Modelling volatility of cryptocurrencies using Markov-Switching GARCH models

Guglielmo Maria Caporale and Timur Zekokh

Research in International Business and Finance, 2019, vol. 48, issue C, 143-155

Abstract: This paper aims to select the best model or set of models for modelling volatility of the four most popular cryptocurrencies, i.e. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and Litecoin. More than 1000 GARCH models are fitted to the log returns of the exchange rates of each of these cryptocurrencies to estimate a one-step ahead prediction of Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES) on a rolling window basis. The best model or superior set of models is then chosen by backtesting VaR and ES as well as using a Model Confidence Set (MCS) procedure for their loss functions. The results imply that using standard GARCH models may yield incorrect VaR and ES predictions, and hence result in ineffective risk-management, portfolio optimisation, pricing of derivative securities etc. These could be improved by using instead the model specifications allowing for asymmetries and regime switching suggested by our analysis, from which both investors and regulators can benefit.

Keywords: Cryptocurrencies; Volatility; Markov-switching; GARCH (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C22 G12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (60)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Modelling Volatility of Cryptocurrencies Using Markov-Switching Garch Models (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:48:y:2019:i:c:p:143-155

DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2018.12.009

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