A note on the Bitcoin and Fed Funds rate

Abstract

This study examines the potential influence of the Federal Reserve policy on Bitcoin price dynamics. The empirical investigation is based on methodologies to quantify the influence of the Fed Funds rate on Bitcoin through linear, nonlinear, and spillover effects. It covers a set of six representative assets, including Bitcoin, Fed Funds rate, S&P 500, 10-year US Treasury Bond, USD/EUR, and Gold from January 2015 to February 2021. Evidence is provided that Fed Funds rates have nonlinear effects and temporarily strong spillover effects on Bitcoins.