We establish that the risk-return tradeoff of cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum) is distinct from those of stocks, currencies, and precious metals. Cryptocurrencies have no exposure to most common stock market and macroeconomic factors or to the returns of currencies and...

We consider the performance of cryptocurrencies in the light of fundamental asset pricing and portfolio theory. We observe how a traditional focus on reducing asset return volatility with Markowitz diversification actually misses the significance of such volatility for growth. The recognition...

We employ a repertoire of machine learning models to explore the cross-sectional return predictability in cryptocurrency markets. While all methods generate substantial economic gains, those that account for nonlinearities and interactions fare the best. The return predictability derives mainly...

This paper studies the asset pricing implications of mining pools' concentration. We incorporate two features specific to cryptocurrencies into a traditional dynamic asset pricing model. First, we introduce the technological arms race between mining pools, and second, the interdependency between...

We examine the role of geopolitical risk in the cross-sectional pricing of cryptocurrencies. We calculate cryptocurrency exposure to changes in the geopolitical risk index and document that coins with the lowest geopolitical beta outperform those with high geopolitical beta. Our findings suggest...

In this study, we investigate the pricing of risks in the cross-section of cryptocurrency returns. In doing so, we decompose total variations into systematic and idiosyncratic components, as well as differentiate jumps from diffusive variations. We show that a hedged portfolio sorted on...

The rapid development of cryptocurrencies motivates us to examine the factors that drive cryptocurrency prices. Using Google attention innovation ($GAI$) to measure network hype or investor speculation, this paper investigates the effect of network hype in the cryptocurrency market and proposes...

We use high-frequency tick data to study stylized facts of the return and volatility dynamics of the nine most liquid cryptocurrencies. Factor structures exist in both returns and volatility, but the explanatory power from the common factor is much stronger for volatility. The factor structures...

We examine the relation between cryptocurrency returns and two blockchain characteristics, computing power and network size. We show that cryptocurrency prices are cointegrated with computing power and network. Further, cryptocurrency returns have positive and significant risk exposures to...

We start by documenting large differences in bitcoin prices across exchanges located in different countries, or for different fiat currency pairs. For the most reputable exchanges, and after carefully accounting for all the transaction costs and limitations to trade, we find that costly...