Is the Energy-Hungry Bitcoin Beneficial for Portfolio Risk Reduction?

Abstract

Beginning from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, crypto assets have intensely been in the spotlight and have attracted significant investor attention. By being the first blockchain product, Bitcoin is the first crypto asset and still dominates the entire crypto market capitalization. In this study, we shed light on whether this energy-hungry crypto asset is an effective tool for portfolio volatility reduction from the perspective of the Modern Portfolio Theory. Based on a two-year period from April 2019 to April 2021, which includes the extreme impacts (crash and rally) of the pandemic on markets, we conclude that Bitcoin is not a beneficial instrument for volatility reduction if short-selling is not allowed. After removing this restriction, Bitcoin has very small negative investment weights in minimum variance portfolios. In other words, short-selling Bitcoin slightly reduces portfolio volatility.

Citation

Arık, Y.D. and Ertuğrul, M. (2022), "Is the Energy-Hungry Bitcoin Beneficial for Portfolio Risk Reduction?", Dinçer, H. and Yüksel, S. (Ed.) Multidimensional Strategic Outlook on Global Competitive Energy Economics and Finance, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 153-163. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-898-320221017