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The impacts of futures trading on volatility and volatility asymmetry of Bitcoin returns

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  • Zhang, Chuanhai
  • Ma, Huan
  • Arkorful, Gideon Bruce
  • Peng, Zhe

Abstract

The impact of Bitcoin futures introduction on the underlying Bitcoin volatility has been a controversial topic. Conflicting results had been obtained from different sample periods and methodologies. To address this debate, this study examines the impact of futures trading on volatility and volatility asymmetry of Bitcoin returns in the short and long run. Using exponential GARCH models, we introduce a dummy in the variance equation to capture the changes in the volatility after the introduction of Bitcoin futures. We find that after the introduction, spot return volatility decreases in the short run, but increases in the long run. Besides, in the short run, there exists an inverse leverage effect before and after the introduction; in the long run, the inverse leverage effect before the introduction changes to a usual level effect after the introduction. Finally, we examine whether greater futures trading activity, proxied by trading volume and open interest, is associated with greater Bitcoin volatility. To do so, we decompose each proxy into expected and unexpected components and document that, in the long run, Bitcoin volatility covaries positively with unexpected futures trading volume, but negatively with unexpected futures open interest.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:86:y:2023:i:c:s1057521923000133
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2023.102497
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    2. Vassilios Babalos & Elie Bouri & Rangan Gupta, 2024. "Does the Introduction of US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Affect Spot Returns and Volatility of Major Cryptocurrencies?," Working Papers 202416, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    3. Monika Eisenbardt & Tomasz Eisenbardt, 2023. "Can Cryptocurrencies Be Feasibly Adopted as a National Currency? The Perspective of the Younger Generation," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 463-481.
    4. Apostolakis, George N., 2024. "Bitcoin price volatility transmission between spot and futures markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    5. Wang Gao & Jiajia Wei & Shixiong Yang, 2023. "The Asymmetric Effects of Extreme Climate Risk Perception on Coal Futures Return Dynamics: Evidence from Nonparametric Causality-In-Quantiles Tests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
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    7. Chen, Yan & Liu, Yakun & Zhang, Feipeng, 2024. "Coskewness and the short-term predictability for Bitcoin return," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bitcoin; Futures-trading activity; Volatility; Asymmetry; GARCH models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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