THE CORNERSTONE OF RISK SPREADING

The cornerstone of p2p risk sharing is risk spreading across participants, places, and time. It refers to the fundamental principle of p2p risk sharing mechanisms. Let's break down the components of the statement:

P2P risk sharing involves individuals coming together to collectively share risks, instead of relying on a centralized insurance company. Participants in a p2p network share the responsibility of covering each other's losses. The term "cornerstone" means to distribute or spread the risks across different dimensions:

• Across Participants: Instead of a single entity (like an insurance company) assuming all the risk, it is distributed among the participants in the peer-to-peer network. Each participant shares a portion of the overall risk, making it more manageable for everyone involved.

• Across Places: This indicates geographical distribution. Risks are not concentrated in a specific location. By involving participants from different places or regions, the impact of local events or disasters can be minimized.

• Across Time: Risks are not limited to a specific moment; they can occur at any time. By spreading the risk across time, participants are collectively prepared to handle potential losses that may happen in the future.

In summary, the statement emphasizes that the effectiveness of peer-to-peer risk sharing relies on the collaborative effort of spreading the risk among diverse participants, across different geographical locations, and over various points in time. This diversification helps create a more robust and resilient system for managing and mitigating risks.