IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/reveco/v99y2025ics1059056025002266.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental attention in cryptocurrency markets: A catalyst for clean energy investments

Author

Listed:
  • Qing, Lingli
  • Alnafrah, Ibrahim
  • Dagestani, Abd Alwahed

Abstract

The energy-intensive nature of cryptocurrency mining, largely reliant on fossil fuels in its early development, has raised growing environmental concern. Consequently, the Index of Cryptocurrency Environmental Attention (ICEA) has emerged, gauging public attention towards this issue. This study investigates the complex interplay between ICEA, cryptocurrency price and policy volatilities, green energy investments, and dirty energy prices. Utilizing a dataset spanning from January 2015 to June 2023, we employ a multifaceted approach encompassing cross-quantilogram, time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR), and wavelet coherence techniques to uncover the dynamic interconnectedness of these three markets. Our findings challenge a simplistic narrative that anticipates a direct link between ICEA and immediate reductions in electricity consumption within the cryptocurrency mining sector. Instead, we discern a nuanced picture wherein ICEA drives significant structural transformations, influencing investments in clean energy markets. Our analysis suggests that ICEA stimulates green energy investments, encouraging miners to explore alternative energy sources with lower environmental impacts. This transition paves the way for more sustainable investments, with green energy sources like renewables playing an increasingly prominent role in powering the cryptocurrency industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Qing, Lingli & Alnafrah, Ibrahim & Dagestani, Abd Alwahed, 2025. "Environmental attention in cryptocurrency markets: A catalyst for clean energy investments," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:99:y:2025:i:c:s1059056025002266
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2025.104063
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1059056025002266
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104063?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bouteska, Ahmed & Sharif, Taimur & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul, 2023. "Volatility spillovers and other dynamics between cryptocurrencies and the energy and bond markets," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 1-13.
    2. Kamal, Javed Bin & Hassan, M. Kabir, 2022. "Asymmetric connectedness between cryptocurrency environment attention index and green assets," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    3. Huang, Yingying & Duan, Kun & Urquhart, Andrew, 2023. "Time-varying dependence between Bitcoin and green financial assets: A comparison between pre- and post-COVID-19 periods," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    4. Li, Zijian & Meng, Qiaoyu, 2022. "Time and frequency connectedness and portfolio diversification between cryptocurrencies and renewable energy stock markets during COVID-19," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    5. Guillaume Chapron, 2017. "The environment needs cryptogovernance," Nature, Nature, vol. 545(7655), pages 403-405, May.
    6. Pham, Linh & Huynh, Toan Luu Duc & Hanif, Waqas, 2023. "Time-varying asymmetric spillovers among cryptocurrency, green and fossil-fuel investments," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    7. Arfaoui, Nadia & Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Boubaker, Sabri & Mirza, Nawazish & Karim, Sitara, 2023. "Interdependence of clean energy and green markets with cryptocurrencies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    8. Andrew W. Lo, 2012. "Adaptive Markets and the New World Order (corrected May 2012)," Financial Analysts Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 68(2), pages 18-29, March.
    9. Jareño, Francisco & González, María de la O. & López, Raquel & Ramos, Ana Rosa, 2021. "Cryptocurrencies and oil price shocks: A NARDL analysis in the COVID-19 pandemic," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    10. Pesaran, H. Hashem & Shin, Yongcheol, 1998. "Generalized impulse response analysis in linear multivariate models," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(1), pages 17-29, January.
    11. Patel, Ritesh & Gubareva, Mariya & Chishti, Muhammad Zubair & Teplova, Tamara, 2024. "Connectedness between healthcare cryptocurrencies and major asset classes: Implications for hedging and investments strategies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. Shabeer Khan & Mirzat Ullah & Mohammad Rahim Shahzad & Uzair Abdullah Khan & Umair Khan & Sayed M. Eldin & Abeer M. Alotaibi, 2022. "Spillover Connectedness among Global Uncertainties and Sectorial Indices of Pakistan: Evidence from Quantile Connectedness Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.
    13. Han, Heejoon & Linton, Oliver & Oka, Tatsushi & Whang, Yoon-Jae, 2016. "The cross-quantilogram: Measuring quantile dependence and testing directional predictability between time series," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 193(1), pages 251-270.
