On December 26th, Bitcoin experienced a fresh decline in its price, with analysts attributing this weakness to seasonal trends.
Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView revealed that BTC/USD dropped to $42,200, marking a 2% decrease for the day and its lowest point in nearly a week.
Despite the holiday season, Bitcoin bulls did not witness a “Santa rally” or any positive surprises.
Trading resource Material Indicators commented on the recent Bitcoin price movements, stating that the final days of 2023 were expected to pose challenges for the cryptocurrency.
They noted that year-end profit-taking and tax loss harvesting would create headwinds for BTC bulls.
Material Indicators also highlighted the importance of Bitcoin’s 21-day simple moving average (MA), which stood at $43,115 at the time, slightly higher than the spot price. Co-founder Keith Alan emphasized the 21-day MA as a crucial support level in recent months.
Looking at the BTC/USDT order book liquidity on Binance, the largest global exchange, the mood remained pessimistic.
The order book showed bids as low as $37,000, and these lower bids had been increasing throughout the second half of December.
READ MORE: Mt. Gox Creditors Finally Receive Repayments for Long-Trapped Bitcoin Holdings
Popular trader Skew suggested that market participants were gearing up for further downside, with short positions positioning themselves for a potential break lower.
These short positions would be eager to see continued spot selling, or they might be forced to cover around the $43,000 mark.
While Bitcoin and Ethereum struggled, other major cryptocurrencies fared better as the year drew to a close.
Binance’s BNB and Solana’s SOL continued to demonstrate impressive weekly performances, with gains of 19.5% and 56.8%, respectively, over the past seven days. In contrast, ETH/USD only showed a 1.6% increase.
Solana, in particular, benefited from increased gas fees and airdrops, reaching nearly $126 on Christmas Day, its highest level since April 2022.
Some traders had been anticipating a shift in momentum from Bitcoin to altcoins, and Michaël van de Poppe, founder and CEO of trading firm MN Trading, noted a significant trend change in the overall altcoin market cap.
He suggested that the altcoin market capitalization was breaking out of a range that had persisted for over 500 days and predicted a potential 2x increase in Q1.
Grayscale, a prominent crypto asset manager, recently made an important regulatory move by submitting an amended S-3 filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This development coincided with the announcement of Barry Silbert’s resignation as the CEO of its parent company, Digital Currency Group (DCG), from Grayscale’s board of directors.
The timing of Silbert’s departure has raised speculation within the crypto market regarding its potential impact on Grayscale’s efforts to convert its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into a spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), a decision currently pending with the SEC.
Ramah Luwalia, CEO of Lumida Wealth, suggests that Silbert’s resignation may have been a strategic move to enhance the likelihood of the ETF’s approval.
This theory is partly rooted in the SEC’s ongoing investigation into Silbert and DCG.
Additionally, Adam Cochran, a partner at crypto venture capital firm Cinneamhain Ventures, posits that Silbert’s departure was likely a prearranged agreement between Grayscale and the SEC in anticipation of the conversion request gaining approval.
READ MORE: Bitcoin Hash Rate Hits All-Time High on Christmas Day
The official announcement of Silbert’s resignation was made in an 8-K filing to the SEC on December 26. Grayscale also revealed that Mark Shifke, DCG’s chief financial officer, would succeed Silbert as chairman of the board at Grayscale.
Aside from Silbert’s departure, the most noteworthy aspect of the amended S-3 filing was Grayscale’s shift toward a cash creation model, marking a departure from its previous in-kind model.
This change is significant as it addresses an ongoing point of contention between asset managers seeking to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF and the SEC.
In an in-kind model, fund market participants can directly handle the assets within the fund, while a cash-creation model allows new shares in a spot Bitcoin ETF to be created or redeemed exclusively through cash transactions.
The SEC’s move to restrict broker-dealers from directly dealing with Bitcoin aims to enhance monitoring and reduce potential risks related to anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer compliance.
Scott Johnsson, general partner at VB Capital, expressed concern that the cash creation model could introduce greater risks for investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin through a spot ETF.
This novel approach contrasts with other spot commodity ETFs that operate on an in-kind basis, raising questions about its viability in the regulatory landscape.
