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High frequency momentum trading with cryptocurrencies

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  • Chu, Jeffrey
  • Chan, Stephen
  • Zhang, Yuanyuan

Abstract

Over the past few years, cryptocurrencies have increasingly been discussed as alternatives to traditional fiat currencies. These digital currencies have garnered significant interest from investment banks and portfolio managers as a potential option to diversify the financial risk from investing in other assets. This interest has also extended to the general public who have seen cryptocurrencies as a way of making a quick profit. This paper provides a first insight into the applicability of high frequency momentum trading strategies for cryptocurrencies. We implemented two variations of a signal-based momentum trading strategy: (i) a time series method; (ii) a cross sectional method. These strategies were tested on a selection of seven of the largest cryptocurrencies ranked by market capitalization. The results show that there exists potential for the momentum strategy to be used successfully for cryptocurrency trading in a high frequency setting. A comparison with a passive portfolio strategy is proposed, which shows abnormal returns when compared with the momentum strategies. Furthermore, the robustness of our results are checked through the application of the momentum strategies other sample periods. We also compare the performances of the signal-based momentum strategies with returns-based versions of the strategies. It is shown that the signal-based strategy outperforms the returns-based strategy. However, there appears to be no single parameterization of the signal-based strategies that can generate the greatest cumulative return over all sample periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Chu, Jeffrey & Chan, Stephen & Zhang, Yuanyuan, 2020. "High frequency momentum trading with cryptocurrencies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:52:y:2020:i:c:s0275531919308062
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2019.101176
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    Cited by:

    1. Hu, Yang & Hou, Yang (Greg) & Oxley, Les & Corbet, Shaen, 2021. "Does blockchain patent-development influence Bitcoin risk?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    2. Dunbar, Kwamie & Owusu-Amoako, Johnson, 2023. "Predictability of crypto returns: The impact of trading behavior," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    3. Bouteska, Ahmed & Hajek, Petr & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul & Dong, Yizhe, 2023. "Effect of twitter investor engagement on cryptocurrencies during the COVID-19 pandemic," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Isabela Ruiz Roque da Silva & Eli Hadad Junior & Pedro Paulo Balbi, 2022. "Cryptocurrencies trading algorithms: A review," Journal of Forecasting, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(8), pages 1661-1668, December.
    5. Colombo, Jefferson A. & Cruz, Fernando I. L. & Paese, Luis H. Z. & Cortes, Renan X., 2021. "The diversification benefits of cryptocurrencies in multi-asset portfolios: cross-country evidence," Textos para discussão 542, FGV EESP - Escola de Economia de São Paulo, Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil).
    6. Chan, Stephen & Chu, Jeffrey & Zhang, Yuanyuan & Nadarajah, Saralees, 2022. "An extreme value analysis of the tail relationships between returns and volumes for high frequency cryptocurrencies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    7. Almeida, José & Gonçalves, Tiago Cruz, 2023. "A systematic literature review of investor behavior in the cryptocurrency markets," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    8. Borgards, Oliver, 2021. "Dynamic time series momentum of cryptocurrencies," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    9. Helder Sebastião & Pedro Godinho, 2021. "Forecasting and trading cryptocurrencies with machine learning under changing market conditions," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-30, December.

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