A Primer on Blockchain Technology and Its Potential for Financial Inclusion
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Peer Co-Movement in Crypto Markets
Peer Co-Movement in Crypto Markets G. Schwenkler and H. Zheng∗ February 4, 2021y Abstract We show that peer linkages induce significant price co-movement in crypto markets in excess of common risk factors and correlated demand shocks. When large abnormal return shocks hit one crypto, its peers experience unusually large abnormal returns of the opposite sign. These effects are primarily concentrated among smaller peers and revert after several weeks, resulting in predictable returns. We develop trading strategies that exploit this rever- sal, and show that they are profitable even after accounting for trading fees and frictions. We establish our results by identifying crypto peers through co-mentions in online news using novel natural language processing technologies. Keywords: Cryptocurrencies, peers, co-movement, competition, natural language pro- cessing. JEL codes: G12, G14, C82. ∗Schwenkler is at the Department of Finance, Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business. Zheng is at the Department of Finance, Boston University Questrom School of Business. Schwenkler is corresponding author. Email: [email protected], web: http://www.gustavo-schwenkler.com. yThis is a revision of a previous paper by the two authors called \Competition or Contagion: Evidence from Cryptocurrency Markets." We are grateful to Jawad Addoum (discussant), Daniele Bianchi (discussant), Will Cong, Tony Cookson, Sanjiv Das, Seoyoung Kim, Andreas Neuhierl, Farzad Saidi, and Antoinette Schoar, seminar participants at Boston University and the Society for Financial Econometrics, and the participants at the 2020 Finance in the Cloud III Virtual Conference, the 2020 MFA Annual Meeting, the 3rd UWA Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and FinTech Conference, and the 2020 INFORMS Annual Meeting for useful comments and suggestions. -
ACS Blockchain 2030
April 2019 Blockchain 2030 A Look at the Future of Blockchain in Australia Report prepared by Alexandra Bratanova, Dinesh Devaraj, Joanna Horton, Claire Naughtin, Ben Kloester, Kelly Trinh, Ingo Weber and David Dawson CITATION Bratanova, A., Devaraj, D., Horton, J., Naughtin, C., Kloester, B., Trinh, K., Weber, I., Dawson, D. (2019) Blockchain 2030: A Look at the Future of Blockchain in Australia. CSIRO Data61: Brisbane, Australia. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful for the many individuals who kindly offered their time, expertise and resources in this project. In particular, we thank the members of CSIRO’s Data61 who kindly provided blockchain use cases for this report. We also thank the individuals who participated in the stakeholder workshop and interviews conducted as part of this project, as well as to the reviewers of the report draft including ACS Blockchain Committee members. Special thanks to Neil Alexander, Kevin Brown, Karen Cohen, Katrina Donaghy, Vincent Gramoli, Robert Hanson, Davor Miskulin, Mick Motion- Wise and Mark Staples for their constructive feedback on the draft report. We also thank Burning Glass Technologies for their assistance in navigating the online job advertisement data. Finally, we are grateful to Melissa Johnston and Dmitry Bratanov from Queensland University of Technology for their help with the design and 3D printing of the scenario model. CURRENCY CONVERSION All dollar values indicate AUD figures unless specified otherwise. AUD figures were converted from other currencies wherever it was methodologically sound to do so. Past and present conversions were done using a yearly average exchange rate for the relevant year, whereas forecast value conversions were done using 2018’s average exchange rate since November 2017. -
Realizing the Potential of Blockchain Technologies in Genomics
Downloaded from genome.cshlp.org on September 29, 2021 - Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Perspective Realizing the potential of blockchain technologies in genomics Halil Ibrahim Ozercan,1 Atalay Mert Ileri,2 Erman Ayday,1 and Can Alkan1 1Department of Computer Engineering, Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey; 2Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Genomics data introduce a substantial computational burden as well as data privacy and ownership issues. Data sets generated by high-throughput sequencing platforms require immense amounts of computational resources to align to reference ge- nomes and to call and annotate genomic variants. This problem is even more pronounced if reanalysis is needed for new ver- sions of reference genomes, which may impose high loads to existing computational infrastructures. Additionally, after the compute-intensive analyses are completed, the results are either kept in centralized repositories with access control, or dis- tributed among stakeholders using standard file transfer protocols. This imposes two main problems: (1) Centralized servers become gatekeepers of the data, essentially acting as an unnecessary mediator between the actual data owners and data users; and (2) servers may create single points of failure both in terms of service availability and data privacy. Therefore, there is a need for secure and decentralized platforms for data distribution with user-level data governance. A new technology, block- chain, may help ameliorate some of these problems. In broad terms, the blockchain technology enables decentralized, im- mutable, incorruptible public ledgers. In this Perspective, we aim to introduce current developments toward using blockchain to address several problems in omics, and to provide an outlook of possible future implications of the blockchain technology to life sciences. -
