Bitcoin (BTC) Retail Participation Drops But Institutions Contribute to Supply Squeeze

Bhushan Akolkar
February 17, 2024
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Bitcoin Price at Risk of Volatility Amid Fed Rate Uncertainty

Highlights

  • New Bitcoin Addresses see a drop during the recent Bitcoin price rally.
  • Bitcoin whales on massive buying spree scooping 100,000 Bitcoins.
  • Bitcoin miners can contribute to some selling pressure as we approach the next halving.

The Bitcoin (BTC) price has given double-digit gains over the past week amid massive inflows registered by the spot Bitcoin ETFs. On Friday, BTC surged all the way to $53,000 and has been now settling down somewhere to $52,000. However, it seems that this week’s BTC price rally is largely due to institutions scooping up large supplies.

Bitcoin (BTC) Retail Participation Drops

Noted crypto analyst Ali Martinez has highlighted an intriguing correlation between the rising price of Bitcoin and a decline in the daily creation of new Bitcoin addresses. The crypto analyst notes that this indicates the drop in retail participation during the ongoing Bitcoin rally.

The crypto analyst adds that the current uptrend in Bitcoin’s price may be predominantly driven by institutional demand. As we know, most of it is coming in the form of major inflows to the spot Bitcoin ETF.

Courtesy: Ali Martinez

Martinez’s insights shed light on the evolving landscape of Bitcoin adoption, indicating a potential reconfiguration of market dynamics as institutional interest takes center stage.

On Friday, Ali Martinez also stated that Bitcoin whales have accumulated a massive 100,000 Bitcoins worth a staggering $5 billion.

ETF Inflows Cause Supply Shortage, But Liquidity Is Improving

Contrary to expectations of a supply shortage due to heightened demand from US spot Bitcoin ETFs, liquidity in the cryptocurrency market has actually improved since their introduction.

Bitcoin proponents like MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor and Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss have suggested that the pent-up demand from these newly launched funds is ten times the BTC production by miners. This surge in demand has contributed to Bitcoin’s over 20% rally this year. However, market data indicates that there is a surplus of tokens circulating within the market.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Michael Safai, co-founder at quantitative trading firm Dexterity Capital, said: “There’s plenty of liquidity, but it’s skewed to the ask side significantly”.

Another notable development drawing attention is the recent court ruling permitting Genesis to liquidate their GBTC holdings. This decision could potentially introduce additional selling pressure as these companies redeem shares and settle debts. Concurrently, selling activity from miners has been increasing, partly influenced by the upcoming Bitcoin code update aka Bitcoin halving.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Bhushan is a seasoned crypto writer with over eight years of experience spanning more than 10,000 contributions across multiple platforms like CoinGape, CoinSpeaker, Bitcoinist, Crypto News Flash, and others. Being a Fintech enthusiast, he loves reporting across Crypto, Blockchain, DeFi, Global Macros with a keen understanding in financial markets. 

He is committed to continuous learning and stays motivated by sharing the knowledge he acquires. In his free time, Bhushan enjoys reading thriller fiction novels and occasionally explores his culinary skills. Bhushan has a bachelors degree in electronics engineering, however, his interest in finance and economics drives him to crypto and blockchain.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.