While Grayscale’s strategic moves are generating intrigue, the crypto community will closely monitor the SEC’s response and the potential implications for the broader market.
The Bitcoin network celebrated a historic milestone on Christmas Day, with its computing power, commonly referred to as the mining hash rate, reaching an all-time high.
On December 25, according to data from Blockchain.com, Bitcoin’s hash rate surged to an impressive 544 exahashes per second (EH/s).
This remarkable achievement was corroborated by Bitinfocharts, which recorded a consistent high hash rate throughout the weekend.
This surge in hash rate comes in the wake of an exceptional year for Bitcoin, during which network hash rates more than doubled, skyrocketing by an astounding 130% since the start of the year.
Remarkably, this increase in hash rate was closely mirrored by the asset’s price, which has surged by over 150% since January 1, 2023.
Will Clemente, co-founder of Reflexivity Research, reflected on this growth, highlighting the resilience of the Bitcoin network.
He noted that the China mining ban of summer 2021, which was perceived as a potential threat to the network’s security, has proven to be insignificant, stating, “Imagine fading the most secure decentralized open-source monetary network on the planet, couldn’t be me.”
However, this surge in hash rate isn’t all good news, especially for Bitcoin miners.
While high hash rates can theoretically support favorable price models like implied hash-adjusted price, they also mean that miners have to put in more effort to secure the next block.
READ MORE: Crypto Industry Poised for Explosive Growth as Analysts Predict Nearly One Billion Users by 2024
This additional effort comes at a time when profitability is under pressure.
Hash price, a key indicator of mining profitability, has been on the decline in the past week, primarily due to the cooling off of the BRC-20 ordinal inscription craze.
Currently, hash price stands at $0.09 per terahashes per second per day, as reported by HashrateIndex.
This marks a significant drop from its peak of $0.136/TH/s/day on December 17, 2023, reflecting a 34% decrease in profitability.
One of the reasons behind this fluctuation in hash price is the sporadic spikes in demand, leading to higher transaction fees, especially during recent inscription frenzies.
Glassnode analyst “Checkmatey” noted that Bitcoin mempools have been under sustained elevated fee pressure since February, with no complete clearing for almost a year.
The Bitcoin network’s ability to consistently break records in hash rate, despite challenges and fluctuations in profitability, underscores its resilience and strength as a decentralized and secure digital currency.
Network hash rates first surpassed the 500 EH/s milestone in late November, demonstrating the ongoing growth and adoption of Bitcoin.
The debtors of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX have unveiled a new legal strategy in their ongoing bankruptcy case, centering on the acquisition of the stock-clearing platform Embed.
In a recent filing dated December 22nd, submitted to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, these debtors disclosed that they have reached a tentative settlement agreement with the former CEO of FTX, Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, specifically regarding claims related to the Embed acquisition.
The controversial acquisition of Embed for $220 million, executed through FTX’s U.S. division in June 2022, raised eyebrows due to allegations that FTX conducted minimal due diligence before proceeding.
Legal representatives for FTX’s leadership have expressed concerns over the transaction.
However, the debtors have stated that the proposed settlement with Bankman-Fried is in the best interests of their estates, creditors, and stakeholders.
The agreement aims to recover 100% of the value granted to Bankman-Fried through simple agreements for future equity (SAFEs) issued by FTX US in 2022.
Under these agreements, Bankman-Fried was obligated to pay $160 million in exchange for future shares in a cryptocurrency hedge fund.
The proposed resolution seeks to ensure that all the value potentially owed to Bankman-Fried by FTX US is returned to the debtors.
READ MORE: Trader Predicts Crypto Downturn: Bitcoin and Ether Brace for ‘New Lows’
It’s important to note that this proposed agreement addresses only specific aspects of the bankruptcy case related to Embed and Bankman-Fried.
It does not encompass all the assets and complexities involved in the broader bankruptcy proceedings initiated by FTX in November 2022. Bankman-Fried’s subsequent conviction on seven felony charges in the United States has added complexity to the situation.
In a separate development on December 19th, FTX debtors announced their intention to consolidate assets with FTX Digital Markets, the Bahamian arm of the firm.
This move is part of their ongoing efforts to organize and distribute funds to customers and creditors as outlined in their proposed organizational plans.
