Nexus between cryptocurrencies and global uncertainty: A quantile regression approach

The study extends the literature on the nexus between cryptocurrency and uncertainty. This study proxied the cryptocurrencies and global uncertainty, respectively, with the seven most significant and variationally susceptible cryptos and the comprehensive world uncertainty in measuring the crypto-uncertainty nexus over the period (2015–2022) and further employing the quantile regression approach. The OLS model results point to a blend of both significant and insignificant relationship between global uncertainty and cryptocurrencies. These relationships were further examined in quantiles and further accounted for the impact of investor sentiments (VIX) and volatility (OVX), and the results were largely corroborated with the results from the conventional OLS, except for the Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ripple markets. It was also discovered that the nexus changes across quantiles. The results revealed a blend of strong and weak hedges and safe havens among the selected cryptos against global uncertainty during normal and extreme market conditions. In the face of global turmoil, it was revealed that the average crypto market could serve as a safe haven. Also, the cryptos with an insignificant nexus with global uncertainty were found to be significantly affected by investor sentiment. These findings were further confirmed by the quantile-on-quantile and causality-in-quantile estimations. Given the intense precariousness and lack of hedge and haven capacities within the majority of the cryptocurrencies, it is pertinent for investors to consider the market in general as a means of diversifying their portfolios and reserve the hedge and haven option to the few markets that possess such luxury.