Did cryptocurrencies exhibit log-periodic power law signature during the second wave of COVID-19?

ABSTRACT

Many studies have associated cryptocurrencies with bubbles, especially during stressed market conditions such as the recent outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19. Although the majority of studies have focused on Bitcoin, we investigate the predictability of bubble formation in the cryptocurrency market by using the log-periodic power law and we uncover some important stylized facts of this market. Our sample consists of data for a selection of 15 cryptocurrencies for the period between 1 January 2021 and 1 September 2021 which coincides with the second wave of COVID-19. We analyse 86 speculative bubbles, and we find that the cryptocurrency market has three times higher drawdown over equities during stressed market conditions. © 2022 Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA.