crew and T. Brennan, Springer, Chapter 8.  
  • Jaag Christian, Bach Christian (2015). The Effect of Payment Reversibility on E-commerce and Postal Quality. In: Handbook of Digital Currency: Bitcoin, Innovation, Financial Instruments, and Big Data. Edited by D.L.K. Chuen, Elsevier, pp. 139-151.
  • Dietl Helmut, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs, Bach Christian, Funk Miachel, Lutzenberger Martin, Yusof Jeffrey (2015). Auswirkungen der Initiative -Pro Service public. Study for the Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Berggebiete (SAB) and the Schweizerischen Gemeindeverband (SGV).  
  • Eberle Reto, Jaag Christian, Bach Christian (2015). Relevanz der Revision - Studie zum Nutzen der Wirtschaftsprüfung in der Schweiz / Pertinence de la Révision - étude sur l'utilité de l'audit en Suisse. Der Schweizer Treuhänder 3/4-2015.  
  • Jaag Christian, Moyano Jose Parra, Trinkner Urs (2015). Regulation and postal strategies. Network Industries Quarterly, vol. 17(3), pp. 10-13.  
  • Jaag Christian, Maegli Martin (2015). Market Regulations and USO in the Revised Swiss Postal Act: Provisions and Authorities. In: Postal and Delivery Innovation in the Digital Economy. Edited by M. Crew and T. Brennan, Springer, pp. 301-312.  
  • Eberle Reto, Jaag Christian, Bach Christian, Strube Martins Sonia, Feger Fabian (2014). Nutzen der Wirtschaftsprüfung. Study for the Schweizerischen Treuhandkammer.  
  • Jaag Christian (2014). Postal Sector Policy: From Monopoly to Regulated Competition and Beyond. Utilities Policy 31, pp. 266-277.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs, Uotila Topias (2014). Regulation and the Burden of the Net Cost Resulting from Universal Service Obligations. In: The Role Of The Postal And Delivery Sector In A Digital Age. Edited by M. Crew and T. Brennan, Edward Elgar, pp. 204-213.  
  • Haller Andreas, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2014). Calculating the Net Cost of Home Delivery Obligations. In: The Role Of The Postal And Delivery Sector In A Digital Age. Edited by M. Crew and T. Brennan, Edward Elgar, pp. 227-239.  
  • Jaag Christian (2013). Price Regulation and the Financing of Universal Services in Network Industries. Review of Law and Economics 9(1), pp. 125-150.  
  • Jaag Christian, Keuschnigg Christian, Strube Martins Sonia, Parra Moyano Jose, Scherrer Ivo (2013). Impacts of the 1:12-Initiative. Study for the Swiss Union of small and medium sized enterprises.  
  • Jaag Christian, Bach Christian (2013). Virtual Currencies and Physical Posts: A Perfect Match. The Postal Industry 1(2), pp. 11-12.
  • Maegli Martin, Jaag Christian (2013). Competition and the social cost of regulation in the postal sector. In: Reforming the Postal Sector in the Face of Electronic Competition. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 294-305.  
  • Haller Andreas, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2013). Termination charges in the international parcel market. In: Reforming the Postal Sector in the Face of Electronic Competition. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 277-293.  
  • Trinkner Urs, Holznagel Bernd, Jaag Christian, Dietl Helmut, Haller Andreas (2012). Möglichkeiten eines gemeinsam definierten Universaldienst Post und Telekommunikation aus ökonomischer und juristischer Sicht. Studie im Auftrag des Deutschen Bundestages.  
  • Jaag Christian (2012). Alterung und langfristige Herausforderungen für die Sozialversicherungen / Vieillissement de la population: des défis à long terme pour les assurances sociales. Die Volkswirtschaft 3-2012, pp. 14-17.  
  • Jaag Christian, Dietl Helmut, Trinkner Urs, Fürst Oliver (2012). Defending Mail Markets Against New Entrants: An Application of the Defender Model. In Multi-Modal Competition And The Future Of Mail. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 236-246.  
  • Trinkner Urs, Jaag Christian, Dietl Helmut, Haller Andreas, Verbeek Erwin, Fürst Oliver (2011). International Parcels - Review of Inward Land Rates. Study for the Universal Postal Union.  
  • Jaag Christian (2011). Staukosten: Rechtsprechung im Licht der Ökonomie. An economic analysis of traffic costs.  
  • Grotrian, Jobst, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2011). Ein kohärenter Regulierungsrahmen für den Schienengüterverkehr in der Schweiz. In: Jahrbuch der Schweizerischen Verkehrswirtschaft. C. Lässer, T. Bieger and R. Maggi (Hrsg.), 2011, 97-114.  
  • Dietl, Helmut, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2011). Reform des Postsektors in der Schweiz: Eine Standortbestimmung / La réforme du secteur postal en Suisse: état des lieux. Die Volkswirtschaft 04-2011, 43-46.  
  • Dietl, Helmut, Jaag Christian, Lang Markus, Trinkner Urs (2011). Competition and Welfare Effects of VAT Exemptions. The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy 11(1), Article 19.  
