Historical Simulation
Historical Simulation is a method for estimating risk by applying past market data to a current portfolio to see how it would have performed. It does not assume that returns follow a specific mathematical distribution, making it useful for capturing the unique characteristics of crypto assets.
By looking at how the portfolio would have reacted to historical crashes or bull runs, traders can get a sense of their exposure to extreme events. This approach is intuitive and easy to explain, but it is limited by the fact that the future may not resemble the past.
In crypto, where market structure changes frequently due to protocol upgrades or regulatory shifts, historical simulation must be used with caution. It is a valuable tool for stress testing portfolios against known historical scenarios.