Dear colleagues,

Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and has been referred to as a blockchain-based currency, virtual money, cryptocurrency, safe haven, and store of value, among others. Bitcoin is also labelled the blockchain as an example of a functioning open, public distributed ledger.

Initially, Bitcoin was not traded on any exchange and had no market price. Ten years later, the value of Bitcoin has increased substantially, Bitcoin is traded on many exchanges, and the entire cryptocurrency market has broadened, including many alternatives to Bitcoin (“altcoins”).

This Special Issue aims to publish research analyzing the remarkable evolution of Bitcoin from the past to the present, current issues, and its potential future role in the financial and economic system. For example, will Bitcoin and the blockchain technology disrupt the financial system and lead to a democratization of finance?

We will collect papers addressing financial, economic and monetary questions on Bitcoin and its underlying technology blockchain. We are particularly interested in research on specific aspects of Bitcoin, including the evolution of bitcoin prices and returns over time, the relationship of Bitcoin with other assets, arbitrage across exchanges, behavioral aspects of bitcoin, the role of decentralization and trust, excess volatility and its implications for portfolio diversification, the economics of mining etc. The focus of this Special Issue is on financial and economic questions, but regulatory and philosophical research related to Bitcoin and the blockchain technology will also be considered.

We will also consider research presented at the 3rd UWA conference on Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and FinTech in 2020 (Perth, Australia) to be included in this Special Issue.

https://www.uwa.edu.au/able/schools/business-school/events/uwa-blockchain-conference

Prof. Dr. Dirk G. Baur
Guest Editor

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• Bitcoin
• Cryptocurrencies
• Blockchain
• Altcoins
• Distributed ledger technology (DLT)
• Decentralization
• Trust
• Digital assets
• Fundamental value
• Bubbles
• Arbitrage
• Excess volatility
• Correlation and volatility modelling
• Portfolio diversification