We provide an empirical analysis of herding behavior in cryptocurrency markets during COVID-19 and periods of cyber-attacks, differentiating between fundamental and nonfundamental herding. The results show that herding behavior is driven by fundamental information during the full sample period and the cyber-attack days. However, herding is not prevalent during the COVID-19 outbreak, either when reacting to fundamental or nonfundamental information. This finding suggests heterogeneity in the behaviors of participants in the cryptocurrency markets during the COVID-19 period.
In this paper, we attempt to analyze the dynamic interplay between Bitcoin, social media, and the Covid-19 health crisis. For this end, we apply the fractional autoregressive vector model, fractional error correction model and impulse response functions on daily data over the period 31/12/2019-30/10/2020. Our results clearly show the short- and long-term evidence of the nexus between the Bitcoin price, social media metrics (Tweets and Google Trends) and the intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic. As well, the Covid-19 pandemic does not impact on social media metrics in the short- and long-term. On the other hand, the Covid-19 pandemic positively affects social media metrics. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic encourages investing in digital currencies such as Bitcoin. So, the Covid-19 health crisis significantly influences social media networks and Bitcoin prices.
This study examines the potential of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, ripple, tether, and Bitcoin cash as hedging instruments and a safe haven for the Indonesian capital market, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic era. Now, Indonesia's capital market condition is in turbulence. The benefit of this research is to help the investors make decisions on which cryptocurrencies can be an instrument hedge and safe haven in this Covid-19 pandemic era for Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The data used in this study are data on the closing price of the Composite Stock Price Index (CSPI), bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), ripple (XRP), tether (USDT), and bitcoin cash (BCH) from January 3 to June 16, 2020. Data analysis used Generalized AutoregressiveConditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and Quantile Regression (QREG). This study found that Bitcoin, Ethereum, tether, and Bitcoin cash can act as a hedge, but only the ripple cannot act as a hedge. Bitcoin, Ethereum, ripple, tether, and bitcoin cash cannot act as a safe haven when the Indonesian capital market was getting extreme, like during the Covid-19 pandemic era. The roles of Bitcoin, Ethereum, ripple, tether, and bitcoin cash as safe havens will fade when conditions in the Indonesian capital market become more extreme. This research can be used as a reference for investors for their investments by looking top four cryptocurrencies as a hedging instrument. However, in severe conditions such as during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the top five cryptocurrencies cannot be used as a safe haven, as revealed in this study.
This paper examines interlinkages and hedging opportunities between nine major cryptocurrencies for the period between 30 September 2015 and 4 June 2020, which notably includes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak lasting from early 2020 through the end of the sample period. The results of dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) analysis using a minimum connectedness approach show a high degree of correlation between cryptocurrencies throughout the sample period. However, the correlations reach their minimum values during the COVID-19 pandemic, which indicates that cryptocurrencies acted as a hedge or safe haven during the stressful period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The weight of cryptocurrencies was significantly reduced and their hedging effectiveness varied greatly during the pandemic, which indicates that investors’ preferences changed during the COVID-19 period.
There has been a remarkable increase in the number of publications on international trade and cryptocurrency in recent years. This paper aims to analyze the literature on international trade and cryptocurrency in the Web of Science database. This study uses the bibliometric method and mapping analysis. The cluster analysis is conducted based on the keyword analysis. These publications are reviewed from different aspects such as type of publication, language, and book title. This study found that 767 articles which are related to cryptocurrency and international trade. Among the countries in which these studies are conducted, China ranks the first, followed by the USA and UK, respectively. Various organizations in different countries support studies on this topic. In conclusion, cryptocurrency technologies draw the attention of academia, and the use of cryptocurrency in international trade will determine the future trade structure. The innovative features of cryptocurrency can develop new business models, which may be the reason for the academic interest in this matter. It will be useful for businesses and governments to follow this potential carefully to benefit from the advantages of innovative business models.
In this paper, we attempt to explore the extent to which the hard won development gains over the last several years could be reversed due to the unfolding COVID-19 global pandemic, how we can reboot the global response to accelerate the SDGs in times of uncertainties, and most importantly how to turn the recovery into an opportunity to build back better and more resilient economies. To do so, we examine the case of blockchain as one of the emerging innovative work-streams in development practices that could lead the way forward and pave the path for new developmental narratives as we all navigate the uncharted territories of the new digital age. This paper provides useful insights about the underlying dynamics underpinning the adoption of blockchain backed-solutions for sustainable development, and it showcases some of the promising use-cases being developed through trial-and-error experiments by its early adopters. The paper offers a deep dive into a burgeoning development practice in search of disrupting business-as-usual to solve increasingly complex development challenges by mainstreaming innovations such as blockchain-enabled solutions to rethink the ways in which development solutions are being delivered across the SDG spectrum. This work points to the significant potential of blockchain technology as a game changer in solving some of the most pressing issues hindering the global recovery post Covid-19 to transition towards greener and more inclusive economies. Nevertheless, we also stress that the hype-cycle behind the âletâs blockchain itâ trend does not mean that blockchain-backed solutions are necessarily superior to other alternatives which might be less costly and less technical in nature. Development practitioners prototyping and implementing blockchain-based solutions for sustainable development can utilize these insights and discussions to make informed decisions in their journey to harness the disruptive potential of blockchain alone or in tandem with other emerging technologies in the new world of business as unusual.