Beauty Is Not in the Eye of the Beholder
Insight Consumer and Wealth Management Digital Assets: Beauty Is Not in the Eye of the Beholder Parsing the Beauty from the Beast. Investment Strategy Group | June 2021 Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani Chief Investment Officer Investment Strategy Group Goldman Sachs The co-authors give special thanks to: Farshid Asl Managing Director Matheus Dibo Shahz Khatri Vice President Vice President Brett Nelson Managing Director Michael Murdoch Vice President Jakub Duda Shep Moore-Berg Harm Zebregs Vice President Vice President Vice President Shivani Gupta Analyst Oussama Fatri Yousra Zerouali Vice President Analyst ISG material represents the views of ISG in Consumer and Wealth Management (“CWM”) of GS. It is not financial research or a product of GS Global Investment Research (“GIR”) and may vary significantly from those expressed by individual portfolio management teams within CWM, or other groups at Goldman Sachs. 2021 INSIGHT Dear Clients, There has been enormous change in the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology since we first wrote about it in 2017. The number of cryptocurrencies has increased from about 2,000, with a market capitalization of over $200 billion in late 2017, to over 8,000, with a market capitalization of about $1.6 trillion. For context, the market capitalization of global equities is about $110 trillion, that of the S&P 500 stocks is $35 trillion and that of US Treasuries is $22 trillion. Reported trading volume in cryptocurrencies, as represented by the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, has increased sixfold, from an estimated $6.8 billion per day in late 2017 to $48.6 billion per day in May 2021.1 This data is based on what is called “clean data” from Coin Metrics; the total reported trading volume is significantly higher, but much of it is artificially inflated.2,3 For context, trading volume on US equity exchanges doubled over the same period. -
PWC and Elwood
2020 Crypto Hedge Fund Report Contents Introduction to Crypto Hedge Fund Report 3 Key Takeaways 4 Survey Data 5 Investment Data 6 Strategy Insights 6 Market Analysis 7 Assets Under Management (AuM) 8 Fund performance 9 Fees 10 Cryptocurrencies 11 Derivatives and Leverage 12 Non-Investment Data 13 Team Expertise 13 Custody and Counterparty Risk 15 Governance 16 Valuation and Fund Administration 16 Liquidity and Lock-ups 17 Legal and Regulatory 18 Tax 19 Survey Respondents 20 About PwC & Elwood 21 Introduction to Crypto Hedge Fund report In this report we provide an overview of the global crypto hedge fund landscape and offer insights into both quantitative elements (such as liquidity terms, trading of cryptocurrencies and performance) and qualitative aspects, such as best practice with respect to custody and governance. By sharing these insights with the broader crypto industry, our goal is to encourage the adoption of sound practices by market participants as the ecosystem matures. The data contained in this report comes from research that was conducted in Q1 2020 across the largest global crypto hedge funds by assets under management (AuM). This report specifically focuses on crypto hedge funds and excludes data from crypto index/tracking/passive funds and crypto venture capital funds. 3 | 2020 Crypto Hedge Fund Report Key Takeaways: Size of the Market and AuM: Performance and Fees: • We estimate that the total AuM of crypto hedge funds • The median crypto hedge fund returned +30% in 2019 (vs - globally increased to over US$2 billion in 2019 from US$1 46% in 2018). billion the previous year. -
State of the Art: the Monero Cryptocurrency Mining Malware Detection Using Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms
International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering State of the art: The monero cryptocurrency mining malware detection using supervised machine learning algorithms Wilfridus Bambang Triadi Handaya1*, Mohd Najwadi Yusoff 2, Aman Jantan2 1 Department of Informatics, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia 2 School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia ABSTRACT Today’s evolving information technology trend is fuelling increasingly various cybercrime. Various cybercrime types, such as malware attacks and data breach activities, organizations, and countries, occur every day. Malware is one of the biggest cyber threats on the Internet today. Every year, the number of data breaches continues to increase. Mining is a complete cryptocurrency network’s computing process to verify transaction records, called blockchains, and receive digital coins in return. This mining process requires severe hardware and significant CPU resources to create cryptocurrencies. A statistic published by Statista in mid-2020 about the most detected crypto-mining malware types influencing corporate networks global from January to June 2020, it can be seen that cryptocurrency mining activity leading to the pool of Monero amounts to 46% derived from the use of XMRig. Malware detection is like an endless war between malware authors and malware prevention vendors. This trend change also makes the procedures and forms of analysis must adapt. From previously done manually with various tools for static analysis, to be OPEN ACCESS subsequently replaced with automatic analysis through the application of machine learning algorithms. Received: October 9, 2020 Revised: December 20, 2020 Keywords: Malware detection, XMRig, Monero, Cryptocurrencies, Mining. Accepted: January 6, 2021 Corresponding Author: Wilfridus Bambang Triadi Handaya 1. -
