The cryptocurrency industry’s inaugural asset is experiencing one of the biggest downturns in its short history. Bitcoin has recently fallen to its lowest value in the last year-and-a-half. Having peaked at a value of $70,000 per Bitcoin in November 2021, almost $50,000 has been shaved off its value per Bitcoin in the last seven months. As of 15th June 2022, it has been trading at around $21,400 per Bitcoin. What’s happening and why is the Bitcoin crash causing a ripple effect throughout the rest of the crypto scene?
Crypto analysts believe the real-world problems of surging inflation and rising interest rates are having a knock-on effect on crypto values. With stock markets also threatening to enter a bear market, it’s possible that a big reason for the plunge in Bitcoin is that many investors in BTC have chosen to liquidate their positions and stockpile as much cash as possible as a safety net. Despite the difficult backdrop for Bitcoin right now, it’s still an asset that retailers are keen to accept and utilize as part of their cash flow.
In Canada, there are still plenty of businesses and merchants that accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as legitimate forms of payment. For example, in the newly regulated Canadian iGaming market, brands like Bodog make it possible for Bitcoin holders to play casino slots for real money, with deposits permitted in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, and USD Tether. Major Canadian gift card brands like Coincards and CoinGate also permit Bitcoin transactions in exchange for gift cards with the biggest names in retail and e-commerce, namely Amazon and Walmart.
In addition, online travel agents like Travala still accept Bitcoin, with discounts worth up to 40% available to those booking flights and trips with cryptocurrency.
Other crucial developments affecting Bitcoin
In recent days, two of the most prominent names in cryptocurrency trading and investing have experienced severe issues. Binance, the world’s most liquid cryptocurrency exchange, was forced to cease Bitcoin transactions for several hours. The platform attributed this hold-up to a “stuck transaction”, although many have since looked upon this excuse with skepticism.
Additionally, the collapse of decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Celsius has been a dagger in the heart of many in crypto circles. The “extreme market conditions” have raised serious question marks over Celsius’ long-term future, with its liquidity drying up fast. The firm takes cryptocurrency in exchange for annual yields on investor deposits, but if there’s no yield to back this up, the concept folds like a pack of cards.
Is it possible to anticipate a recovery for Bitcoin and crypto?
In truth, Bitcoin and all other cryptocurrencies are entering unchartered territory at present. Consumer and retail investor behaviours are changing as confidence in real-world economies diminish by the day. Analysts insist that extreme caution must be taken to enter the markets right now. With very little historical data to fall back on, the price of Bitcoin remains volatile.
Although there is a general feeling within the cryptocurrency community that a “pump” will return sooner or later, it’s going to take time for demand to outstrip supply once more.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was down more than 200 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the technology, base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets also fell.
The S&P/TSX composite index was down 239.24 points at 22,749.04.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 312.36 points at 40,443.39. The S&P 500 index was down 80.94 points at 5,422.47, while the Nasdaq composite was down 380.17 points at 16,747.49.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.80 cents US compared with 74.00 cents US on Thursday.
The October crude oil contract was down US$1.07 at US$68.08 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.26 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$2.10 at US$2,541.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was down four cents at US$4.10 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in technology, financial and energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also pushed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 171.41 points at 23,298.39.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 278.37 points at 41,369.79. The S&P 500 index was up 38.17 points at 5,630.35, while the Nasdaq composite was up 177.15 points at 17,733.18.
The Canadian dollar traded for 74.19 cents US compared with 74.23 cents US on Wednesday.
The October crude oil contract was up US$1.75 at US$76.27 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.10 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$18.70 at US$2,556.50 an ounce and the December copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.22 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2024.
The crypto market has recently experienced a significant downturn, mirroring broader risk asset sell-offs. Over the past week, Bitcoin’s price dropped by 24%, reaching $53,000, while Ethereum plummeted nearly a third to $2,340. Major altcoins also suffered, with Cardano down 27.7%, Solana 36.2%, Dogecoin 34.6%, XRP 23.1%, Shiba Inu 30.1%, and BNB 25.7%.
The severe downturn in the crypto market appears to be part of a broader flight to safety, triggered by disappointing economic data. A worse-than-expected unemployment report on Friday marked the beginning of a technical recession, as defined by the Sahm Rule. This rule identifies a recession when the three-month average unemployment rate rises by at least half a percentage point from its lowest point in the past year.
Friday’s figures met this threshold, signaling an abrupt economic downshift. Consequently, investors sought safer assets, leading to declines in major stock indices: the S&P 500 dropped 2%, the Nasdaq 2.5%, and the Dow 1.5%. This trend continued into Monday with further sell-offs overseas.
The crypto market’s rapid decline raises questions about its role as either a speculative asset or a hedge against inflation and recession. Despite hopes that crypto could act as a risk hedge, the recent crash suggests it remains a speculative investment.
Since the downturn, the crypto market has seen its largest three-day sell-off in nearly a year, losing over $500 billion in market value. According to CoinGlass data, this bloodbath wiped out more than $1 billion in leveraged positions within the last 24 hours, including $365 million in Bitcoin and $348 million in Ether.
Khushboo Khullar of Lightning Ventures, speaking to Bloomberg, argued that the crypto sell-off is part of a broader liquidity panic as traders rush to cover margin calls. Khullar views this as a temporary sell-off, presenting a potential buying opportunity.
Josh Gilbert, an eToro market analyst, supports Khullar’s perspective, suggesting that the expected Federal Reserve rate cuts could benefit crypto assets. “Crypto assets have sold off, but many investors will see an opportunity. We see Federal Reserve rate cuts, which are now likely to come sharper than expected, as hugely positive for crypto assets,” Gilbert told Coindesk.
Despite the recent volatility, crypto continues to make strides toward mainstream acceptance. Notably, Morgan Stanley will allow its advisors to offer Bitcoin ETFs starting Wednesday. This follows more than half a year after the introduction of the first Bitcoin ETF. The investment bank will enable over 15,000 of its financial advisors to sell BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC. This move is seen as a significant step toward the “mainstreamization” of crypto, given the lengthy regulatory and company processes in major investment banks.
The recent crypto market downturn highlights its volatility and the broader economic concerns affecting all risk assets. While some analysts see the current situation as a temporary sell-off and a buying opportunity, others caution against the speculative nature of crypto. As the market evolves, its role as a mainstream alternative asset continues to grow, marked by increasing institutional acceptance and new investment opportunities.
