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Arbitrage, contract design, and market structure in Bitcoin futures markets

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  • Riccardo De Blasis
  • Alexander Webb

Abstract

Perpetual futures, first proposed by Shiller (1993), have only seen wide use in cryptocurrency markets. We examine the contract design and market microstructure differences for the behavior of Bitcoin quarterly and perpetual futures prices and assess the implications for market participants and policymakers. We find perpetual futures exhibit multiple “u‐shaped” curves, seasonal effects, and opening effects despite lacking opening and closing hours. There is suggestive evidence of spillover effects between perpetual and quarterly futures contracts. We find quarterly futures offer cash‐and‐carry arbitrage opportunities, but similar to Hattori and Ishida (2021) these opportunities primarily exist during market dislocations.

Suggested Citation

  • Riccardo De Blasis & Alexander Webb, 2022. "Arbitrage, contract design, and market structure in Bitcoin futures markets," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(3), pages 492-524, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jfutmk:v:42:y:2022:i:3:p:492-524
    DOI: 10.1002/fut.22305
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    Cited by:

    1. Erdong Chen & Mengzhong Ma & Zixin Nie, 2024. "Perpetual future contracts in centralized and decentralized exchanges: Mechanism and traders’ behavior," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-36, December.
    2. Songrun He & Asaf Manela & Omri Ross & Victor von Wachter, 2022. "Fundamentals of Perpetual Futures," Papers 2212.06888, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2024.
    3. Shimeng Shi, 2022. "Bitcoin futures risk premia," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(12), pages 2190-2217, December.
    4. Erdong Chen & Mengzhong Ma & Zixin Nie, 2024. "Exploring the Impact: How Decentralized Exchange Designs Shape Traders' Behavior on Perpetual Future Contracts," Papers 2402.03953, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2024.
    5. Blasco, N. & Corredor, P. & Satrústegui, N., 2023. "Is there an expiration effect in the bitcoin market?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 647-663.
    6. Galati, Luca & Capalbo, Francesco, 2024. "Silicon Valley Bank bankruptcy and Stablecoins stability," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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