Econometrica

Journal Of The Econometric Society

An International Society for the Advancement of Economic
Theory in its Relation to Statistics and Mathematics

Edited by: Guido W. Imbens • Print ISSN: 0012-9682 • Online ISSN: 1468-0262

Econometrica: Mar, 2020, Volume 88, Issue 2

Credible Auctions: A Trilemma

https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA15925
p. 425-467

Mohammad Akbarpour, Shengwu Li

Consider an extensive‐form mechanism, run by an auctioneer who communicates sequentially and privately with bidders. Suppose the auctioneer can deviate from the rules provided that no single bidder detects the deviation. A mechanism is credible if it is incentive‐compatible for the auctioneer to follow the rules. We study the optimal auctions in which only winners pay, under symmetric independent private values. The first‐price auction is the unique credible static mechanism. The ascending auction is the unique credible strategy‐proof mechanism.


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Supplemental Material

Supplement to "Credible Auctions: A Trilemma"

This appendix contains extensions and other applications not found within the manuscript.