Abstract
The anonymity of Bitcoin prevents analysis of its users. We collect Google Trends data to examine determinants of interest in Bitcoin. Based on anecdotal evidence regarding Bitcoin users, we construct proxies for four possible clientele: computer programming enthusiasts, speculative investors, Libertarians and criminals. Computer programming and illegal activity search terms are positively correlated with Bitcoin interest, while Libertarian and investment terms are not.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1030-1036 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Applied Economics Letters |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 Taylor & Francis.
Keywords
- Bitcoin
- Google search data
- Libertarians
- digital currency
- illegal activity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics and Econometrics