Cryptocurrency market development: Hurst method

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the pricing in the cryptocurrency market and applying cryptocurrencies by the Bank of Russia for its monetary policy. The research objectives are to identify the cyclical nature of price dynamics, to study market maturity and potential risks that have a long-term positive relationship with the financial stability of the cryptocurrency market. The author uses the Hurst method with the Amihud illiquidity measure to study the resistance of four cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple and Dash) and their evolution over the past five years. The study results in the author's conclusion that the cryptocurrency market has entered a new stage of development, which means a reduced possibility to have excess profits when investing in the most liquid cryptocurrencies in the future. However, buying new high-risk tools provides opportunities for speculative income. The author concludes that illiquid cryptocurrencies exhibit strong inverse anti-persistence in the form of a low Hurst exponent. A trend investing strategy may help obtain abnormal profits in the cryptocurrency market. The Bank of Russia could partially apply digital currency to implement monetary policy, which would soften the business cycle and control the inflation. If Russia accepts the law ''On Digital Financial Assets'' and legalizes cryptocurrencies after the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of Russia might act as a lender of last resort and offer crypto loans.