Second Price Auction

Definition ∞ A second price auction is an auction format where the highest bidder wins the item but pays the price offered by the second-highest bidder. This mechanism, also known as a Vickrey auction, is designed to incentivize bidders to submit their true valuation for the item. It aims to prevent strategic bidding behavior and promote market efficiency. This format is widely studied in economics and game theory.
Context ∞ Second price auctions are a relevant concept in digital asset markets, particularly in mechanisms for allocating scarce resources like block space or non-fungible tokens (NFTs). News might discuss their application in fee markets to determine transaction priority or in specific token sale events. A key debate involves the practical implementation challenges in decentralized environments, such as preventing front-running or ensuring transparent bid submission. This auction type offers theoretical benefits for truthful revelation of value.