Magdalena Rãdulescu, Kamel Si Mohammed, Abdelmohsen A. Nassani, Nicoleta Dascalu
This study investigates the impact of Bitcoin's energy and water consumption on environmental sustainability, focusing on the load capacity factor (LCF) and the roles of energy transition green technology in major cryptocurrency-producing nations. Utilizing the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) approach, the findings reveal a negative impact of mining energy consumption on environmental sustainability, particularly in the lower quantiles, with a stronger negative effect in the higher quantiles. Energy transition plays a critical role in moderating this impact, though the shift towards cleaner energy sources has not been sufficient to mitigate the adverse environmental effects. The water footprint has limited influence on LCF across upper and lower quantiles. Moreover, the results do not support the LCF hypothesis. An increase in mining activity leads to a rise in LCF, while this effect turns negative in the 90th quantile. These findings underscore the importance of energy transition in reducing Bitcoin's environmental footprint and emphasize the need for policymakers to swiftly enact regulations and foster innovative technologies to promote environmentally sustainable digital currencies while providing valuable insights into water resource management.
Naveed Khan, OlaOluwa S. Yaya, Xuan Vinh Vo, Hassan Zada
In this paper, we examine the volatility and time-frequency connectedness among the financial stress index (FSI), cryptocurrencies namely, Bitcoin , Ethereum, Tether, BNB, Solana, and commodities namely, Gold, Silver, Copper, Platinum, and Brent Oil, using the quantile vector autoregressive (QVAR) frequency connectedness, wavelet coherence, and hedging effectiveness techniques, for the period spanning from June 2020 to December 2023. Findings indicate that the spillover effect among FSI, cryptocurrencies, and commodities substantially varies across different volatility conditions. Also, some cryptocurrencies are net receivers of shocks during normal market conditions, while other cryptocurrencies are net transmitters during extreme market conditions. We also find that, during the bullish market, some commodities (Platinum and Brent oil) are net receivers, while other commodities are net transmitters under extreme market conditions (lower quantiles). Similarly, findings further show that, under extreme volatility conditions (higher quantiles), cryptocurrencies and commodities are net receivers of shocks, while FSI is a net transmitter during these volatility conditions. Using frequency co-movement analysis, we find strong and weak correlations between these series in the short- and long-run for shorter periods. Furthermore, findings provide important implications for policymakers and portfolio managers to pay attention to long-term dynamics and design appropriate policies that mitigate the spillover effects.
Shusheng Ding, Xiangling Wu, Tianxiang Cui, John W. Goodell · 5 authors
Climate change is a highly controversial topic within the socioeconomic context. Climate Policy Uncertainty (CPU) arises from the process of climate policies formulation and implementation. This uncertainty impacts financial market volatilities, including cryptocurrency markets . In this paper, we demonstrate the substantial role of CPU in forecasting volatilities in cryptocurrency markets using Genetic Programming (GP). Our study shows that different cryptocurrency markets respond differently to CPU across time scales. Our paper contributes to the literature by illustrating the impact of CPU on cryptocurrency market volatilities and analyzes it across different time horizons. Second, we build three volatility forecasting models for different cryptocurrency markets by incorporating CPU, which outperform traditional models. Our models can thereby illuminate portfolio construction and hedging strategies, providing valuable insights for investors and policymakers.
Purpose This study aims to examine whether rising air pollution impacts cryptocurrency returns across different categories. Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel regression to investigate the impact of air pollution on cryptocurrencies between January 2014 and June 2023. Cryptocurrency prices are sourced from www.coinmarketcap.com . Air quality is measured using the air quality index (AQI) values provided by the World Air Quality Index Project. Generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators for dynamic panel regression have also been used to control for endogeneity concerns. Findings High AQI levels are observed to negatively affect cryptocurrency returns. This impact remains absent during good air quality and for cryptocurrencies with lower energy consumption like stablecoins, clean energy and health cryptocurrencies, supporting the argument that rising air pollution leads to lower returns for cryptocurrencies more prone to damaging the environment. Practical implications The findings of this study could offer investors valuable insights in formulating more efficient cryptocurrency trading strategies. It also demonstrates how environmental variables influence the performance of volatile assets like cryptocurrencies. The presence of lower returns for currencies perceived as damaging to the environment could put the focus on promoting sustainability in the production of such digital currencies. Originality/value No prior study has investigated the influence of AQI on cryptocurrency returns. This study aims to focus on the behavioral aspect of financial decision-making. As cryptocurrency adoption rates rise across the globe, the findings of this study can provide useful insights to cryptocurrency traders.