  • Dietl, Helmut, Jaag Christian, Lang Markus, Lutzenberger Martin, Trinkner Urs (2011). Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare. In: Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, 267-280.  
  • Trinkner Urs, Jaag Christian, Dietl Helmut (2010). Regulierungsrahmen und Abgeltungsmodelle im Schienengüterverkehr. Study for SBB Cargo.  
  • Jaag Christian (2010). Bestimmungsfaktoren für die Wettbewerbsentwicklung in Briefmärkten. Research into the development of competition in the letter market.  
  • Maegli, Martin, Jaag Christian, Koller Martin, Trinkner Urs (2010). Postal Markets and Electronic Substitution: Implications for Regulatory Practices and Institutions in Europe. 2010. Journal for Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, Vol. 4, 382-397.  
  • Calzada Joan, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2010). Universal Service Auctions in Liberalized Postal Markets. In: Heightening Competition in the Postal and Delivery Sector, edited by M.A. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs, Finger Matthias, Lang Markus, Lutzenberger Martin (2009). Umsetzungsvarianten einer aktiven öffentlichen FTTH-Policy für die Schweiz. Study for Sunrise.  
  • Jaag Christian (2009). Education, Demographics, and the Economy. Journal of Pension Economics and Finance 8(2), 189-223.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2009). Kabelstaat statt Kabelsalat? Umsetzungsvarianten einer öffentlichen Glasfaserpolitik / Un cablage libre ou réglementé? Pistes pour la mise en oeuvre d'une politique publique en matière de fibre optique. Die Volkswirtschaft 11-2009, 46-50.  
  • Jaag Christian, Keuschnigg Christian, Keuschnigg Mirela (2009). Alterung, Sozialwerke und Institutionen. Study for the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.  
  • Finger Matthias, Jaag Christian, Lang Markus, Lutzenberger Martin, Trinkner Urs (2009). Bestimmung des Regulierungsbedarfs aus ökonomischer Sicht: Angemessenheit und Folgen einer funktionalen oder strukturellen Trennung von Swisscom. Study for Swisscom.  
  • Finger Matthias, Horner Samuel, Jaag Christian, Lutzenberger Martin, Trinkner Urs (2009). Konzept eines homogenen Berechnungsmodells zur Ermittlung des qualitativen Nutzens und der Wirtschaftlichkeit von E-Government-Vorhaben. Swiss Economics presents a concept for the evaluation of e-government projects.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2009). Netzzugang im Postmarkt: Möglichkeiten und Auswirkungen. Study for Swiss Post.  
  • Mägli Martin, Jaag Christian, Finger Matthias (2009). Coûts de la régulation des industries de réseaux: enseignements du réseau postal. Revue d'économie industrielle 127(3).  
  • Jaag Christian, Lutzenberger Martin, Trinkner Urs (2009). Elements of successful fiber to the home policies. Network Industries Quarterly 11(4), 6-18.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2009). Tendering Universal Service Obligations in Liberalized Network Industries. Journal for Competition and Regulation in Network Industries 10(4), 313-332.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2009). Bottleneck regulation in telecommunications, railways and post. Network Industries Quarterly 11(3), 3-6.  
  • Knieps Günter, Patrick Zenhäusern, Jaag Christian (2009). Wettbewerb und Universaldienst in europäischen Postmärkten. In: Fallstudien zur Netzökonomie, G. Knieps und H.-J. Weiss (Hrsg.), Wiesbaden: Gabler, 87-110.  
  • Jaag Christian, Keuschnigg Mirela (2009). Anreizwirkungen in der beruflichen Vorsorge - eine Gleichgewichtsanalyse / Les effets incitatifs de la prévoyance professionnelle: un modèle d'équilibre. Die Volkswirtschaft 1/2-2009, 67-70.  
  • Jaag Christian, Koller Martin, Trinkner Urs (2009). Calculating the Cost of the Universal Service Obligation - the need for a global approach. In: Progress in the Competitive Agenda in the Postal and Delivery Sector, M. A. Crew and P. R. Kleindorfer (Hrsg.), Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar, 113-127.  
  • Buser Martin, Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2008). Economics of Post Office Networks: Strategic Issues and the Impact on Mail Demand. In: Handbook of Worldwide Postal Reform, M. A. Crew, P. R. Kleindorfer und J. I. Campbell Jr. (Hrsg.), Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar, 80-97.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2008). Pricing in Competitive Two-sided Mail Markets. In: Competition and Regulation in the Postal and Delivery Sector, Michael A. Crew und Paul R. Kleindorfer (Hrsg.), Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar, 136-149.  
  • Jaag Christian (2007). Liberalization of the Swiss Letter Market and the Viability of Universal Service Obligations. Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics 143(3), 261-282.  
  • Jaag Christian, Trinkner Urs (2007). Schwedische Postmarktöffnung: Ein Modell für die Schweiz? / L'ouverture du marché postal suédois: un modèle pour la Suisse? Die Volkswirtschaft 5-2007, 10-13.