IMPACT OF CRYPTOCURRENCY ON TRADITIONAL FIAT CURRENCY IN NIGERIA.

Student: Okwuchukwu Cletus Ekwe
Supervisor: Mrs Hildah Nevoh
Co-Supervisor: Dr Anthony Orji
HOD: Dr Ifeoma Mba
Department of Economics
Social sciences
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of cryptocurrency on traditional fiat currency in Nigeria, focusing on the relationship between cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes, and the value of the Nigerian Naira (NGN). In recent years, the adoption of cryptocurrencies has surged, raising questions about their influence on established monetary systems. Utilizing quarterly data from Q1 2010 to Q4 2023, the research employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze the long-term and short-term dynamics between the variables. The study begins by assessing the stationarity of the data using the Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) unit root test, which confirms that the variables are stationary at levels and first differences. Following this, the ARDL bounds test is conducted to evaluate potential cointegration, revealing a significant long-run relationship among the variables. The findings indicate that cryptocurrency trading significantly impacts the value of fiat money in Nigeria. Specifically, while an increase in cryptocurrency prices correlates positively with the value of the Naira, higher trading volumes are associated with a negative relationship, attributed to liquidity challenges in the foreign exchange market. Moreover, the Granger causality test results show no significant causal relationship between the variables, suggesting that fluctuations in cryptocurrency prices and volumes do not predict changes in fiat money value. This absence of causality underscores the limited integration of cryptocurrency and traditional monetary systems in Nigeria. The study concludes that while cryptocurrencies present alternative investment avenues, they do not yet serve as effective substitutes for fiat currency. Consequently, recommendations for policymakers include the need for regulatory frameworks to monitor cryptocurrency activities and their implications on traditional financial systems, ensuring a balanced approach to innovation and economic stability.

Full-Text Access Notice

In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication. During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.

Request authorisation from the author