ETIKONOMI
Vol. 24 No. 2 (2025)

Bitcoin, Economic Freedom, and Underground Economies: A Tax Evasion Nexus

Bhutto, Niaz Ahmed (Unknown)
Nawaz, Allah Ditta (Unknown)
Khan, Shabeer (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Sep 2025

Abstract

Research Originality: Our research uniquely integrates the dimension of economic freedom to assess its moderating effect on tax evasion in G-7 countries. This study also provides the latest tax evasion estimates in G-7 countries using the currency demand approach to measure the effectiveness of policies employed by the regulators to reduce large numbers of tax evasion. Research Objectives: This study estimates tax evasion in G-7 countries and measures the impact of cryptocurrencies on tax evasion at different levels of economic freedom. Research Method: This study employs the Currency Demand Approach to estimate tax evasion and then utilizes asymmetric/symmetric panel techniques (ARDL/NARDL) to confirm the impact of cryptocurrencies and all indicators of economic freedom on tax evasion. Empirical Results: Our investigation unveils that cryptocurrencies significantly impact tax evasion. This study also finds economic freedom indicators' asymmetric/symmetric impact and confirms the moderating impact. Economic freedom indicators significantly increase/decrease the impact of cryptocurrencies on tax evasion. Implications: Cryptocurrencies may be given due importance while drafting tax-related policies, and policymakers must maintain the optimum levels of economic freedom where cryptocurrencies do not support tax evasion.  JEL Classification: H26, E42, O17, E26, C33

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Journal Info

Abbrev

etikonomi

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Etikonomi is a peer-reviewed journal on Economics, Business and Management by Faculty of Economic and Business State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. FOCUS This journal focused on economics, business, and management studies and present developments through the publication of ...