Is cryptocurrency still a safe haven for assets in light of the COVID-19 waves Evidence from wavelet coherence analysis

Abstract

This paper uses the wavelet coherence approach and the wavelet-based Granger causality test, to investigate the effect of the five waves of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB, Cardano, Ripple, Dogecoin, TRON, Litecoin, Stellar, and Bitcoin Cash in a time-frequency framework from 22 January 2020 to 22 February 2022. The results show the presence of correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and cryptocurrencies in the short-medium term, and a positive impact on Bitcoin only during the first wave of the pandemic in the medium term. However, Cardano failed to act as a risk diversifier. In the long-term, our analysis shows that Ethereum, BNB, Ripple, Dogecoin, TRON, Litecoin, Stellar, and Bitcoin Cash proved their ability as strong safe haven assets, even during different periods of the COVID-19 crisis. Our results can provide helpful information for policymakers, and cryptocurrency market main and hedge funds managers during periods of uncertainty.