Bitcoin (BTC) has been experiencing a period of price weakness following the recent decision by the United States Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged. Additionally, the correlation between Bitcoin and the U.S. Dollar Index has reached its lowest point since September 2022, indicating an increasingly inverse relationship. However, there are also hopeful indicators, such as the potential approval of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in October. Despite these opposing factors, Bitcoin’s volatility has seen a significant decrease, and long-term holders remain optimistic while short-term holders have been securing their profits.
Higher interest rates have historically been bearish for non-yielding assets like Bitcoin. Last week’s decision by the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged initially resulted in a 4.25% decrease in BTC price. The decision was accompanied by projections indicating that most officials favor increasing rates in 2023. Consequently, investors have shown a heightened appetite for safer assets like the U.S. dollar, leading to a negative correlation between Bitcoin and the U.S. Dollar Index. This inverse relationship is currently at its lowest point since September 2022.
Despite the negative impact of interest rates, there is hope for a positive development in the form of a potential Bitcoin ETF approval by the SEC. Advocates argue that the approval of the first gold ETF in 2003 saw a significant increase in gold prices over the following years. If a spot Bitcoin ETF is approved, it could potentially have a similar effect on Bitcoin’s price. The anticipation of this approval has contributed to a balancing effect in Bitcoin’s overall volatility, resulting in one of the least volatile periods in its history.
Bitcoin long-term holders (LTH) have displayed unwavering confidence in the midst of the Fed’s hawkishness and other market factors. This sentiment is reflected in the net unrealized profit/loss (NUPL) reading, which indicates whether the network as a whole is experiencing net profit or net losses. LTH entities holding their BTC for over 155 days have remained profitable throughout 2023, suggesting that they have not sold their holdings and are anticipating a higher Bitcoin price in the future.
In contrast to the optimism of LTH entities, short-term holders (STH) have been responding more swiftly to market volatility. The NUPL of STHs, or “speculators,” has declined sharply in 2023, indicating that they have been securing their profits and accumulating BTC at higher prices. This shift in behavior reflects a more cautious approach among short-term holders, possibly influenced by the current market conditions.
Despite the current period of price weakness, several Bitcoin chart analysts foresee an extended bull run in late 2023 and throughout 2024. Analyst Rekt Capital perceives Bitcoin’s ongoing flat trend as a buying opportunity ahead of the Bitcoin halving expected by mid-2024. Historical data supports the idea that halving events have been bullish catalysts for Bitcoin’s price. Market analyst Moustache also points to a classic Megaphone pattern, predicting a bull run with upside projections exceeding $100,000.
While there are optimistic projections for Bitcoin’s future, short-term technical indicators reveal a potential warning signal. The emergence of a potential head-and-shoulders (H&S) pattern suggests a bearish trend in the near future. This pattern occurs when the price forms three peaks on a support line, with the middle peak being higher than the other two. The pattern resolves with a price break below the neckline, followed by a decline equivalent to the maximum height between the head and the neckline. Bitcoin has already started descending below its neckline level of approximately $26,420, indicating a potential target price around $25,400 in October.
The current state of Bitcoin is marked by price weakness, conflicting market factors, and technical indicators that point to both bullish and bearish possibilities. The impact of interest rates and the correlation with the U.S. Dollar Index have contributed to a decline in Bitcoin’s price. However, the potential approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF provides hope for a positive market response. Long-term holders remain optimistic, while short-term holders have been securing profits. Analysts predict an extended bull run in the future, although there are short-term technical warnings to consider. As the Bitcoin market continues to evolve, it is crucial for investors to carefully monitor these factors and adjust their strategies accordingly.
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