Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, and Economic Policy Uncertainty: A Favar Analysis

Abstract

We study the interactions between cryptocurrencies, stocks, and U.S. economic policy uncertainty (EPU) using a Factor-Augmented Vector Autoregressive framework, in which return comovements within each asset market are modeled by a single common factor. We document a greater heterogeneity across cryptocurrencies than stocks, with market fragmentation by functional characteristics of the projects. Through structural impulse-response analysis, we find that: (1) Stock returns positively respond to crypto shocks, but not vice versa; (2) Cryptocurrencies can be used to hedge against U.S. EPU, but display safe-haven characteristics against Chinese EPU. We interpret these results in light of recent crypto investment and pricing models.

Keywords: Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, Financial Markets, Macroeconomic Shocks, FAVAR.