Linkage of Non-Fungible (NFT) Tokens to Measures of Uncertainty: Does Fear Bode Well for NFT Holders?

Abstract

The study investigates the relationship between the returns of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) and its categories; and fear indices during times of crisis. The fear indices considered are Global Fear Index (GFI), Global Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (GEPU), Twitter based Economic Uncertainty Index (TEU), Global Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), Infectious Diseases Equity Market Volatility Index (IDEMV) and Crypto Volatility Index (CVI). Employing Granger Causality Test, Autoregressive Distributed Lag technique and ARDL Bounds test on data for the period starting 1st February 2020 and ending 28th February 2022, it is found that short run association exists between TEU, CVI and NFT returns. Further, GFI leads NFT Art returns while TEU leads NFT Metaverse returns by lag 5 and lag 2 respectively. No association between fear metrics and NFT Collectible, NFT Game and NFT utility is observed. No long run association in found between NFT returns and fear indices except TEU which influences NFT returns. It is concluded that NFT, NFT Art and NFT Metaverse returns have positive association to at least one fear index during times of turmoil, especially for the short run.