Cryptocurrency has continued to make waves in the financial world, but according to a recent report by S&P Global, it remains responsive to the effects of macroeconomic changes despite being driven by technology and market sentiment. The report, titled “Are crypto markets correlated with macroeconomic factors?” delves deep into the connection between crypto markets and factors such as monetary policy, potential recession, and financial stress.
With increasing interest from institutional investors, the report suggests that the relationship between the cryptocurrency market and macroeconomic indicators may become stronger, aligning crypto markets more closely with traditional financial assets. Consequently, this could result in heightened contagion risks between traditional and crypto markets.
The potential impact of a recession on the crypto market also raises interesting questions. The authors of the study suggest that, depending on the specific drivers behind a recession, the effect on cryptocurrency assets could vary. Growing recessionary risk could weigh down on crypto assets if economic concerns dampen investors’ appetite for higher-risk assets. Conversely, if the recession is perceived to be a result of poor government policies, demand for crypto might increase due to its decentralized nature, offering a potential shelter from the effects of such policies.
Moreover, in scenarios where inflation or unsound government policies drive a recession, investors might find cryptocurrencies more appealing. This is largely because these digital assets are decentralized and driven by factors such as technology and market sentiment. In some countries where national currencies are unstable, the crypto market offers an alternative for preserving purchasing power, with a handful of countries even adopting crypto as legal tender.
The report also highlights instances where the crypto market has performed well during periods of expansionary monetary policies, although it stops short of establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It does, however, shed light on large swings in cryptocurrency valuations occurring in response to events unrelated to monetary policy, such as the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD.
In conclusion, while the cryptocurrency market has certainly carved out a unique position in the world of finance, it remains intrinsically linked to macroeconomic factors. As institutional investors increasingly consider crypto markets, the relationship between cryptocurrencies and traditional financial markets is likely to become more intertwined. This raises important questions about the future of both markets and the role of cryptocurrencies in global economies.
Source: Cryptonews
