Abstract
This paper studies evolution of the asymmetric sheltering role of Bitcoin compared to gold against oil-related uncertainties with varying severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a varying-coefficient quantile approach, we find a safe haven role of Bitcoin, and it becomes gradually stronger when the pandemic intensifies. The relationship between gold and oil markets is shown to vary with changing severity of the pandemic. We find that gold acts as an increasingly weakened diversifier as the pandemic intensifies until a level, above which its diversification gains would dissipate then. In normal market conditions, both Bitcoin and gold perform as weak hedges for oil portfolios. Our findings demonstrate that interpretation of the sheltering role of Bitcoin and gold against oil market downturns would be biased unless the role dynamics in different market conditions and pandemic severity are considered. Additional analyses reassure robustness of our findings.
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