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Inflation and cryptocurrencies revisited: A time-scale analysis

Author

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

Abstract

This letter revisits the time-series relation between cryptocurrency prices and forward inflation expectations. Using wavelet time-scale techniques, a positive link between cryptocurrencies and forward inflation rates is identified, focused on a brief period surrounding the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This coincides with a rapid and synchronized decrease in cryptocurrency prices and forward inflation expectations, followed by a swift recovery to pre-crisis levels. Outside of the crisis period, we find no clear evidence of any inflation hedging capacity of Bitcoin or Ethereum during times of increasing forward inflation expectations.

Suggested Citation

  • Conlon, Thomas & Corbet, Shaen & McGee, Richard J., 2021. "Inflation and cryptocurrencies revisited: A time-scale analysis," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:206:y:2021:i:c:s0165176521002731
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2021.109996
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. B M, Lithin & chakraborty, Suman & iyer, Vishwanathan & M N, Nikhil & ledwani, Sanket, 2022. "Modeling asymmetric sovereign bond yield volatility with univariate GARCH models: Evidence from India," MPRA Paper 117067, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 Jan 2023.
    3. Ma, Chaoqun & Tian, Yonggang & Hsiao, Shisong & Deng, Liurui, 2022. "Monetary policy shocks and Bitcoin prices," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    4. Li, Shi, 2022. "Spillovers between Bitcoin and Meme stocks," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    5. Jahanshahloo, Hossein & Corbet, Shaen & Oxley, Les, 2022. "Seeking sigma: Time-of-the-day effects on the Bitcoin network," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    6. Sakurai, Yuji & Kurosaki, Tetsuo, 2023. "Have cryptocurrencies become an inflation hedge after the reopening of the U.S. economy?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    7. Kyriazis, Nikolaos & Papadamou, Stephanos & Tzeremes, Panayiotis & Corbet, Shaen, 2023. "Can cryptocurrencies provide a viable hedging mechanism for benchmark index investors?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. David Cerezo S'anchez, 2022. "Zero-Knowledge Optimal Monetary Policy under Stochastic Dominance," Papers 2210.06139, arXiv.org.
    9. Kolawole Ibrahim Gbolahan, 2023. "An Empirical Investigation of Bitcoin Hedging Capabilities against Inflation using VECM: The Case of United States, Eurozone, Philippines, Ukraine, Canada, India, and Nigeria," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(6), pages 91-100, November.
    10. Umar, Zaghum & Gubareva, Mariya & Teplova, Tamara & Tran, Dang K., 2022. "Covid-19 impact on NFTs and major asset classes interrelations: Insights from the wavelet coherence analysis," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB).
    11. Tao Yan & Shengnan Li & Benjamin Kraner & Luyao Zhang & Claudio J. Tessone, 2024. "Analyzing Reward Dynamics and Decentralization in Ethereum 2.0: An Advanced Data Engineering Workflow and Comprehensive Datasets for Proof-of-Stake Incentives," Papers 2402.11170, arXiv.org.
    12. Marcin Wk{a}torek & Jaros{l}aw Kwapie'n & Stanis{l}aw Dro.zd.z, 2023. "Cryptocurrencies Are Becoming Part of the World Global Financial Market," Papers 2303.00495, arXiv.org.
    13. Aggarwal, Divya & Kalia, Deepali, 2022. "Examining comovement and causality between producer price index for P&C insurance premium and uncertainty indices: Wavelet and non-parametric quantile causality approach," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(2), pages 141-148.
    14. Feyen,Erik H.B. & Kawashima,Yusaku & Mittal,Raunak, 2022. "Crypto-Assets Activity around the World : Evolution and Macro-Financial Drivers," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9962, The World Bank.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inflation expectations; Bitcoin; Ethereum; Hedging; Wavelets; Cryptocurrencies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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