Purpose This study aims to analyze the importance of disruptive technological innovations on qualitative service delivery and their impact on the investment banksâ employee performance. Design/methodology/approach The cluster sampling method has been used to collect the primary data from the 250 respondents from foreign investment banks. Variables used are employee performance, service delivery, technology, security, operations, strategy and quality through chi-square, linear stepwise multiple regression analysis and correlation. Findings Storage network, operating cost, client reporting, cloud system and money laundering are the highest and most significant predictors of employee performance. Employee performance multiplies every unit with a strategic solution owing to positive and robust correlation (0.944). Fusion technology-based banks offer quality service to their clients. Originality/value A combination of artificial intelligence and blockchain ensures increasing automation to improve efficiency and reduce the operating cost creating a seamless integration in fraud detection, customer support, risk management, security, digitization and automation process, algorithmic trading, wealth management, etc.
COVID-19 has morphed from a health crisis to an economic crisis that affected the global economy through several channels. This paper aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on the time-frequency connectedness between Green Bonds and other financial assets. Our sample includes the global stock market, bond market, oil, USD index, and two popular hedging alternatives, namely Gold and Bitcoin, from May 2013 to August 2020. First, we apply the methodologies of Diebold and Yilmaz (International Journal of Forecasting, 2012, 28(1), 57â66) and BarunĂk and KĆehlĂk (Journal of Financial Econometrics, 2018, 16(2), 271â296). Then, we estimate hedge ratios and hedge effectiveness of green bonds for other financial assets. Green bonds are found to have a great weight in the overall network, particularly strongly connected with the USD index and bond index. While the bi-directional relationship with USD persists during COVID, the connectedness with conventional bonds is also strengthened. Notably, we find a weak relationship between Green bonds and Bitcoin, both in the short and long run. As portfolio implications, Gold and USD have the highest hedge ratio, which is confirmed by the hedging effectiveness. In contrast, oil and stocks exhibit the lowest hedging effectiveness. Our findings imply that financial assets might have a heterogeneous relationship with green bonds. Furthermore, despite its infancy, it seems that the role of green bond during a crisis should not be ignored, as it can be a hedger for some assets, while a contagion amplifier during crisis times.
Purpose In this paper, we investigate empirically the time-frequency co-movement between the recent COVID-19 pandemic, G7stock markets, gold, crude oil price (WTI) and cryptocurrency markets (bitcoin) using both the multivariate MSGARCH models. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the relationship between the volatilities of oil, Chinese stock index and financial assets (cryptocurrency, gold, and G7 stock indexes), for the period January 17th 2020 to December 10th 2020. It tests the presence of regime changes in the GARCH volatility dynamics of bitcoin, gold, Chinese, and G7 stock indexes as well as oil prices by using MarkovâSwitching GARCH model. Also, the paper estimates the dynamic correlation and volatility spillover between oil, Chinese and financial assets by using the MSBEKK-GARCH and MSDCC-GARCH models. Findings Overall, we find that all variables display a strong volatility concentrated in the first four months of Covid-19 outbreak. The paper conducts different backtesting procedures of the 1% and 5% Value-at-Risk forecasts of risk. The results find that gold has the lowest VaR. However, the Canadian and American indices have the highest VaR, for respectively 1% and 5% confidence level. The estimation results of MSBEKK-GARCH prove the volatility spillover between Chinese index, oil and financial assets. Although, the past news about shocks in the Chinese index significantly affects the current conditional volatility of financial assets. Moreover, for the high regime, the correlation increased between Chinese and G7 stock indexes which proving the contagion effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the contrary, the correlation decreased between Chinese-gold and Chinese-bitcoin, which confirming that gold and bitcoin can be considered as an alternative hedge for some investors during a crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the correlations for the couples oil-gold and oil-bitcoin peaked. Contrary to gold, bitcoin cannot be considered as a safe haven during the global pandemic when investing in crude oil. Originality/value In contrast, comparative analysis in terms of responses to US COVID-19 pandemic, the US Covid-19 confirmed cases have relative higher impact on the co-movement in WTI and bitcoin. This paper confirms that gold is a safe haven during the COVID19 pandemic period.
