How persistent and dynamic inter-dependent are pricing of Bitcoin to other cryptocurrencies before and after 2017/18 crash?

The present paper investigates persistence and inter-dependence of bitcoin on other popular alternative coins. We employ fractional integration approach in our analysis of persistence, while a more recent fractional cointegration technique in VAR set-up, proposed by Johansen (2008), is used to investigate inter-dependence in pricing of the paired cryptocurrencies. Having partitioned the series into periods before and after the 2017/2018 cryptocurrency price crash, as determined by Bitcoin pricing, we obtain some interesting results. Higher persistence of price shocks is observed after the crash, which is probably due to speculative transactions among cryptocurrency traders, and more evidences of non-mean reversions are revealed, implying chances of further price fall in cryptocurrencies. Cointegration relationships between bitcoin and alternative coins exist in both periods, with weak correlations observed mostly in the post-crash period. Our results further indicate the possibility of market efficiency between pair of cryptocurrency. Generally, we hope the findings will serve as guide to investors in cryptocurrency markets. •Bitcoin is highly priced and highly capitalized.•Prices of other cryptocurrencies are cointegrated with that of Bitcoin.•Cryptocurrency markets are more efficient after the 2017/2018 price crash.•Volatility persistence of cryptocurrency is higher after the 2017/2018 crash.