Does Bitcoin share the same characteristics as a financial asset? Empirical evidence through the monetary policy

Abstract

The cryptocurrency market, especially Bitcoin, has been received much attention from investors in the market. They often pay attention to which factors determine Bitcoin prices in order to make an investment decision more correctly. Therefore, the research focuses on the determinants of Bitcoin prices in the market based on previous studies relevant to stocks. In addition, to control variables including stock prices, gold prices, and exchange rates, the study also emphasizes on the monetary policy of the two great countries considered to have a strong influence on the volatility of the cryptocurrency market, the US and China. Data in the research are collected from reliable sources (coinmarketcap.com for Bitcoin data and Euromonitor for data on interest rates of the monetary policy). The study collects daily data for Bitcoin prices and monthly data for macroeconomic variables in the period of 2010 – 2018. With regard to the time series data, the research applies two econometric methods, GARCH and EGARCH, to evaluate the difference between positive and negative shocks of the monetary policy towards Bitcoin prices. The results indicate that interest rates of the Chinese and American monetary policy have a converse relationship with Bitcoin prices. Besides, control variables show a statistically significant association with Bitcoin prices. In conclusion, the research suggests that Bitcoin has the characteristics of a financial asset based on its similarities over determinants between stocks and Bitcoin.