Multivariate long memory structure in the cryptocurrency markets: The impact of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we study the long memory behavior of Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Monero, and Dash with a focus on the COVID-19 period. Initially, we apply a time-varying Lifting method to estimate the Hurst exponent for each cryptocurrency. Then we test for a change in persistence over time. To model the multivariate connectivity, the wavelet-based multivariate long memory approach proposed by Achard and Gannaz (2016) is implemented. Our results indicate a change in the long-range dependence for the majority of cryptocurrencies, with a noticeable downward trend in persistence after the 2017 bubble and then a dramatic drop after the outbreak of COVID-19. The drop in persistence after COVID-19 is further illustrated by the Fractal connectivity matrix obtained from the Wavelet long-memory model. Our findings provide important implications regarding the evolution of market efficiency in the cryptocurrency market and the associated fractal structure and dynamics of the crypto prices over time.