Month: September 2023

The U.S. SEC nears the deadline for the approval or rejection of the first ether ETF which, according to a report by K33 Research, could cause a considerable boost in ether’s price. Comparing it to the 60% gain bitcoin experienced upon the launch of its first futures-based ETF, the analyst suggests a favorable market impact. Despite the SEC’s delay and consequent dip in bitcoin’s fortune, aggressive accumulation is recommended due to long-term potential.

Despite Ethereum’s 31.3% price surge between March 10 and 18, there are concerns about the crypto’s ability to maintain this upward momentum. Rising bearish sentiment, decreases in key ETH price metrics, and negative market developments are troubling the ecosystem. There are fears over potential liquidation of some $4.8 billion ETH deposits held in the Grayscale Ethereum Trust, amid declining smart contract transactions and investor interest. Ethereum’s position is further pressured by its competitors like Visa integrating Solana blockchain and Coinbase planning to convert old versions of USDC to a new format.

“Staking in the crypto world is showing resilience amidst a challenging year, with a 292% surge in total value locked (TVL) for liquid staking protocols. Ethereum staking is recovering, especially due to the ‘Merge’ event that transitioned Ethereum to live staking platform. It’s compared with the ‘on-chain equivalent of government bonds’, promising a safer alternative than DeFi lenders.”

“While Bitcoin attempts to break its current trading range, the market volatility dwindles around $26,000. Doji patterns on the weekly chart suggest ambivalence regarding Bitcoin’s future trajectory. Altcoins like Toncoin, Chainlink, Maker, and Tezos show dynamic movements, suggesting potential breakout with volatility as the game’s name.”

Crypto-backed funds saw minor outflows of $11.2 million last week, led by altcoin, particularly MATIC-backed funds. Despite ETH funds and short-Bitcoin funds also recording withdrawals, BTC funds had inflows totaling $3.8 million. Overall, despite market fluctuations, crypto investment products have a year-to-date inflow.

“Liquid staking protocols, particularly Lido, have seen a massive rise recently despite an overall downturn in the DeFi industry. The popularity of liquid staking, driven by regulatory pressures and attractive yield returns, suggests a potential shift within the DeFi ecosystem.”

“Bitcoin’s current market capitalization stands at a colossal $500.6 billion. Despite a minor dip, its status still reigns at the top. However, forecasts warn of potential hurdles ahead, possibly pushing Bitcoin into a bearish disposition, unless significant resistances are overcome.”

“An ominous Bitcoin price metric that previously resulted in a -25% FTX crash is repeating, centred around the BTC rate of $25,726. Market spectators prepare for a possible drop to $23,000. The Short to Long-Term Realized Value (SLRV) ratio indicates potential sales growth in ‘older’ Bitcoins, urging caution among investors. Meanwhile, stablecoin Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) now supports smooth transitions to Base and Optimism networks.”

Following Bitcoin’s recent dip to $25,700, market uncertainty pervades, driven by SEC’s delay of other Bitcoin ETF applications like BlackRock and Fidelity. Factors such as decreasing trading volume, multi-year lows in Google search trends, and record low volatility point towards a prevailing indifferent attitude. Nevertheless, with Solana’s SOL token rising and Visa’s initiative to expand settlement capabilities on blockchain, optimism still persists in crypto space.

Coinbase has increased its debt repurchase initiative to $180 million indicating financial strength, despite reporting a net loss of $430 million in Q1 2022. Meanwhile, Visa expands its support for USDC settlements on Solana blockchain, potentially revolutionizing cross-border transactions despite potential risks.

“Tether, one of the world’s leading buyers of US Treasury bills, has increased its holdings to $72.5 billion. Despite the complexities expansion brings, this represents the growing mainstream acceptance of digital currencies and their incorporation into the traditional financial world.”