Dynamics, behaviours, and anomaly persistence in cryptocurrencies and equities surrounding COVID-19

TL;DR

This study compares the dynamics and anomaly persistence of cryptocurrencies and equities during COVID-19, revealing increased similarity during crises and contrasting behaviors in trajectories and anomaly persistence.

Contribution

Introduces new methodologies to analyze and compare the dynamics, behaviors, and anomaly persistence in cryptocurrencies and equities during the pandemic.

Findings

Cryptocurrencies show stronger collective dynamics and correlation.

Equities exhibit more similar trajectories and extreme behaviors.

Market anomalies persist longer in equities than in cryptocurrencies.

Abstract

This paper uses new and recently introduced methodologies to study the similarity in the dynamics and behaviours of cryptocurrencies and equities surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. We study two collections; 45 cryptocurrencies and 72 equities, both independently and in conjunction. First, we examine the evolution of cryptocurrency and equity market dynamics, with a particular focus on their change during the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate markedly more similar dynamics during times of crisis. Next, we apply recently introduced methods to contrast trajectories, erratic behaviours, and extreme values among the two multivariate time series. Finally, we introduce a new framework for determining the persistence of market anomalies over time. Surprisingly, we find that although cryptocurrencies exhibit stronger collective dynamics and correlation in all market conditions, equities behave more similarly in their trajectories, extremes, and show greater persistence in anomalies over time.