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The Introduction of Bitcoin Futures: An Examination of Volatility and Potential Spillover Effects

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin M. Blau

    (Utah State University)

  • Ryan J. Whitby

    (Utah State University)

Abstract

Theory in Stein (1987) suggests that introducing derivative contracts, such as futures, can destabilize underlying asset prices if the contracts attract enough speculative traders. This paper examines how the introduction of Bitcoin futures influences the underlying Bitcoin market. Consistent with Stein (1987), we find that that Bitcoin's volatility increases significantly during the post-introduction period. Perhaps more importantly, however, we observe significant spillover effects into related markets. For instance, in other cryptocurrencies, the increase in volatility in these markets is greater than the post-introduction increase in Bitcoin.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin M. Blau & Ryan J. Whitby, 2019. "The Introduction of Bitcoin Futures: An Examination of Volatility and Potential Spillover Effects," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 39(2), pages 1030-1038.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-18-00848
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lyócsa, Štefan & Molnár, Peter & Plíhal, Tomáš & Širaňová, Mária, 2020. "Impact of macroeconomic news, regulation and hacking exchange markets on the volatility of bitcoin," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    2. Zhang, Chuanhai & Ma, Huan & Liao, Xiaosai, 2023. "Futures trading activity and the jump risk of spot market: Evidence from the bitcoin market," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Blau, Benjamin M. & Griffith, Todd G. & Whitby, Ryan J., 2021. "Inflation and Bitcoin: A descriptive time-series analysis," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    4. Shynkevich, Andrei, 2021. "Bitcoin arbitrage," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    5. Aharon, David Y. & Butt, Hassan Anjum & Jaffri, Ali & Nichols, Brian, 2023. "Asymmetric volatility in the cryptocurrency market: New evidence from models with structural breaks," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    6. Zhang, Chuanhai & Chen, Haicui & Peng, Zhe, 2022. "Does Bitcoin futures trading reduce the normal and jump volatility in the spot market? Evidence from GARCH-jump models," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB).
    7. Bouteska, Ahmed & Harasheh, Murad, 2023. "Bitcoin volatility and the introduction of bitcoin futures: A portfolio construction approach," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    8. Zhang, Chuanhai & Ma, Huan & Arkorful, Gideon Bruce & Peng, Zhe, 2023. "The impacts of futures trading on volatility and volatility asymmetry of Bitcoin returns," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bitcoin Futures; Cryptocurrencies; Volatility; Bitcoin; Digital Currency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance

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