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Understanding Cryptocurrencies

Author

Listed:
  • Härdle, Wolfgang Karl
  • Harvey, Campbell R.
  • Reule, Raphael C. G.

Abstract

Cryptocurrencies refer to a type of digital cash that use distributed ledger - or blockchain technology - to provide secure transactions. These currencies are generally misunderstood. While initially dismissed as fads or bubbles, many large central banks are considering launching their own version of national cryptocurrencies. In contrast to most data in nancial economics, there is a plethora of detailed (free) data on the history of every transaction for the cryptocurrency complex. Further, there is little empirically-oriented research on this new asset class. This is an extraordinary research opportunity for academia. We provide a starting point by giving an insight into cryptocurrency mechanisms and detailing summary statistics and focusing on potential future research avenues in nancial economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Härdle, Wolfgang Karl & Harvey, Campbell R. & Reule, Raphael C. G., 2018. "Understanding Cryptocurrencies," IRTG 1792 Discussion Papers 2018-044, Humboldt University of Berlin, International Research Training Group 1792 "High Dimensional Nonstationary Time Series".
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:irtgdp:2018044
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cryptocurrency; Blockchain; Bitcoin; Economic bubbles; Peer-to-Peer; Cryptographic hashing; Consensus; Proof-of-Work; Proof-of-stake; Volatility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • C58 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Financial Econometrics
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E51 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Money Supply; Credit; Money Multipliers
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • K24 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Cyber Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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