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“Shiny” crypto assets: A systemic look at gold-backed cryptocurrencies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Akanksha Jalan

    (ESC [Rennes] - ESC Rennes School of Business)

  • Roman Matkovskyy

    (ESC [Rennes] - ESC Rennes School of Business)

  • Larisa Yarovaya

    (SBS - Southampton Business School)

Abstract

In this paper, we empirically analyse the performance of five gold-backed stablecoins during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them to gold, Bitcoin and Tether. In the digital assets' ecosystem, gold-backed cryptocurrencies have the potential to address regulatory and policy concerns by decreasing volatility of cryptocurrency prices and facilitating broader cryptocurrency adoption. We find that during the COVID-19 pandemic, gold-backed cryptocurrencies were susceptible to volatility transmitted from gold markets. Our results indicate that for the selected gold-backed cryptocurrencies, their volatility, and as a consequence, risks associated with volatility, remained comparable to the Bitcoin. In addition, gold-backed cryptocurrencies did not show safe-haven potential comparable to their underlying precious metal, gold.

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  • Akanksha Jalan & Roman Matkovskyy & Larisa Yarovaya, 2021. "“Shiny” crypto assets: A systemic look at gold-backed cryptocurrencies during the COVID-19 pandemic," Post-Print hal-03512893, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03512893
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2021.101958
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://rennes-sb.hal.science/hal-03512893
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    Cited by:

    1. Assaf, Ata & Bhandari, Avishek & Charif, Husni & Demir, Ender, 2022. "Multivariate long memory structure in the cryptocurrency market: The impact of COVID-19," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Sruthy Madhavan & S. Sreejith, 2022. "A Comparative Analysis on the Role and Market Linkages of Gold Backed Assets During COVID-19 Pandemic," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business (continues Analele Stiintifice), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 69(3), pages 417-433, August.
    3. Cevik, Emrah Ismail & Gunay, Samet & Zafar, Muhammad Wasif & Destek, Mehmet Akif & Bugan, Mehmet Fatih & Tuna, Fatih, 2022. "The impact of digital finance on the natural resource market: Evidence from DeFi, oil, and gold," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    4. Jalan, Akanksha & Matkovskyy, Roman & Potì, Valerio, 2022. "Shall the winning last? A study of recent bubbles and persistence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    5. Zarifhonarvar, Ali, 2022. "The Effect of Covid Pandemic on Cryptocurrency Markets; A Literature Review," EconStor Preprints 266369, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    6. Katsiampa, Paraskevi & Yarovaya, Larisa & Zięba, Damian, 2022. "High-frequency connectedness between Bitcoin and other top-traded crypto assets during the COVID-19 crisis," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
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    9. Ren, Boru & Lucey, Brian, 2022. "A clean, green haven?—Examining the relationship between clean energy, clean and dirty cryptocurrencies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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