As the bankruptcy case unfolds, it remains a matter of considerable interest in the cryptocurrency industry, with numerous stakeholders closely monitoring the outcome and its implications for the broader ecosystem.
Reports have emerged on social media suggesting that creditors of the now-defunct Bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox, have begun receiving fiat repayments for their long-trapped Bitcoin holdings.
These funds had been inaccessible since February 2014.
Reddit posts on the r/mtgoxinsolvency page indicate that Mt. Gox has been sending repayments denominated in Japanese Yen to users via PayPal, marking a remarkable development nearly a decade after the funds became locked on the exchange on February 24, 2014.
It should be noted that these reports are yet to be officially confirmed.
Reddit user Free-end254 excitedly claimed, “I just got paid,” sharing a screenshot of the email containing a PayPal payment receipt.
Another user expressed similar surprise, having initially suspected a phishing scam before finding a genuine payment in their PayPal account.
However, one user disclosed that only a portion of their 0.125 Bitcoin claim had been repaid, receiving 30,283 yen, equivalent to $200 at the current exchange rate, and still awaiting an approximate payment of $748.
READ MORE: Coinbase Strongly Denies Senator Warren’s Allegations of Regulatory Manipulation
Repayments to creditors are expected to be made in multiple installments, including the base repayment, early lump-sum repayment, and intermediate repayment.
The first instances of these repayments became public on December 21, when a pseudonymous Japanese user announced that they had received their Mt. Gox claims via a bank transfer, credited in Japanese Yen.
This development follows an email from Nobuaki Kobayashi, the trustee overseeing Mt. Gox’s estate, sent to rehabilitation creditors on November 21, notifying them of the commencement of repayments.
The email mentioned that the trustee intends to initiate cash repayments in 2023 and anticipates continuing the process into 2024.
However, no specific timeline for repayments to individual rehabilitation creditors was provided.
Notably, on September 21, the Mt. Gox Trustee extended the repayment deadline from October 31, 2023, to the same date in 2024.
Nevertheless, the trustee indicated that some repayments could be made “as early as the end of this year” for rehabilitation creditors who had already furnished the necessary information.
Cointelegraph reached out to Mt. Gox for comment but had not received an immediate response at the time of reporting.
The unfolding situation is being closely watched by creditors who have been awaiting the return of their long-frozen assets for years.
United States-approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are poised to make a seismic impact on the crypto-related ETF market, potentially eclipsing its current valuation of $50.3 billion in assets under management, as per recent findings from BitMEX research.
As the anticipation for SEC approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs builds, a comprehensive list of existing crypto-related exchange-traded products has been compiled.
This list encompasses both spot and futures funds, predominantly tracking the performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Leading the pack is Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust, which is actively pursuing conversion into a spot ETF.
Market experts are optimistic about the prospects of a spot Bitcoin ETF, with expectations that its approval, possibly as early as January 10th, could effectively double the capital invested in crypto ETPs.
Bitwise, a crypto investment fund, projects that spot Bitcoin ETFs have the potential to amass a staggering $72 billion in assets under management within the next five years, surpassing the current market size.
However, global fund manager Van Eck offers a more conservative estimate, predicting around $2.4 billion in inflows into spot Bitcoin products during the first quarter of 2024.
READ MORE: Bitcoin Holds Steady as Traders Anticipate Year-End Price Surge
Despite never gaining approval in the U.S., spot Bitcoin ETFs have already found a home in countries like Canada, Australia, and Germany, allowing investors to acquire shares in these ETFs.
The enthusiasm surrounding spot Bitcoin ETFs reflects a broader trend of institutional investment in crypto products over recent months.
A report from ETF research firm ETFGI, published on December 21st, disclosed that crypto ETFs worldwide had accumulated year-to-date net inflows of $1.6 billion, with a significant portion, $1.31 billion, flowing in during November alone.
This figure represents almost double the $750 million net inflows observed in crypto ETPs throughout 2022.
Out of the 150 crypto funds available, the top 20 ETFs have attracted the most substantial investments, totaling $1.3 billion throughout 2023.