Optimizing the tax business environment is of crucial significance for enhancing enterprise innovation efficiency and fostering sustainable development. This study utilizes the dataset of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2013 to 2022. By leveraging the quasi-natural experiment of the “Decentralization, Management and Service” reform pilot in the tax system, it adopts the multi-period difference-in-differences method to empirically investigate the impact of tax business environment optimization on enterprise innovation efficiency. The research reveals that the “Decentralization, Management, and Service” reform in the tax system exerts a significantly positive influence on enterprise innovation efficiency, and this result remains robust after a series of robustness tests. This optimization promotes enterprise innovation efficiency through three main channels: alleviating financing constraints, reducing transaction costs, and enhancing digitalization levels. The promoting effect is more pronounced for enterprises in mid-western regions, non-state-owned enterprises, large-scale enterprises, and those with high innovation endowments. Furthermore, it further contributes to the improvement of enterprise total factor productivity and the expansion of business scale, achieving the coordinated objectives of enhancing enterprise quality and efficiency and strengthening development momentum. These findings deepen our understanding of the economic implications of optimizing the tax business environment and offer empirical evidence for creating a conducive tax environment for the development of market entities.
This paper investigates the diversification, hedging, and safe-haven capabilities of Bitcoin and gold against blue economy and green finance assets using three different MGARCH models (DCC, ADCC, and GO-GARCH) during adverse events such as the COVID-19 health crisis and the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict. Blue economy assets, which refer to sectors that sustainably utilize ocean resources, are a key focus alongside green finance assets. The findings reveal that during crises, Bitcoin demonstrates robust safe-haven characteristics, particularly against blue economy assets like BJLE and OCEN. Conversely, gold exhibits pronounced safe-haven properties against specific blue economy and green finance assets such as BJLE and FAN. The GO-GARCH model highlights gold's strong diversification and safe-haven roles, especially against BJLE. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is more effective as a diversifier for PIO. Moreover, the GO-GARCH model consistently outperforms the DCC and ADCC models in terms of hedging effectiveness, showing that gold is the preferred hedging instrument for GNR and TAN, while Bitcoin is more effective for other blue and green assets. The results underscore the distinct roles of Bitcoin and gold in portfolio management strategies, offering insights for investors navigating market uncertainties in the context of sustainable investments.
Hanan Haider Ali, Sumathi Kumaraswamy, Sara Al Balooshi, Yomna Abdulla
This study examines the news impact, persistence and asymmetric effects of stock, oil and cryptocurrency markets in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The diagonal BEKK method is applied to the daily trading prices of three major cryptocurrencies, crude oil and four stock market indices from January 2018 to February 2024. The empirical results indicate a strong, significant volatility spillover between cryptocurrencies, oil and stock prices, but no return spillover effect among these asset classes. A negative news shock in cryptocurrency markets generates more volatility in GCC stock prices than positive news. The study suggests that cryptocurrency price movements are independent of other asset classes, providing portfolio diversification opportunities for investors in GCC countries.
