The Examination of the Relationship Between Bitcoin (BTC) Trading Volume in Türkiye and Google Trends Data on Bitcoin Searches in Google Search Engine

Abstract

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have recently rekindled discussions in financial circles, both due to their technologies and price movements. The increasing inclination of investors who seek returns and embrace risk towards cryptocurrency markets is evident, driven by sudden price fluctuations. The potential of cryptocurrencies to serve as alternatives to traditional investment instruments continues to be debated within the financial framework. Researchers are persistently exploring financial instruments associated with the price fluctuations of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This study investigates the interest in Bitcoin in Türkiye within the scope of Bitcoin trading volume and the "Bitcoin" search results on Google Trends. Bitcoin trade volume of BTCTurk and Paribu, two cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Türkiye, and Bitcoin search data on Google were included in the study. In this context, the long-term relationship between Bitcoin trading volume and Google Trends results is examined using the Engle-Granger cointegration test, and the existence of causality is explored through the Toda-Yamamoto causality test. According to the findings of the study, a cointegration relationship among the variables is identified. It is revealed that there is no bidirectional causality between Bitcoin trading volume and Google Trends search results. However, it is established that Google Trends is the cause of Bitcoin trading volume.