A Study on Governance for Decentralized Finance Systems Using Blockchain Technologies
A Study on Governance for Decentralized Finance Systems Using Blockchain Technologies Keio Research Institute at SFC May 22nd, 2020 Table of Contents BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ..................................................................... 2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................................ 2 SUMMARY OF THE STUDY .............................................................................................................. 3 1. RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF MULTI-STAKEHOLDER GOVERNANCE ON THE INTERNET (IMSG) ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.1. THE INTERNET, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE PROCESS OF ITS GOVERNANCE ........................... 6 1.2. COMMUNITIES AND THEIR CHALLENGES FROM AN INTERNET GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE .... 22 1.2.1. ICANN ................................................................................................................... 22 1.2.2. IGF ........................................................................................................................ 53 1.2.3. Internet Society ..................................................................................................... 58 1.2.4. IETF ...................................................................................................................... 62 1.2.5. W3C ..................................................................................................................... -
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulation
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulation Third Edition Contributing Editor: Josias N. Dewey Global Legal Insights Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulation 2021, Third Edition Contributing Editor: Josias N. Dewey Published by Global Legal Group GLOBAL LEGAL INSIGHTS – BLOCKCHAIN & CRYPTOCURRENCY REGULATION 2021, THIRD EDITION Contributing Editor Josias N. Dewey, Holland & Knight LLP Head of Production Suzie Levy Senior Editor Sam Friend Sub Editor Megan Hylton Consulting Group Publisher Rory Smith Chief Media Officer Fraser Allan We are extremely grateful for all contributions to this edition. Special thanks are reserved for Josias N. Dewey of Holland & Knight LLP for all of his assistance. Published by Global Legal Group Ltd. 59 Tanner Street, London SE1 3PL, United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 367 0720 / URL: www.glgroup.co.uk Copyright © 2020 Global Legal Group Ltd. All rights reserved No photocopying ISBN 978-1-83918-077-4 ISSN 2631-2999 This publication is for general information purposes only. It does not purport to provide comprehensive full legal or other advice. Global Legal Group Ltd. and the contributors accept no responsibility for losses that may arise from reliance upon information contained in this publication. This publication is intended to give an indication of legal issues upon which you may need advice. Full legal advice should be taken from a qualified professional when dealing with specific situations. The information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication. Printed and bound by TJ International, Trecerus Industrial Estate, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8RW October 2020 PREFACE nother year has passed and virtual currency and other blockchain-based digital assets continue to attract the attention of policymakers across the globe. -
NEO Market Report Summary
NEO Market Analysis NEO Market Report Summary NEO, frequently nicknamed within the cryptocurrency community as The One, Chinese Ethereum or Ethereum ‘‘killer’’, is a blockchain platform that implements digital assets, dApps and smart contracts, and tries to solve some scalability and regulatory issues of its competitors. With strong partnerships and support from the Asian cryptocurrency community, NEO is one of the most promising currencies in the crypto-assets space, with the ambitious goal of becoming the main “smart economy” of the world during the next few years. “A word to the wise. All cryptocurrencies, including NEO, are still largely considered to be in the experimental stage and as such should be treated as high risk assets. In any investment account, high risk assets should only represent a small portion of your overall portfolio. That said, we hope you enjoy this market analysis. Feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback.” eToro: @MatiGreenspan | Twitter: @MatiGreenspan | LinkedIn: MatiGreenspan NEO Market Analysis History Technical Description NEO was introduced in 2014 under the Ethereum changed the whole name Antshares by China-based company cryptocurrency sphere by introducing a new Onchain, a blockchain-specialized company layer when compared to Bitcoin by founded in 2014 by Da Hongfei and Erik developing a platform where smart Zhang. Two crowdsales in late 2015 contracts and other tokens and ICOs can be provided the founding for the project. On developed. On Ethereum, smart contracts these crowdsales, 17.5 million and 22.5 are written using special programming million NEO were sold for $550,000 and languages like Solidity. -
Blockchain: a Journey To…..Where?