Mark Ng, Monica Law, Brian Wong Chi Bo, Michael Liang
Purpose This study explores key factors influencing individuals' intentions to invest in NFTs, focusing on personal innovativeness, reward sensitivity, knowledge, subjective norms, perceived value and perceived risk. The aim is to provide insights into what motivates investors within this emerging market, addressing a gap in the understanding of NFT adoption from an investor perspective. Design/methodology/approach An online survey collected data from 272 participants in China and Hong Kong. The research employs partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the relationships between various individual, social and market factors and NFT investment intentions. Findings The results suggest that personal innovativeness, reward sensitivity, NFT knowledge, subjective norms and perceived value positively impact NFT investment intentions. Additionally, age and income moderate the effects of subjective norms and perceived value on investment intentions, highlighting demographic influences. Practical implications For practitioners, insights into investor motivators can inform strategies to promote NFT investments, such as promoting the high reward potential, enhancing investor knowledge, leveraging social proof and emphasizing NFTs' perceived value. For academics, the findings open pathways for further research into investor psychology and the evolving dynamics of NFT and traditional investment markets. Originality/value This study advances NFT literature by identifying determinants of NFT investment behavior, a relatively uncharted area. By incorporating theories from investment behavior and technology adoption, it provides a new framework to understand the psychological and social drivers specific to NFT investments.
Purpose The purpose of the current study is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by understanding the rationale, benefits and consequences of taxing cryptocurrency transactions. This study investigates where taxation and cryptocurrencies meet from an investment standpoint. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive bibliometric study was conducted to offer a thorough examination of the published literature in the last decade pertaining to the intersection of cryptocurrencies and taxation across nations. This study provides an analysis of citation patterns, prominent authors, publication trends and thematic clusters by applying VOSviewer and R-studio. Findings The results indicate a tendency in the existing literature to address the taxes concerns associated with cryptocurrency transactions. The findings demonstrate that cryptocurrency taxation discrepancies across countries create tax evasion, transaction risks and market uncertainties. Practical implications The report provides a theoretical framework for policymakers and financial experts to create a global cryptocurrency tax regime. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate technology start-ups to mitigate public safety and security risks, strengthen financial systems and provide regulators with necessary supervision. Originality/value The study provides an extensive on taxation issues such as tax evasion and money laundering in the context of cryptocurrency. There has been no prior effort to explore this research domain so deeply and provide comprehensive details on cryptocurrency.
Yongsheng Guo, Ezaddin Yousef, Mirza Muhammad Naseer
This study investigates the key drivers and the economic and social impacts of cryptocurrency adoption. Based on panel data across 37 countries from 2020 to 2023, this research examines the interplay between cryptocurrency adoption and technology development, monetary policies, and economic and social development. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporates panel data analysis across multiple countries to explore correlations and causal relationships between these variables. The study found that technology development, measured by the Network Readiness Index (NRI) enables cryptocurrency adoption. Economic conditions measured by higher national inflation rates and monetary policy indicators, including lower interest and exchange rates are the key drivers for cryptocurrency adoption. The empirical findings reveal that cryptocurrency adoption has negative relationships with economic development measured by the GDP growth rate, unemployment rate, and social development represented by the governance quality corruption index. It implies that cryptocurrency is used as a virtual anchor (digital gold) for national inflation. Findings reveal how network readiness, economic conditions, and monetary policies contribute to fostering cryptocurrency adoption, while resulting in impacts on economic growth, labour markets, and governance. The research contributes to the literature by integrating technological, economic, and governance perspectives to elucidate the role of cryptocurrency in reshaping the global economic and social systems.
(1) Background: Cryptocurrencies have a substantial environmental impact. In particular, the mining procedure that is employed to produce and finalize the transaction is energy-intensive and generates carbon emissions. Consequently, the objective of the present investigation is to investigate the function of cryptocurrencies in a sustainable development. This research specifically investigates the function of stablecoins, a novel subject in finance and academia that has the potential to foster a sustainable business environment. (2) Methods: A bibliometric analysis was performed using the R statistical programming language together with the bibliometric tools Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to fulfill the research objective. Data were obtained from the Scopus database, and their selection was completed using the PRISMA methodology. (3) Results: The results of the current research highlight the crucial role of stablecoins in promoting an alternative decentralized financial sector, offering a unique opportunity for the market to create a more inclusive and environmentally friendly financial ecosystem. Moreover, research indicates that stablecoins might convert Ethereum into a stable currency and enhance their ecologically friendly path. (4) Conclusions: Stablecoins have become a crucial tool in the unpredictable bitcoin environment, offering stability in a tumultuous market. The research indicates that users need to acknowledge the sustainability of asset collateral, and so far, only the regulation of stablecoins is progressing in this area.
