E-commerce has the potential to address problems in the agricultural supply chain and support the implementation of rural revitalization strategies. Previous research has largely focused on the business models of rural e-commerce platforms, but has not examined the mechanisms by which they can optimize and reconfigure the agricultural supply chain. This study aims to fill this gap through a case study of Tudouec, a potato e-commerce platform in Inner Mongolia, China. The study employs a single-case study method and utilizes data from interviews, fieldwork, and secondary sources. The findings show that Tudouec is a multi-functional platform offering technical support, warehousing, logistics, supply chain finance, and insurance, among other services. It not only serves as a multi-channel information management platform, but also enhances supply chain capabilities through the interaction of information flow with capital and material flows. This rural e-commerce model addresses the limitations of traditional agricultural models and promotes poverty reduction and rural revitalization. The study’s main contribution is in demonstrating the potential for the Tudouec model to be applied to other agricultural products and in other developing countries.

The issuance of digital currency electronic payments (DC/EP), under the supervision of the People’s Bank of China, will have a certain impact on commercial banks, and will further affect the areas of internet finance and traditional financing. This paper studies the regulatory performance of DC/EP in the post-lending market under the models of internet finance and bank financing, exploring their theoretical and practical significance. Through the construction of an enterprise profit function and the regulatory utility function under the models of internet finance and bank financing, this study explores the impact of using DC/EP on the post-lending market. The study proves the following:In the absence of government regulation, internet finance platforms will increase the leverage ratio of loans, in order to obtain excess profits. The emergence of regulatory authorities and the use of DC/EP will control the leverage ratio of internet finance platforms, purify market performance, and stabilize the market order. The application of DC/EP provides a risk control method for the financial market, and coupled with government regulatory measures, it will effectively regulate the existing market order of internet finance platforms and increase the credibility of DC/EP. Therefore, the management insights obtained from this study of the application of DC/EP and the government regulation of existing financing and lending methods in the financial sector have practical significance for the current market.

As a legal currency with the credit endorsement of the Chinese government, DC/EP has many advantages and special characteristics. Based on the application of DC/EP in the financing of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this paper studies the optimal financing decisions of SMEs under both the traditional financing mode and the DC/EP financing mode. Considering the construction and use costs of DC/EP and the role of DC/EP credit traceability in improving mortgage rates, this paper explores the feasible range for SMEs to select DC/EP financing. It is found that mortgage rates affect the returns of SMEs when they take on loans; under different credit strategies, the pledge rate set by the bank will affect the financing willingness of SMEs. The participants had different optimal mortgage rates to optimize the returns of borrowers and banks. High-quality SMEs are more willing to use the DC/EP platform for financing. With the increase in default costs, banks will be more inclined to use DC/EP, while enterprises will be inclined to utilize the traditional financing mode. Through the comparative analysis of the two financing modes, the default cost range that neither banks nor borrowers are willing to use DC/EP is found. This study provides theoretical support and management inspiration for scientific decision-making to solve the financing problems of SMEs by using DC/EP.