The mutual predictability of Bitcoin and web search dynamics

Economic theory predicts the price dynamics of an unbacked asset to be inherently unforecastable. The same applies to exchange rates of unbacked currencies. Albeit, empirically investors are found to be driven by online and offline news media. This study analyzes the Bitcoin cryptocurrency price series and web search queries with regard to their mutual predictability and cause‐effect delay structure. Chinese Baidu engine searches and compounded Baidu–Google search statistics predict Bitcoin price dynamics at relatively high frequencies ranging from 2 to 5 months. In the other direction, Granger‐causality runs from the cryptocurrency price to queries statistics across nearly all frequencies. In both directions, the reaction time computed from a phase delay measure for the relevant frequency bands with significant causality ranges from about 1 to 4 months. For either direction, out‐of‐sample forecasts are more accurate than forecasts of a benchmark stochastic process. Bivariate models including the Baidu Search Index slightly outperform competing models that include a Baidu–Google composite index. Predictive power seems less diluted if the September 2017 trade regulations by the Chinese government are controlled for.