    14. Hassan, M. Kabir & Hasan, Md. Bokhtiar & Halim, Zairihan Abdul & Maroney, Neal & Rashid, Md. Mamunur, 2022. "Exploring the dynamic spillover of cryptocurrency environmental attention across the commodities, green bonds, and environment-related stocks," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    15. Wang, Guotao & Liao, Qi & Li, Zhengbing & Zhang, Haoran & Liang, Yongtu & Wei, Xuemei, 2022. "How does soaring natural gas prices impact renewable energy: A case study in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    16. Anwer, Zaheer & Farid, Saqib & Khan, Ashraf & Benlagha, Noureddine, 2023. "Cryptocurrencies versus environmentally sustainable assets: Does a perfect hedge exist?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 418-431.
    17. Rabeh Khalfaoui & Sami Ben Jabeur & Buhari Dogan, 2022. "The spillover effects and connectedness among green commodities, Bitcoins, and US stock markets: Evidence from the quantile VAR network," Post-Print hal-03797573, HAL.
    18. Yen, Kuang-Chieh & Cheng, Hui-Pei, 2021. "Economic policy uncertainty and cryptocurrency volatility," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    19. Mingbo Zheng & Gen-Fu Feng & Xinxin Zhao & Chun-Ping Chang, 2023. "The transaction behavior of cryptocurrency and electricity consumption," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    20. Lucey, Brian M. & Vigne, Samuel A. & Yarovaya, Larisa & Wang, Yizhi, 2022. "The cryptocurrency uncertainty index," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    21. I. El Ouadghiri & K. Guesmi & Jonathan Peillex & A. Ziegler, 2021. "Public Attention to Environmental Issues and Stock Market Returns," Post-Print hal-03678291, HAL.
    22. El Ouadghiri, Imane & Guesmi, Khaled & Peillex, Jonathan & Ziegler, Andreas, 2021. "Public Attention to Environmental Issues and Stock Market Returns," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    23. Brad M. Barber & Terrance Odean, 2008. "All That Glitters: The Effect of Attention and News on the Buying Behavior of Individual and Institutional Investors," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 21(2), pages 785-818, April.
    24. Yizhi Wang & Brian Lucey & Samuel Alexandre Vigne & Larisa Yarovaya, 2022. "An index of cryptocurrency environmental attention (ICEA)," China Finance Review International, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 12(3), pages 378-414, January.
    25. Aamir Aijaz Syed & Farhan Ahmed & Muhammad Abdul Kamal & Assad Ullah & Jose Pedro Ramos-Requena, 2022. "Is There an Asymmetric Relationship between Economic Policy Uncertainty, Cryptocurrencies, and Global Green Bonds? Evidence from the United States of America," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-15, February.
    26. Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Nguyen, Thi Thu Ha & Karim, Sitara & Lucey, Brian M., 2023. "Extreme downside risk transmission between green cryptocurrencies and energy markets: The diversification benefits," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).
    27. Okorie, David Iheke & Lin, Boqiang, 2020. "Crude oil price and cryptocurrencies: Evidence of volatility connectedness and hedging strategy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    28. Habiba, Umme & Xinbang, Cao, 2023. "The contribution of different aspects of financial development to renewable energy consumption in E7 countries: The transition to a sustainable future," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 703-714.
    29. Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Karim, Sitara, 2021. "Tail dependence between bitcoin and green financial assets," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    30. Yousaf, Imran & Riaz, Yasir & Goodell, John W., 2023. "Energy cryptocurrencies: Assessing connectedness with other asset classes," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    31. Adele Parmentola & Antonella Petrillo & Ilaria Tutore & Fabio De Felice, 2022. "Is blockchain able to enhance environmental sustainability? A systematic review and research agenda from the perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 194-217, January.
    32. Wan, Daoxia & Xue, Rui & Linnenluecke, Martina & Tian, Jinfang & Shan, Yuli, 2021. "The impact of investor attention during COVID-19 on investment in clean energy versus fossil fuel firms," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    33. Ren, Boru & Lucey, Brian, 2022. "Do clean and dirty cryptocurrency markets herd differently?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB).
