Risk Patterns in Crypto: Pandemic's Unexpected Shift

Ever thought about how risks move around in the cryptocurrency market? Before the pandemic, it was like a steady dance, with some risks getting absorbed and others gently echoing. But when the pandemic came, everything changed – it became a wild, fast-paced dance. Researchers studied this change using a unique method called the asymmetric breakpoint approach. They found that during the pandemic, risks weren’t just jumping between cryptocurrencies, but also leaping from other markets like crude oil. This made the impact of the pandemic on cryptocurrencies even more significant.Imagine you’re at a big party. The more people you know, the faster news can spread. Similarly, the more cryptocurrencies are connected, the quicker risks can spread. During the pandemic, with everyone chatting and sharing news non-stop, risks flew around faster and reached further. Interestingly, other financial markets, like stocks and bonds, didn’t get swept up in the chaos. They were like the popular crowd, keeping to themselves and staying out of the drama. So, what’s the takeaway? Just like you’d up your hand-washing game during a health crisis, this study offers ways to manage risk spreads better. This could help make the cryptocurrency market stronger and more stable.