Notably, the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO), launched during a crypto bull market in October 2021, stands out with the largest individual inflows, securing an additional $278.7 million in 2023.
In conclusion, the imminent approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States has the potential to reshape the landscape of crypto-related ETFs, potentially dwarfing the market’s existing valuation and solidifying the growing trend of institutional interest in cryptocurrency investments.
Despite the challenges faced by the cryptocurrency market in 2023, industry analysts are maintaining an optimistic outlook, with some even predicting that the number of crypto users will approach one billion by 2024.
Bitfinex, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, recently published a report indicating that by December 1, 2023, the global count of cryptocurrency owners had surged to 575 million, a significant increase from the 432 million recorded at the beginning of the same year.
Encouragingly, Bitfinex analysts suggested that this number could escalate even further, potentially reaching between 850 and 950 million.
Their projection hinges on the continuation of the current bullish market trends into 2024.
In their report, they stated, “Looking ahead to 2024, and contingent upon market conditions, we anticipate that the number of global cryptocurrency owners could escalate to between 850 and 950 million.
This projection underscores the increasing global interest in and acceptance of cryptocurrencies.”
READ MORE: Asset Management Firm Ikigai Sells $65 Million Claim in FTX Bankruptcy
Moreover, Bitfinex analysts pointed out that investment activities within the crypto space are also on the rise.
They emphasized the potential impact of the approval of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) on market growth, suggesting that it could surpass the expected inflows as indicated by market charts.
In a separate interview with CNBC on December 20, Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein added his voice to the chorus of optimism regarding cryptocurrency adoption.
He mentioned that the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF could significantly boost Bitcoin’s adoption, potentially opening the door to the vast U.S. “advise market,” which is valued at approximately $30 trillion.
Statista, a prominent statistics website, also has its own projections for the growth of the crypto user base.
According to Statista, the number of cryptocurrency users may surge to nearly 833 million by 2024 and could approach approximately 992 million by 2028.
These projections further underline the positive sentiment surrounding the future of cryptocurrencies and their adoption on a global scale.
In summary, despite the challenges faced by the cryptocurrency market in 2023, industry experts and analysts are expressing a high degree of optimism, foreseeing a significant expansion in the number of crypto users, driven by increasing interest and acceptance of cryptocurrencies worldwide.
According to the persistent trader known as Il Capo of Crypto, Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies may be headed for “new lows,” despite their remarkable gains this year.
Il Capo, who has maintained a $12,000 BTC price target throughout the year, recently declared the end of the current bull market in a December 22nd post on X (formerly Twitter).
While Bitcoin and Ether have surged by 163% and 92%, respectively, year-to-date, as reported by Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, Il Capo remains skeptical, predicting a looming collapse.
They suggest that BTC/USD is likely “forming a local top here at 40k–45k” and that Ethereum (ETH) could potentially drop to the 2500s, with some altcoins experiencing their final pumps before a reversal to new lows in the coming weeks.
Il Capo’s bearish outlook coincides with significant developments in Bitcoin’s history, notably the impending approval of the first Bitcoin spot price exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States.
Many consider this event a pivotal moment that could open the doors for institutional capital to flow into Bitcoin.
READ MORE: Solana Surges 18% in 24 Hours, Claims Fourth Spot in Cryptocurrency Market Capitalization
With a popular BTC price target of $48,000 associated with this decision expected by January 10, 2023, Il Capo’s skepticism seems to diverge from the overall bullish sentiment prevailing in the market.
In November, they already hinted at the “beginning of the end” and noted that prices were rising higher than anticipated, accompanied by extremely bullish sentiment.
Others also acknowledge the possibility of a significant correction, even in the event of a positive ETF confirmation, viewing it as a potentially healthy catalyst for the bull market.
Trading firm QCP Capital, in its final market update for 2023, speculated that a “sell the news” scenario could unfold in the second week of January, leading to topside resistance for BTC in the 45-48.5k region and a possible retracement to 36k levels before the uptrend resumes.
Despite short-term uncertainties, there is confidence that the upward trend in cryptocurrencies will eventually continue, especially as the market positions itself for a strong rally into the Bitcoin halving, albeit possibly after a few weeks of market adjustment.
