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Cryptocurrencies and Capital Flows: Evidence from El Salvador’s Adoption of Bitcoin

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  • Goldbach, Stefan
  • Nitsch, Volker

Abstract

This paper explores a monetary experiment, the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador in 2021, to analyze the impact of digital currencies on international capital flows. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that, instead of making transfers easier, El Salvador’s official cross-border financial activity has decreased after the monetary change. This finding may reflect an increase in uncertainty. However, it is also in line with findings that link digital assets to illegal activity as previously officially recorded financial transfers may have been replaced by unrecorded activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Goldbach, Stefan & Nitsch, Volker, 2024. "Cryptocurrencies and Capital Flows: Evidence from El Salvador’s Adoption of Bitcoin," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 149484, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    • Handle: RePEc:dar:wpaper:149484
    Note: for complete metadata visit http://tubiblio.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/149484/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eugenio Cerutti & Stijn Claessens & Andrew K. Rose, 2019. "How Important is the Global Financial Cycle? Evidence from Capital Flows," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 67(1), pages 24-60, March.
    2. Ahir, Hites & Bloom, Nicholas & Furceri, Davide, 2022. "The world uncertainty index," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117833, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Sean Foley & Jonathan R Karlsen & Tālis J Putniņš, 2019. "Sex, Drugs, and Bitcoin: How Much Illegal Activity Is Financed through Cryptocurrencies?," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 32(5), pages 1798-1853.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • F38 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Financial Policy: Financial Transactions Tax; Capital Controls

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