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On the nature and financial performance of bitcoin

Author

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  • Elise Alfieri
  • Radu Burlacu
  • Geoffroy Enjolras

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to provide some insights on the true nature of bitcoin and to study empirically its performance by using robust models, widely used in the academic literature. Previous studies assess performance with simple measures such as the Sharpe ratio. Such measures are insufficient because they do not take into account the bitcoin’s specificities, such as the possibilities to diversify risk. Design/methodology/approach - The authors use quantitative methodologies to assess the performance of financial assets. Performance is defined as a risk-adjusted return. The authors use regression analysis and measure bitcoin’s performance as the constant term (α) of the projection of its returns on the returns of relevant factors of risk. Findings - Bitcoin has low correlation with the market index and with factor-mimicking portfolios, which indicates opportunities to diversify risk. The performance of bitcoin (α) is positive and significant; this result is robust across period and world region specifications. Research limitations/implications - The true nature of bitcoin is subject of debate and needs further research. Furthermore, other factors should be considered in analysing the bitcoin’s performance, such as those related to investors’ behaviour or political risk. Practical implications - The empirical results obtained in this paper may be used by professional portfolio managers to diversify risk and to enhance their portfolio’s performance. Originality/value - This paper adds to the literature by arguing that bitcoin has the nature of common stock, and therefore, its performance has to be assessed with models that are relevant for this type of securities. This paper is the first using performance models that adjust returns for relevant sources of risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Elise Alfieri & Radu Burlacu & Geoffroy Enjolras, 2019. "On the nature and financial performance of bitcoin," Journal of Risk Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 20(2), pages 114-137, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jrfpps:jrf-03-2018-0035
    DOI: 10.1108/JRF-03-2018-0035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ahmed, Walid M.A., 2020. "Is there a risk-return trade-off in cryptocurrency markets? The case of Bitcoin," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    3. Marco Bellucci & Damiano Cesa Bianchi & Giacomo Manetti, 2021. "A literature review on blockchain in accounting research," Working Papers - Business wp2021_04.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    4. Mohammad Alqudah & Luis Ferruz & Emilio Martín & Hanan Qudah & Firas Hamdan, 2023. "The Sustainability of Investing in Cryptocurrencies: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Chokor, Ahmad & Alfieri, Elise, 2021. "Long and short-term impacts of regulation in the cryptocurrency market," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 157-173.
    6. Élise Alfieri & Yann Ferrat, 2022. "The larger compensation for miners, the higher positive effect on the financial performance of cryptocurrencies [Une meilleure rémunération des mineurs : un effet positif sur la performance financi," Post-Print hal-03670074, HAL.
    7. Ahmed, Walid M.A., 2021. "Stock market reactions to upside and downside volatility of Bitcoin: A quantile analysis," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    8. Linn Arnell & Emma Engström & Gazi Salah Uddin & Md. Bokhtiar Hasan & Sang Hoon Kang, 2023. "Volatility spillovers, structural breaks and uncertainty in technology sector markets," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-31, December.

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