The Evolution of Rentier Logic of Financialization in the Context of the Digitalization of the Economy

Subject. The evolution of rent logic in the context of economic digitalization, with a focus on its transformation amid financialization. Objectives. To provide a theoretical understanding of rent as a system‑forming element of the modern economy, ensuring the linkage between the processes of distribution, capitalization, and the formation of financial assets. Methods. The study draws on approaches from classical political economy, Marxist and neo‑Ricardian traditions, as well as contemporary concepts of the digital economy and platform capitalism. Results. A conceptual approach to the analysis of the rent logic of financialization has been developed, within which rent is interpreted as a capitalizable income stream that determines the dynamics of asset values and credit relations. The interconnection of various forms of rent – land, spatial, contractual, and digital – is demonstrated as manifestations of a unified logic of income extraction through control over access conditions. It is substantiated that adaptive forms of rent exhibit the properties of quasi‑financial instruments, enabling risk distribution, while affective and cognitive labor serves as a source of digital rent, capitalized in the value of platforms. A distinction has been made between forms of digital rent, reflecting differences in their sources of generation and mechanisms of appropriation. Conclusions and Relevance. Rent logic under conditions of financialization acquires a universal character and transcends individual sectors, thereby shaping the architecture of the modern economy. This implies the need to rethink rent as a category underlying not only distributional but also financial processes, and calls for consideration of its role in the development of economic policy and regulatory instruments. The results will be useful for analyzing financial markets, developing regulatory tools for digital platforms, and designing mechanisms for the redistribution of rental income.