    34. Ali Khosravi & Fanni Säämäki, 2023. "Beyond Bitcoin: Evaluating Energy Consumption and Environmental Impact across Cryptocurrency Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-23, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Patel, Ritesh & Gubareva, Mariya & Chishti, Muhammad Zubair, 2024. "Assessing the connectedness between cryptocurrency environment attention index and green cryptos, energy cryptos, and green financial assets," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PA).
    2. Ghaemi Asl, Mahdi & Ben Jabeur, Sami & Ben Zaied, Younes, 2024. "Analyzing the interplay between eco-friendly and Islamic digital currencies and green investments," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    3. Abakah, Emmanuel Joel Aikins & Wali Ullah, GM & Adekoya, Oluwasegun B. & Osei Bonsu, Christiana & Abdullah, Mohammad, 2023. "Blockchain market and eco-friendly financial assets: Dynamic price correlation, connectedness and spillovers with portfolio implications," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 218-243.
    4. Kliber, Agata & Będowska-Sójka, Barbara, 2024. "Proof-of-work versus proof-of-stake coins as possible hedges against green and dirty energy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Sharif, Arshian & Brahim, Mariem & Dogan, Eyup & Tzeremes, Panayiotis, 2023. "Analysis of the spillover effects between green economy, clean and dirty cryptocurrencies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    6. Nasir, Rana Muhammad & He, Feng & Yousaf, Imran, 2025. "Relationship of green cryptocurrencies, energy tokens, centralized and decentralized exchange tokens with crypto policy uncertainty," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    7. Yu, Mengxia & Xu, Ke & Zheng, Xinwei, 2025. "Reprint of: Mimicking crypto portfolios in sustainable investment," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
    8. Jiang, Dongming & Jia, Fang & Han, Xiaoyu, 2025. "Quantile return and volatility spillovers and drivers among energy, electricity, and cryptocurrency markets," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    9. Khalfaoui, Rabeh & Mefteh-Wali, Salma & Dogan, Buhari & Ghosh, Sudeshna, 2023. "Extreme spillover effect of COVID-19 pandemic-related news and cryptocurrencies on green bond markets: A quantile connectedness analysis," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    10. Kamal, Javed Bin & Hassan, M. Kabir, 2022. "Asymmetric connectedness between cryptocurrency environment attention index and green assets," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    11. Bossman, Ahmed & Gubareva, Mariya & Agyei, Samuel Kwaku & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2024. "Time-frequency comovements between environmental cryptocurrency sentiment and faith-based sectoral stocks," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 699-719.
    12. Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Husain, Afzol & Bossman, Ahmed & Karim, Sitara, 2024. "Assessing the linkage of energy cryptocurrency with clean and dirty energy markets," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    13. Inzamam Ul Haq, 2023. "Time‐frequency comovement among green financial assets and cryptocurrency uncertainties," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 52(1), February.
    14. Ahmed, Walid M.A., 2024. "Attention to climate change and eco-friendly financial-asset prices: A quantile ARDL approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    15. Miklesh Prasad Yadav & Priyanka Tandon & Anurag Bhadur Singh & Adam Shore & Pali Gaur, 2025. "Exploring time and frequency linkages of green bond with renewable energy and crypto market," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 348(3), pages 1547-1572, May.
    16. Mbarek, Marouene & Msolli, Badreddine, 2025. "Tokens and cryptocurrencies: Evidence from asymmetric frequency connectedness approach," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(PA).
    17. Kun Guo & Yuxin Kang & Qiang Ji & Dayong Zhang, 2024. "Cryptocurrencies under climate shocks: a dynamic network analysis of extreme risk spillovers," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 10(1), pages 1-39, December.
    18. Ahmed, Mohamed Shaker & El-Masry, Ahmed A. & Al-Maghyereh, Aktham I. & Kumar, Satish, 2024. "Cryptocurrency volatility: A review, synthesis, and research agenda," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    19. Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Gul, Raazia & Farid, Saqib & Karim, Sitara & Lucey, Brian M., 2023. "Assessing linkages between alternative energy markets and cryptocurrencies," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 513-529.
    20. Hassan, M. Kabir & Hasan, Md. Bokhtiar & Halim, Zairihan Abdul & Maroney, Neal & Rashid, Md. Mamunur, 2022. "Exploring the dynamic spillover of cryptocurrency environmental attention across the commodities, green bonds, and environment-related stocks," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:99:y:2025:i:c:s1059056025002266. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/620165 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.