This research investigates the appropriateness of the linear specification of the market model for modeling and forecasting the cryptocurrency prices during the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. Two extensions are offered to compare the performance of the linear specification of the market model (LMM), which allows for the measurement of the cryptocurrency price beta risk. The first is the generalized additive model, which permits flexibility in the rigid shape of the linearity of the LMM. The second is the time-varying linearity specification of the LMM (Tv-LMM), which is based on the state space model form via the Kalman filter, allowing for the measurement of the time-varying beta risk of the cryptocurrency price. The analysis is performed using daily data from both time periods on the top 10 cryptocurrencies by adjusted market capitalization, using the Crypto Currency Index 30 (CCI30) as a market proxy and 1-day and 7-day forward predictions. Such a comparison of cryptocurrency prices has yet to be undertaken in the literature. The empirical findings favor the Tv-LMM, which outperforms the others in terms of modeling and forecasting performance. This result suggests that the relationship between each cryptocurrency price and the CCI30 index should be locally instead of globally linear, especially during the COVID-19 period.
Shaen Corbet, Yang Hou, Yang Hu, Charles Larkin · 6 authors
We examine the interactions between cryptocurrency price volatility and liquidity during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests that these developing digital products have played a new role as a potential safe-haven during periods of substantial financial market panic. Results suggest that cryptocurrency market liquidity increased significantly after the WHO identification of a worldwide pandemic. Significant and substantial interactions between cryptocurrency price and liquidity effects are identified. These results add further support to the argument that substantial flows of investment entered cryptocurrency markets in search of an investment safe-haven during this exceptional black-swan event.
Syed Jawad Hussain Shahzad, Elie Bouri, Mobeen Ur Rehman, David Roubaud
Abstract We compare the weak/strong hedging abilities of three alternative assets, namely bitcoin, gold and US VIX futures, against the downside movements in BRICS stock market indices. Results from the crossâquantilogram approach indicate that bitcoin and gold are weak hedges. Analysis from the recursive sampling shows that each of bitcoin, gold and VIX futures has a timeâvarying hedging role in some BRICS countries, which has been shaped by the COVIDâ19 outbreak. Results from the conditional diversification benefits show appealing roles for the three alternative assets for investors in BRICS stock markets. However, gold appears to have higher and more stable diversification benefits in China, especially during the COVIDâ19 outbreak. Conversely, VIX futures offer higher diversification benefits in Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa during the abrupt of the COVIDâ19 outbreak.
Ghulame Rubbaniy, Ali Awais Khalid, Aristeidis Samitas
This study adds to the inconclusive debate on safe-haven properties of cryptocurrencies during Covid-19 by analyzing the use of wavelet coherence framework on the global Covid-19 fear index, cryptocurrency implied volatility index (VCRIX), and cryptocurrency returns. Our findings show that a non-financial market-based proxy of market stress that represents fear of households and retail investors reveals cryptocurrencies as safe-haven assets; however, a financial market-based proxy of market turbulence exposes that cryptocurrencies behave like traditional assets during the times of Covid-19 pandemic. Our findings support that long-term investors can invest in the cryptocurrency market to hedge the risks during Covid-19 pandemic.
Grazia Dıcuonzo, Francesca Donofrıo, Antonio Fusco, Vittorio DellâAtti
New technologies are assuming a prominent role in the transformation of economic and social systems and are capturing the interest of many businesses and international institutions. Blockchain is an emerging technology that is relevant in all sectors, as its applications can be adapted to multiple contexts with possible significant advantages for business. The ability to perform transactions without a central entity acting as a trust guarantor, typical of blockchain, offers the opportunity to rethink the way business processes are managed. Based on the case study methodology, this work aims to understand how blockchain could affect the business model in the banking sector and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the implementation of blockchain.
Mahboob Ullah, Maria Shaikh, Imran Abbas Jadoon, Muhammad Azizullah Khan · 5 authors
Purpose of the Study: In this research, the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and cryptocurrencies' price volatility has been examined.
 Methodology: To check the contagion effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the price volatility of cryptocurrencies: BITCOIN, LITECOIN, XRP(RIPPLE), and ETHEREUM, the prices of all four are deployed from 10th August 2016 to 10th August 2020. The exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (EGARCH) model is used to check the leverage effect exists or not. Stata 16 has been used to execute all the tests.
 Main Findings: The study's findings indicated that the leverage effect on the price volatility is present for LITECOIN, XRP(RIPPLE), and ETHEREUM but not for BITCOIN.
 Applications of the study: This study is significant for investors to develop strategies for investments and secure the transactions and control the creation of additional currency units. Also, it gives insight to the policy and decision-makers to articulate proper guidelines to overcome or minimize the effect of COVID-19 on cryptocurrency.
