On the Value of Virtual Currencies

This paper develops an economic framework to analyze the exchange rate of virtual currency. Three components are important. First, the actual use of virtual currency to make payments. Second, the decision of forward-looking investors to buy virtual currency (thereby effectively regulating its supply). Third, the elements that jointly drive future consumer adoption and merchant acceptance of virtual currency. The model predicts that, as virtual currency becomes more established, the exchange rate becomes less sensitive to the impact of shocks to speculators' beliefs. This undermines the notion that excessive exchange rate volatility will prohibit widespread usage of virtual currency.

Keywords: Virtual currencies, exchange rates, payment systems, speculation, bitcoin, blockchain, cryptocurrencies

JEL Classification: E42, E51, F31, G1

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Bolt, Wilko and van Oordt, Maarten R.C., On the Value of Virtual Currencies (April 20, 2016). Bank of Canada Working Paper No. 2016-42, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2767609 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2767609