Crypto-exchanges and Credit Risk: Modelling and Forecasting the Probability of Closure

Fantazzini, Dean and Calabrese, Raffaella (2021): Crypto-exchanges and Credit Risk: Modelling and Forecasting the Probability of Closure. Published in: Journal of Risk and Financial Management , Vol. 11, No. 14 (2021)

Abstract

While there is an increasing interest in crypto-assets, the credit risk of these exchanges is still relatively unexplored. To fill this gap, we consider a unique data set on 144 exchanges active from the first quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2021. We analyze the determinants of the decision of closing an exchange using credit scoring and machine learning techniques. The cybersecurity grades, having a public developer team, the age of the exchange, and the number of available traded cryptocurrencies are the main significant covariates across different model specifications. Both in-sample and out-of-sample analyses confirm these findings. These results are robust to the inclusion of additional variables considering the country of registration of these exchanges and whether they are centralized or decentralized.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Exchange; Bitcoin; Crypto-assets; Crypto-currencies; Credit risk; Bankruptcy; Default Probability
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C2 - Single Equation Models ; Single Variables > C21 - Cross-Sectional Models ; Spatial Models ; Treatment Effect Models ; Quantile Regressions; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models ; Multiple Variables > C35 - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models ; Discrete Regressors ; Proportions; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C5 - Econometric Modeling > C51 - Model Construction and Estimation; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C5 - Econometric Modeling > C53 - Forecasting and Prediction Methods ; Simulation Methods; G - Financial Economics > G2 - Financial Institutions and Services > G23 - Non-bank Financial Institutions ; Financial Instruments ; Institutional Investors; G - Financial Economics > G3 - Corporate Finance and Governance > G32 - Financing Policy ; Financial Risk and Risk Management ; Capital and Ownership Structure ; Value of Firms ; Goodwill; G - Financial Economics > G3 - Corporate Finance and Governance > G33 - Bankruptcy ; Liquidation

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