The world of cryptocurrencies has been through a transformative journey in recent years, with regulatory bodies taking an increasingly active role in their oversight. Among the most recent developments has been the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing lawsuits against two of the largest crypto exchanges – Binance and Coinbase. This has created a significant impact on both the market and regional distribution of cryptocurrency wealth.
On-chain data from Glassnode suggests that the East has become a major absorber of the Bitcoin (BTC) outflows from the West over the past year, with the US’s supply dominance dropping by 11% since mid-2022. Meanwhile, supply in European markets has remained fairly neutral. The heavy regulatory actions in the West seem to be driving this major shift in crypto wealth, as the East becomes a haven for those seeking alternatives to the stricter regulations.
Not only has this change affected BTC, but also Tether (USDT), a popular stablecoin. According to Glassnode, “Tether has been more popular in countries where their own currency is not very strong, and it’s harder to get US dollars. Also, because the US has been making stricter rules for digital assets, people are moving their money to other places, especially in the east.”
This redistribution of cryptocurrency wealth comes at the same time as intense market volatility. BTC price fell to approximately $26,000, managing to hold above crucial support at $26,300. As a result, trading volume and market depth within Binance.US dropped by 70% after the SEC’s action. In a display of the increasing utility of cryptocurrencies, on-chain data from Santiment reveals that the number of unique BTC addresses interacting on the network surpassed 1 million in the past two days.
While some may argue that regulatory measures like those taken by the SEC in the West are necessary for the protection of investors and financial institutions, others say that these actions may be stifling innovation and driving off potential market participants. The ongoing shift in the distribution of cryptocurrency wealth between regions highlights this divide in perspective, as more investors seek refuge in Eastern markets with less stringent regulatory environments.
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulations and market conditions demonstrates an ongoing struggle between financial innovation and regulatory oversight. The conflict between the West’s increasingly heavy regulations and the East’s laxer approach has led to a vast movement of capital that has transformed the panorama of the crypto industry. It will be interesting to see how this develops further over time, as authorities and market participants continue to shape the future of this emerging financial ecosystem.
Source: Coingape
