Definition ∞ Private Property Rights legally define an individual’s or entity’s exclusive authority to own, use, control, and dispose of assets, whether tangible or intangible. In the context of digital assets, this refers to the ownership of cryptocurrencies, tokens, and other digital representations secured by cryptographic keys. These rights are fundamental to economic systems, providing incentives for investment and innovation. They are often protected by legal frameworks and constitutional provisions.
Context ∞ The concept of Private Property Rights is central to discussions in crypto news, particularly concerning self-custody of digital assets and the immutability of blockchain records. Debates often highlight how decentralized technologies can strengthen these rights by removing intermediaries and offering censorship resistance. Regulatory discussions frequently consider how existing property laws apply to novel digital asset classes and how to protect these rights in a rapidly changing technological landscape.