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Re-evaluating cryptocurrencies' contribution to portfolio diversification -- A portfolio analysis with special focus on German investors

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  • Tim Schmitz
  • Ingo Hoffmann

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate whether mixing cryptocurrencies to a German investor portfolio improves portfolio diversification. We analyse this research question by applying a (mean variance) portfolio analysis using a toolbox consisting of (i) the comparison of descriptive statistics, (ii) graphical methods and (iii) econometric spanning tests. In contrast to most of the former studies we use a (broad) customized, Equally-Weighted Cryptocurrency Index (EWCI) to capture the average development of a whole ex ante defined cryptocurrency universe and to mitigate possible survivorship biases in the data. According to Glas/Poddig (2018), this bias could have led to misleading results in some already existing studies. We find that cryptocurrencies can improve portfolio diversification in a few of the analyzed windows from our dataset (consisting of weekly observations from 2014-01-01 to 2019-05-31). However, we cannot confirm this pattern as the normal case. By including cryptocurrencies in their portfolios, investors predominantly cannot reach a significantly higher efficient frontier. These results also hold, if the non-normality of cryptocurrency returns is considered. Moreover, we control for changes of the results, if transaction costs/illiquidities on the cryptocurrency market are additionally considered.

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  • Tim Schmitz & Ingo Hoffmann, 2020. "Re-evaluating cryptocurrencies' contribution to portfolio diversification -- A portfolio analysis with special focus on German investors," Papers 2006.06237, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2006.06237
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    Cited by:

    1. Dean Fantazzini, 2022. "Crypto-Coins and Credit Risk: Modelling and Forecasting Their Probability of Death," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-34, July.
    2. Pascal Bruhn & Dietmar Ernst, 2022. "Assessing the Risk Characteristics of the Cryptocurrency Market: A GARCH-EVT-Copula Approach," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-28, August.
    3. Christoph J. Borner & Ingo Hoffmann & Jonas Krettek & Lars M. Kurzinger & Tim Schmitz, 2021. "On the Return Distributions of a Basket of Cryptocurrencies and Subsequent Implications," Papers 2105.12334, arXiv.org.
    4. Christoph J. Borner & Ingo Hoffmann & Jonas Krettek & Lars M. Kurzinger & Tim Schmitz, 2021. "Bitcoin: Like a Satellite or Always Hardcore? A Core-Satellite Identification in the Cryptocurrency Market," Papers 2105.12336, arXiv.org.
    5. Fantazzini, Dean, 2023. "Assessing the Credit Risk of Crypto-Assets Using Daily Range Volatility Models," MPRA Paper 117141, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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