Virtual Currency, Tangible Return: Portfolio Diversification with Bitcoins

Marie Briere, Kim Oosterlinck and Ariane Szafarz

Post-Print CEB, 2015, vol. 16, issue 6, 365-373

Abstract: Bitcoin (BTC) is a major virtual currency. Using weekly data over the 2010-2013 period, we analyze a BTC investment from the standpoint of a US investor with a diversified portfolio including both traditional assets (worldwide stocks, bonds, hard currencies) and alternative investments (commodities, hedge funds, real estate). Over the period under consideration, BTC investment had highly distinctive features, including exceptionally high average return and volatility. Its correlation with other assets was remarkably low. Spanning tests confirm that BTC investment offers significant diversification benefits. We show that the inclusion of even a small proportion of BTCs may dramatically improve the risk-return trade-off of well-diversified portfolios. Results should however be taken with caution as the data may reflect early-stage behavior that may not last in the medium or long run.

Keywords: Bitcoin; diversification; return; risk; virtual currency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
Note: SCOPUS: re.j
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (266)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Virtual Currency, Tangible Return: Portfolio Diversification with Bitcoin (2015)
Working Paper: Virtual Currency, Tangible Return: Portfolio Diversification with Bitcoins (2015)
Working Paper: Virtual Currency, Tangible Return: Portfolio Diversification with Bitcoin (2013)
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