As Il Capo of Crypto stands firm in their bearish perspective, the crypto community awaits the unfolding of these critical events to determine the market’s future direction.
Bitcoin remained within a tight trading range leading up to the weekly close on December 24, with a trader anticipating a potential breakout in the cryptocurrency’s price.
Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView revealed that BTC/USD exhibited predominantly sideways movement throughout the weekend, a trend that had started towards the end of the Wall Street trading week.
This price stability came as Bitcoin reacted to the final United States macroeconomic data of the year, resisting volatility.
Bitcoin’s value hovered around $43,500, prompting a well-known trader and analyst named Credible Crypto to express optimism about an impending upward movement.
According to Credible Crypto, the current flat trading phase signifies an accumulation period, making it an ideal time for investors.
He noted, “It really does not get much better than this,” and emphasized the possibility of a push towards $50,000.
Credible Crypto also highlighted several factors contributing to this bullish sentiment, including the tight accumulation range, decreasing aggregate open interest (which is considered healthy), active buying on Coinbase, and nearly reset funding rates.
All of these factors suggested that Bitcoin was well-positioned for its next upward move.
However, order book data for the BTC/USDT pair on the leading global exchange, Binance, indicated a key resistance level at just below $45,000, with approximately $92 million in ask liquidity.
This resistance level would need to be overcome for Bitcoin to make significant gains.
READ MORE: Bitcoin ETF Issuers Release Crypto Ads
On the other hand, Keith Alan, co-founder of Material Indicators, offered a contrasting perspective.
He suggested that holiday trading activity might not provide enough momentum for bulls to break through the resistance.
Alan pointed out that liquidity might shift, potentially making it easier for Bitcoin to move higher.
As the year-end approached, Bitcoin’s performance in December appeared fairly average, with month-to-date gains of approximately 16% as of December 23.
However, the quarterly performance was exceptional, at 62%, marking Bitcoin’s best quarterly performance since 2020.
Market analysts and experts continued to focus on Bitcoin’s price leading up to a significant event – the expected approval of the first U.S. Bitcoin spot price exchange-traded fund (ETF), scheduled for January 10, 2024.
Some speculate that this event could trigger a significant market reversal, potentially impacting Bitcoin’s price trajectory.
In the meantime, traders and investors remained watchful for any signs of movement in the cryptocurrency markets.
Coinbase, the prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has firmly refuted allegations made by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren concerning its purported use of former government officials to obstruct the development of digital asset regulations.
In a letter penned on December 22, Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, Faryar Shirzad, categorically dismissed Senator Warren’s claims while emphasizing the exchange’s unwavering commitment to promoting responsible regulatory measures within the crypto sector.
Shirzad unequivocally stated, “Your claim that Coinbase is attempting to undermine bipartisan legislation related to cryptocurrency is simply wrong.
“Your accusations are not only unfounded but a willful misrepresentation of our intentions and efforts.”
Furthermore, Coinbase defended its practice of recruiting individuals with government backgrounds, asserting that this initiative is part of a broader mission to safeguard the interests and security of cryptocurrency users in the United States.
The letter underscored the company’s pride in its team of national security experts who work diligently to protect Americans.
READ MORE: Asset Management Firm Ikigai Sells $65 Million Claim in FTX Bankruptcy
Senator Warren’s letter had implied that government officials might be strategically positioning themselves while in public service to secure lucrative lobbying positions within the digital asset industry, citing Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council as an example.
She contended that this “revolving door” practice was concerning and indicative of the crypto industry’s attempts to legitimize itself while obstructing essential regulations aimed at curbing illicit activities and terrorism financing through cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase’s recent expansion of its Global Advisory Council with four distinguished national security experts further fueled the controversy.
These experts include Mark Esper, the former U.S. secretary of defense; Stephanie Murphy, a former congressperson with national security expertise; Frances Townsend, who served as homeland security adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush; and David Urban, a former managing director of BRG Group.
The addition of these individuals has led to speculation that Coinbase intends to take a more strategic approach in addressing regulatory matters and security concerns within the crypto industry.
Coinbase remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible advocacy and denies any wrongdoing in its interactions with former government officials, emphasizing its dedication to fostering a safe and compliant cryptocurrency ecosystem in the United States.