Debevoise In Depth Blockchain: A Journey to…..Where? May 17 2018 Bitcoin—Birth of Blockchain1 On October 31, 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto made an announcement on the Cryptography Mailing List at metzdowd.com that “I’ve been working on a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party” and posted a white paper on www.bitcoin.org.2 The same author mined the genesis block of 50 Bitcoins on January 3, 20093 and released the Bitcoin software as an open source code on January 9, 2009.4 All these took place rather unceremoniously. So started an obsession with blockchain. The blockchain technology that underpins Bitcoin solved the problem that had long vexed the digital currency world—the “double spend” problem. A digital currency is represented in a digital file, which can be duplicated or falsified. How can we prevent an owner of a unit of digital currency from spending the same unit more than once without validation by a trusteed third party?5 The Bitcoin blockchain solved that problem by having network participants validate each Bitcoin transaction and thus having the network reach consensus.6 The Bitcoin platform thus started a “trustless” ledger system. In less than a decade, the world has witnessed an increasing fascination with blockchain in many corners of society from the academia to corporate boardrooms to government offices and, occasionally but most importantly, to cartoons in newspapers.7 Despite government crackdowns in some countries, we are still seeing a conveyer belt 1 This is largely based on the script of a key note address given at the Accounting Meeting of the 33rd Annual General Meeting of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association on April 24, 2018. -
Coinbase Explores Crypto ETF (9/6) Coinbase Spoke to Asset Manager Blackrock About Creating a Crypto ETF, Business Insider Reports
Crypto Week in Review (9/1-9/7) Goldman Sachs CFO Denies Crypto Strategy Shift (9/6) GS CFO Marty Chavez addressed claims from an unsubstantiated report earlier this week that the firm may be delaying previous plans to open a crypto trading desk, calling the report “fake news”. Coinbase Explores Crypto ETF (9/6) Coinbase spoke to asset manager BlackRock about creating a crypto ETF, Business Insider reports. While the current status of the discussions is unclear, BlackRock is said to have “no interest in being a crypto fund issuer,” and SEC approval in the near term remains uncertain. Looking ahead, the Wednesday confirmation of Trump nominee Elad Roisman has the potential to tip the scales towards a more favorable cryptoasset approach. Twitter CEO Comments on Blockchain (9/5) Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, speaking in a congressional hearing, indicated that blockchain technology could prove useful for “distributed trust and distributed enforcement.” The platform, given its struggles with how best to address fraud, harassment, and other misuse, could be a prime testing ground for decentralized identity solutions. Ripio Facilitates Peer-to-Peer Loans (9/5) Ripio began to facilitate blockchain powered peer-to-peer loans, available to wallet users in Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. The loans, which utilize the Ripple Credit Network (RCN) token, are funded in RCN and dispensed to users in fiat through a network of local partners. Since all details of the loan and payments are recorded on the Ethereum blockchain, the solution could contribute to wider access to credit for the unbanked. IBM’s Payment Protocol Out of Beta (9/4) Blockchain World Wire, a global blockchain based payments network by IBM, is out of beta, CoinDesk reports. -
A Survey on Volatility Fluctuations in the Decentralized Cryptocurrency Financial Assets
Journal of Risk and Financial Management Review A Survey on Volatility Fluctuations in the Decentralized Cryptocurrency Financial Assets Nikolaos A. Kyriazis Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, 38333 Volos, Greece; [email protected] Abstract: This study is an integrated survey of GARCH methodologies applications on 67 empirical papers that focus on cryptocurrencies. More sophisticated GARCH models are found to better explain the fluctuations in the volatility of cryptocurrencies. The main characteristics and the optimal approaches for modeling returns and volatility of cryptocurrencies are under scrutiny. Moreover, emphasis is placed on interconnectedness and hedging and/or diversifying abilities, measurement of profit-making and risk, efficiency and herding behavior. This leads to fruitful results and sheds light on a broad spectrum of aspects. In-depth analysis is provided of the speculative character of digital currencies and the possibility of improvement of the risk–return trade-off in investors’ portfolios. Overall, it is found that the inclusion of Bitcoin in portfolios with conventional assets could significantly improve the risk–return trade-off of investors’ decisions. Results on whether Bitcoin resembles gold are split. The same is true about whether Bitcoins volatility presents larger reactions to positive or negative shocks. Cryptocurrency markets are found not to be efficient. This study provides a roadmap for researchers and investors as well as authorities. Keywords: decentralized cryptocurrency; Bitcoin; survey; volatility modelling Citation: Kyriazis, Nikolaos A. 2021. A Survey on Volatility Fluctuations in the Decentralized Cryptocurrency Financial Assets. Journal of Risk and 1. Introduction Financial Management 14: 293. The continuing evolution of cryptocurrency markets and exchanges during the last few https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm years has aroused sparkling interest amid academic researchers, monetary policymakers, 14070293 regulators, investors and the financial press.