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Social media-based attention and the cross-section of cryptocurrency returns

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  • Maître, Arnaud T.
  • Pugachyov, Nikolay
  • Weigert, Florian

Abstract

This paper investigates how investors’ abnormal attention affects the cross-section of cryptocurrency returns in the period from 2018 to 2022. We capture abnormal attention using the (log) number of Twitter posts on individual cryptocurrencies on the current day minus a 30-day average. Our results reveal that abnormal attention is positively associated with contemporaneous and one-day ahead crypto performance. Among the different Twitter tweets, return predictability arises due to Ticker-tweets from investors, but not due to tweets from the cryptocurrency channel. These Official-tweets, however, are able to forecast technological innovations on the blockchain.

Suggested Citation

  • Maître, Arnaud T. & Pugachyov, Nikolay & Weigert, Florian, 2025. "Social media-based attention and the cross-section of cryptocurrency returns," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:178:y:2025:i:c:s0378426625001384
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2025.107518
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