In light of the increasing investor interest in cryptocurrencies (CR) as alternative financial assets in financial markets, we sought to examine the connection between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and cryptocurrencies. To do so, monthly data for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (THT) from January 2021 to April 2023 were employed. We utilized quantile regression and Granger causality analysis to investigate the relationship between EPU and cryptocurrencies. The initial results of this study suggest that EPU has little effect on the cryptocurrency market in the short-term. To enhance the strength and validity of these findings, we performed separate evaluations tailored to the unique contexts of the United States and China. The results revealed that the effects of EPU were adverse and statistically insignificant for China, while the situation differed slightly for the United States. Given that the United States has the most developed economy, its policies have a significant influence globally. As a result, cryptocurrencies have the potential to serve as efficient hedging tools. Furthermore, we incorporated nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) analysis to assess the asymmetric impact of EPU on cryptocurrencies by adopting both short-term and long-term perspectives. The outcomes demonstrated that both Bitcoin and Ethereum can serve as hedging tools in the short-term, although this utility diminishes in the long-term. Conversely, Tether displayed a positive association with EPU in the long-term. The findings of this study hold significance for policy-makers, offering valuable insights related to structuring efficient policies. The recommendations include fostering a rational framework for active participation from various stakeholders, including investors, governmental bodies, central banks, stock exchanges, and financial institutions. This collaborative effort aims to mitigate irrational fluctuations and enhance the acceptability of cryptocurrencies. In essence, this research underscores the potential of cryptocurrencies as a secure hedge against short-term EPU. However, we caution against assuming that any single cryptocurrency can consistently serve as a dependable investment haven.

A growing number of countries are concerned about the reliability of environmental indicators; as a result, there is a pressing need to find ways to improve ecological welfare on a global scale. This study investigates the dynamic linkages among CO₂ emissions, AI, economic policy uncertainty (EPU), and renewable energy consumption. To analyze these relationships empirically, this study used panel data for East Asian and Pacific countries from 2000 to 2023. This study used fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLSs), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLSs), Hausman fixed effects (FEs) and random effects (REs), the generalized method of moments (GMM), and variance decomposition tests. This study’s results show that AI has a positive relationship with CO₂ emissions in terms of the benchmark regression, while it shows minimal impact on CO₂ emissions according to the variance decomposition test. Similarly, economic policy uncertainty shows a strong positive relationship with CO₂ emissions through benchmark regression FEs and REs, GMM, and the variance decomposition test. An increase in EPU will positively affect CO₂ emissions. Renewable energy consumption has a strong negative impact on CO₂ emissions in East Asian and Pacific countries. These findings reveal that a unit increase in renewable energy consumption will decrease CO₂ emissions. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that policy certainty and an upsurge in renewable energy consumption are essential for environmental upgrading. In contrast, adopting AI has no robust effect on ecological degradation (CO₂ emissions). East Asian and Pacific countries need to focus on the adoption of renewables, as well as the control of economic policy uncertainty. While AI in East Asian and Pacific countries is still in the initial stage of adoption, policy formation is essential to overcome the possible carbon footprint of AI in the short term.

Among the various major issues, food insecurity is one with which Pakistan has to encounter with. According to a report by WFP (2017), about sixty percent of the population in Pakistan is food insecure, access to food is limited or uneven, and malnutrition is widespread. Having an emerging geopolitical prestige, it is expected that through CPEC, Pakistan can get a better foundation of infrastructural -and agricultural economic zones in collaboration with Chinese counterparts which may further support to perk up the food security. Accordingly, the study tries to examine the impact of various CPEC initiatives on food security of Pakistan. The data is randomly collected from stakeholders working in various government sector organizations of Pakistan. The results show that CPEC initiatives would tend to improve the food security status in Pakistan. The research may suggest that developing countries like Pakistan may use economic corridors such as CPEC as a strategic tool to improve the food security situation.