Emotions in the crypto market: Do photos really speak?

This study examines whether the emotions contained in new photos can affect the cryptocurrency market. Utilizing the daily data on top 100 cryptocurrencies, we find that the surge in ratio of photos comprising pessimistic tones is associated with negative coin returns. Photo sentiment positively predicts subsequent returns and trading intensity, implying the subsequent corrections. The photo sentiment also drives risks up with higher price volatilities. The predictive power is more pronounced during periods of elevated fear proxied by investors’ risk aversion. Our results remain robust with alternative sentiment proxies, risk-adjusted returns, and a battery of subsample analyses.