Samar S. Alharbi, Muhammad Naveed, Shoaib Ali, Faten Moussa
Using the TVP-VAR model, this study examines the connectedness between green cryptocurrencies and the individual components of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) stocks. Our sample period runs from November 10, 2017, to September 12, 2023. Our results indicate a moderate level of return and volatility transmission between green cryptocurrencies and ESG stocks. In line with theoretical argumentation, cryptocurrencies act as receivers of both return and volatility spillovers from the system, while stocks are the main transmitters. Our dynamic results show a substantial rise in total return and volatility connectedness of the system during the outset of the COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine conflict, suggesting that global event amplifies the system connectedness. Moreover, the time-varying net results also exhibit a similar pattern, where the role of each asset changes during the turmoil period. Finally, our portfolio analysis suggests that green cryptocurrencies provide diversification to green stocks during both normal and turbulent periods. Additionally, they also emerge as effective hedges against ESG stocks across all market conditions. However, the hedge ratio increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting hedging becomes more expensive during turbulent periods. Our findings provide valuable insights for portfolio managers and policymakers regarding asset allocation, risk management, and the evolving dynamics between green cryptocurrencies and ESG stocks in an increasingly interconnected financial landscape.
Purpose Cryptocurrencies have transformed the financial landscape and raised environmental concerns, particularly distinguishing between energy-intensive (dirty) cryptocurrencies and environmentally friendly (green) cryptocurrencies. This study investigates the role of energy-intensive and ecologically friendly cryptocurrencies in sustainable investments, exploring their potential as hedging tools amid market and geopolitical stresses. Design/methodology/approach Employing a time-varying parameter vector auto-regression (TVP-VAR) connectedness approach, the research analyzes the interactions and spillover effects among clean and dirty cryptocurrencies, green bonds, and traditional financial assets. It also explores portfolio diversification strategies like minimum variance, correlation and connectedness portfolios, evaluating their risk minimization efficacy while incorporating green financial instruments. Empirical data on daily closing prices and financial indices are used to assess financial interconnectedness and evaluate portfolio diversification strategies. Findings Green bonds consistently provide strong hedging capabilities, while clean cryptocurrencies exhibit a more nuanced role influenced by market maturity and regulations. The results underscore the significance of promoting green finance to bolster investments in sustainable projects and enhance risk management strategies for investors. This research enriches the green finance literature by detailing the financial interconnectedness within the market and providing strategic insights for embedding sustainability in investment portfolios against a backdrop of global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Research limitations/implications The research highlights the importance of green finance in promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. It advocates for regulatory frameworks that support sustainable financial instruments, encouraging the development of financial products aligned with environmental goals and fostering a more sustainable economy. Practical implications These research findings provide actionable guidance for investors and policymakers to develop diversified investment strategies incorporating green bonds and clean cryptocurrencies capable of balancing risks and returns. The study also urges policymakers to establish clear guidelines and incentives for green investments, improving transparency and effectiveness in green finance markets. Originality/value This study uses an innovative TVP-VAR connectedness approach to examine the interactions and spillover effects among clean and dirty cryptocurrencies, green bonds and traditional financial assets. It provides new insights into the roles of green bonds and clean cryptocurrencies as hedging tools in volatile markets, enhancing the understanding of financial interconnectedness and sustainable investment strategies.
For the development of the clean energy industry and the transformation of energy, clean energy metals are essential raw materials. They are also crucial constituents of the commodity market, attracting many cross-market investors. This research uses the asymmetric TVP-VAR framework to investigate the time-varying connectivity between cryptocurrency environmental attention (ICEA) and clean energy metals’ prices. The results show that ICEA received the net spillover from clean energy metals, while clean energy metals exhibit heterogeneity. There is a difference between the spillover of positive and negative returns among series, and the connectedness of negative returns is more prominent. In addition, the series’ total and net connectivity are time-varying and influenced by COVID-19. This study has certain reference values for the academia and market participants.