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The Bitcoin volume-volatility relationship: A high frequency analysis of futures and spot exchanges

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  • Conlon, Thomas
  • Corbet, Shaen
  • McGee, Richard J.

Abstract

We examine the volume-volatility relationship across Bitcoin futures and spot markets, using daily realised volatility measures estimated from high frequency intraday data. We estimate realised spot volatility across five major exchanges using both the standard volume weighted price and using a new approach, inspired by the CME Bitcoin Reference Rate methodology. We find that unexpected trading volume is the most important explanatory variable for BRR spot volatility, explaining 20% of variation in price volatility at exchange level. Conversely, we find that both expected and unexpected CME Bitcoin futures volumes play a very limited or even calming role in systemic volatility. Our findings suggest that CME Bitcoin futures are not independently contributing to systemic risk in Bitcoin over the period studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Conlon, Thomas & Corbet, Shaen & McGee, Richard J., 2024. "The Bitcoin volume-volatility relationship: A high frequency analysis of futures and spot exchanges," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:91:y:2024:i:c:s105752192300529x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2023.103013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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