ESG equities and Bitcoin: responsible investment and risk management perspective

Abstract

Purpose

While an increasing number of investors value socially responsible investment practices, Bitcoin has faced criticism for its carbon footprint resulting from excessive mining power consumption. By examining Bitcoin’s interconnectedness with environmental, social and governance (ESG) equities, this study aims to construct a socially responsible investment strategy for cypto investors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses wavelet analysis and a time-varying parameter vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) model to uncover the interdependence between ESG equities and Bitcoin. This study computes the optimal ratio, showing that Bitcoin significantly reduces portfolio risk when combined with green stocks.

Findings

The results show that co-movements between green stocks and Bitcoin are low, indicating that they are suitable combinations for portfolio diversification. From an environmental perspective, this investment strategy offers a theoretical solution to mitigate the negative impacts associated with Bitcoin mining. It aims to address the dilemma faced by sustainability-conscious investors, who must navigate the economic payoff of Bitcoin against their commitment to green investment principles.

Practical implications

The findings can provide valuable insights for policymakers seeking to develop strategies that promote sustainable investments among crypto investors.

Originality/value

Research on ethical investment practices in the cryptocurrency market remains in the early stages of development. Ethical investors can benefit from including Bitcoin in their ESG equity portfolios.

Citation

Kakinuma, Y. (2023), "ESG equities and Bitcoin: responsible investment and risk management perspective", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-03-2023-0049