 Novelty/Originality of this Study: The motive for taking the crypto market into account is that the crypto market is one of the emerging markets and has started to have significance worldwide, linking with financial markets and economic growth. The leverage effect of COVID-19 is considered in this study as the epidemic has affected the supply and demand of goods due to lockdowns, blockages, and disruptions in delivery chains that lead to undiminished economic growth.
The Covid 19 pandemic is the first major crisis facing cryptocurrencies. Therefore, the reaction of the cryptocurrency markets is important. News about epidemics affects investors' decisions. Panic index (PIndex) is an index created from news about the Covid 19 outbreak. In the study, it is used to measure the impact of decisions on the crypto money market. As cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC), Etherium (ETH), and Ripple (XRP), which have the highest transaction volume in the crypto money market, are included in the analysis. The relationship between Panic Index and the three major cryptocurrencies with the largest share in the cryptocurrency market was investigated by Ardl and Hatemi-J asymmetric causality test. Traditional causality tests acknowledge that the effects of positive and negative changes are the same. However, there may be asymmetric information and different investor behaviors in financial markets. In the study, Hatemi-J [ 1 ] Asymmetric Causality Test was conducted to examine the asymmetric relationship and symmetric relationship between Pindex and cryptocurrencies by separating them into positive and negative shocks. According to the results of the Hatemi-J causality analysis, positive shocks in the panic index are the cause of negative shocks for all cryptocurrencies. In other words, increases in the panic index are caused to fall the value of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple cryptocurrencies decrease. The results show that cryptocurrencies were not a safe haven for the investor during the Covid 19 period, as they acted similarly to other financial assets.
Seyram Pearl Kumah, David Adjei Abbam, Ransford Armah, Evelyn Appiah-Kubi
The COVID-19 pandemic provides the first widespread bear market conditions since the inception of cryptocurrencies. We test the haven properties of cryptocurrencies for African stocks and commodity markets in a pandemic implementing the frequency domain spillover index. Data spans 11th August 2015 to 28th August 2020 at a daily frequency. Findings show weak interconnectedness across markets suggesting non-contagion risk and that cryptocurrency are safe havens for African stocks and commodity indices from the medium-term. We find the major transmitters of spillover effects across markets to be time-varying and heterogeneous. This study provides significant risk diversification benefits for policymakers and investors in the African financial markets.
Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie, Maruf Yakubu Ahmed, Phebe Asantewaa Owusu
The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted business-as-usual, hence, affecting sustained economic development across countries. However, it appears economic uncertainty following COVID-19 containment measures favor market signals of cryptocurrencies. Here, this study empirically and structurally investigates the implication of COVID-19 health outcomes on market prices of Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Evidence from the novel Romano-Wolf multiple hypotheses reveal COVID-19 shocks spur Litecoin by 3.20-3.84%, Bitcoin by 2.71-3.27%, Ethereum by 1.43-1.75%, and Bitcoin Cash by 1.34-1.62%.
Purpose This paper aims to empirically examine the effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cryptocurrency market returns with particular attention to top five cryptocurrencies and COVID-19 confirmed and death cases. Design/methodology/approach The study applies the linear Toda and Yamamoto and nonlinear Diks and Panchenko Granger causality test to know the causal relationship of cryptocurrencies with COVID-19 pandemic. The study also uses the Narayan and Popp endogenous two structural break tests to capture the break period of the sample. Findings The findings of the study confirm the existence of unidirectional causal relation from COVID-19 confirmed and death cases to cryptocurrency price returns. While examining the break periods, the post-break period result indicates the presence of unidirectional linear causality from COVID-19 confirmed cases to Bitcoin and Ethereum price returns. This shows that prior knowledge of COVID-19 pandemic growth helps to predict the return of cryptocurrencies. Originality/value The study suggests the investors or crypto lovers to observe the growth of COVID-19 situations during their investment in cryptocurrency markets.
The rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 forced many countries to enforce complete lockdown and strict quarantine policies. The strict lockdown and quarantine affect the psychological state of people toward cryptocurrency. The current research aims to examine the effect of COVID-19 on Bitcoin prices concerning cumulative deaths and confirmed cases. The research comprises daily data from January 20, 2020, to April 30, 2020, during the initial worldwide breakout of COVID-19. This research employed the augmented Dickey-Fuller test to check the stationarity of data, the co-integration test for the interdependency of variables, and the vector error correction model for identifying the direction and long or short-run relationship between Bitcoin prices and COVID-19. The research results show that Bitcoin prices are negatively significant and related to COVID-19 in the short-run. A unidirectional relationship between Bitcoin prices and cumulative deaths is also observed. Investors and the public's psychological state were positively significant to Bitcoin prices in the long-term because of cashless transactions, unbanked, and less risky virus traveling. The second reason behind the positive psychological relation is un-centralization and easy-to-make payments by Bitcoin. This study's finding provides timely evidence to decision-makers on Bitcoin price volatility and its impacts on the public's psychological states regarding COVID-19.