On the hedge and safe-haven abilities of bitcoin and gold against blue economy and green finance assets during global crises: Evidence from the DCC, ADCC and GO-GARCH models

Abstract

This paper investigates the diversification, hedging, and safe-haven capabilities of Bitcoin and gold against blue economy and green finance assets using three different MGARCH models (DCC, ADCC, and GO-GARCH) during adverse events such as the COVID-19 health crisis and the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict. Blue economy assets, which refer to sectors that sustainably utilize ocean resources, are a key focus alongside green finance assets. The findings reveal that during crises, Bitcoin demonstrates robust safe-haven characteristics, particularly against blue economy assets like BJLE and OCEN. Conversely, gold exhibits pronounced safe-haven properties against specific blue economy and green finance assets such as BJLE and FAN. The GO-GARCH model highlights gold's strong diversification and safe-haven roles, especially against BJLE. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is more effective as a diversifier for PIO. Moreover, the GO-GARCH model consistently outperforms the DCC and ADCC models in terms of hedging effectiveness, showing that gold is the preferred hedging instrument for GNR and TAN, while Bitcoin is more effective for other blue and green assets. The results underscore the distinct roles of Bitcoin and gold in portfolio management strategies, offering insights for investors navigating market uncertainties in the context of sustainable investments.