COVID-19 vaccine confidence index and economic uncertainty indices: empirical evidence from the payment-based system cryptocurrency market
International Journal of Social Economics
ISSN: 0306-8293
Article publication date: 15 February 2024
Issue publication date: 1 October 2024
Abstract
Purpose
We investigated the association of COVID-19 indicators and economic uncertainty indices on payment-based system cryptocurrency (i.e. Bitcoin, Ripple and Dogecoin) returns.
Design/methodology/approach
We used an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for panel data and performed robustness checks by utilizing a random effect model (REM) and generalized method of moments (GMM). There are 25 most adopted cryptocurrency’s countries and the data spans from 22 March 2021 to 6 May 2022.
Findings
This research discovered four findings: (1) the index of COVID-19 vaccine confidence (VCI) recovers the economic and Bitcoin has become more attractive, causing investors to shift their investment from Dogecoin to Bitcoin. However, the VCI was revealed to be insignificant to Ripple; (2) during uncertain times, Bitcoin could perform as a diversifier, while Ripple could behave as a diversifier, safe haven or hedge. Meanwhile, the movement of Dogecoin prices tended to be influenced by public figures’ actions; (3) public opinion on Twitter and government policy changes regarding COVID-19 and economy had a crucial role in investment decision making; and (4) the COVID-19 variants revealed insignificant results to payment-based system cryptocurrency returns.
Originality/value
This study contributed to verifying the vaccine confidence index effect on payment-based system cryptocurrency returns. Also, we further investigated the uncertainty indicators impacting on cryptocurrency returns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, we utilized the COVID-19 variants as a cryptocurrency returns’ new determinant.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge and thank the editor and anonymous reviewers for their invaluable insight, suggestion and comments to enhance the quality of this manuscript.
Citation
Havidz, S.A.H., Anastasia, E.V., Patricia, N.S. and Diana, P. (2024), "COVID-19 vaccine confidence index and economic uncertainty indices: empirical evidence from the payment-based system cryptocurrency market", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 51 No. 11, pp. 1370-1387. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0392
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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