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Bitcoin Bounces Above $67,000 as Traders Navigate a ‘Liquidity Hunt’ Post-Surge

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Bitcoin’s price has rebounded from a ten-day low as traders attempt to gauge a short-term direction amid a “liquidity hunt” following last week’s surge to its near-all-time high.

The asset is trading relatively flat on the day to around $67,500 after dropping to as little as $65,160 on Thursday, CoinGecko data shows.

It comes as Bitcoin’s price breached $69,000 on Sunday—the asset’s all-time high, set on March 14, stands at just above $73,700.

That has some experts postulating the asset’s move lower this week may have been short-lived.

“We don’t see this necessarily as linked to U.S. election odds moving around but more of a natural liquidity hunt after a big move up last week,” Ryan McMillin, chief investment officer at crypto fund manager Merkle Tree Capital, told Decrypt.

A liquidity hunt refers to the process where the market “flushes out” leveraged positions, particularly those with long exposure or traders betting on price increases.

When traders are leveraged long, a price reversal can force them to sell or liquidate their positions, creating downward pressure on an asset’s price. This is viewed as a healthy correction, clearing out speculative excess before the market can resume its upward trend, McMillin said.

“We expect we’ll retest the $70,000 resistance again soon, but we could have to wait until the U.S. election for a real breakout.”

The U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5 could prove pivotal for the industry, with participants expecting either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris to introduce favorable regulations offering clearer guidance for businesses operating in the country.

It is already proving to be a boon for Bitcoin’s resilience in the lead-up to that date, experts told Decrypt.

While the election remains a tight-knit race, according to polling from FiveThirtyEight, which shows Trump is slightly ahead, Bitcoin’s price is expected to fluctuate between $63,000 and $68,000 in the final days.

That’s according to Pratik Kala, portfolio manager and head of research at digital asset fund manager Apollo Crypto. 

“A decisive break above $71,000 will point to the market placing a high probability of a Trump win,” Kala told Decrypt.

It’s a view shared by others, including those at Singapore-based digital assets trading firm QCP Capital, which wrote in a note on Wednesday Bitcoin remains “well-supported with potential upside.”

“Given Trump’s more crypto-friendly stance, it’s no surprise that Bitcoin is trading higher,” it said.

The firm pointed to the convergence of the election and Non-Farm Payroll data scheduled for release on November 1, which is expected to show a modest increase in employment figures.

“All eyes are on the NFP release next Friday as uncertainty around the labor market persists,” QCP wrote. “As the last NFP report before the next Fed meeting, it will play a critical role in shaping expectations for the Fed’s next move on interest rates.”

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Bitcoin ETF

Have Bitcoin ETFs Lived Up to the Hype?

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The launch of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 was heralded as a groundbreaking moment for the market. Many expected these products to open the floodgates for institutional capital and catapult Bitcoin prices to new heights. But now, a year later, have Bitcoin ETFs delivered on their promise?

For a more in-depth look into this topic, check out a recent YouTube video here: Have Bitcoin ETFs Lived Up to Expectations?

A Strong Start

Since their launch, Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated over 1 million BTC, equivalent to approximately $40 billion in assets under management. Even when accounting for outflows from competing products like the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), which saw withdrawals of over 400,000 BTC, the net inflows remain significant at about 540,000 BTC.

Figure 1: ETFs have accumulated over 1 million BTC.

View Live Chart 🔍

To put this into perspective, the scale of inflows far exceeds what we witnessed during the launch of the first gold ETFs in 2004. Gold ETFs garnered $3.45 billion in their first year, a fraction of Bitcoin ETFs’ $37.5 billion in inflows over the same period. This highlights the intense institutional interest in Bitcoin as a financial asset.

Figure 2: The first Gold ETF accrued less than 1/10th the value of the BTC ETFs in its first year.

Bitcoin’s Year of Growth

Following the launch of Bitcoin ETFs, initial price movements were underwhelming, with Bitcoin briefly declining by nearly 20% in a “buy the rumor, sell the news” scenario. However, this bearish trend quickly reversed. Over the past year, Bitcoin prices have risen by approximately 120%, reaching new heights. For comparison, the first year following the launch of gold ETFs saw a modest 9% price increase for gold.

Figure 3: Over 100% returns in the year following approval.

Following the Gold Fractal

When accounting for Bitcoin’s 24/7 trading schedule, which results in roughly 5.3 times more yearly trading hours than gold, a striking similarity emerges. By overlaying Bitcoin’s first year of ETF price action with gold’s historical data (adjusted for trading hours), we can see almost the same % returns. If Bitcoin continues to follow gold’s pattern, we could see an additional 83% price increase by mid-2025, potentially pushing Bitcoin’s price to around $188,000.

Figure 4: BTC time-adjusted returns to GLD are incredibly similar since ETF approval.

Institutional Strategy

One intriguing insight from Bitcoin ETFs has been the relationship between fund inflows and price movements. A simple strategy of buying Bitcoin on days with positive ETF inflows and selling on days with outflows has consistently outperformed a traditional buy-and-hold approach. From January 2024 to today, this strategy has returned 130%, compared to ~100% for a buy-and-hold investor, an outperformance of nearly 10%.

Figure 5: Following institutional inflows has outperformed buy & hold BTC.

View Live Chart 🔍

For more information on this institutional inflow strategy, watch the following video:
Using ETF Data to Outperform Bitcoin [Must Watch]

Supply and Demand Dynamics

While Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated over 1 million BTC, this represents only a small fraction of Bitcoin’s total circulating supply of 19.8 million BTC. Corporations like MicroStrategy have also contributed to institutional adoption, collectively holding hundreds of thousands of BTC. Yet, the majority of Bitcoin remains in the hands of individual investors, ensuring that market dynamics are still driven by decentralized supply and demand.

Figure 6: Corporations have also accumulated hundreds of thousands of BTC but are still minority holders.

View Live Chart 🔍

Conclusion

One year in, Bitcoin ETFs have exceeded expectations. With billions in inflows, a significant impact on price appreciation, and increasing institutional adoption, they have solidified their role as a key driver of Bitcoin’s market narrative. While some early skeptics were disappointed by the lack of immediate explosive price action, the long-term outlook remains highly bullish.

The comparisons to gold ETFs provide a compelling roadmap for Bitcoin’s future. If the gold fractal holds true, we could be on the cusp of another major rally. Coupled with favorable macroeconomic conditions and growing institutional interest, Bitcoin’s future looks brighter than ever.

Explore live data, charts, indicators, and in-depth research to stay ahead of Bitcoin’s price action at Bitcoin Magazine Pro.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.



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Is USDT Losing to RLUSD and USDC?

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Is the EU’s MiCA framework forcing investors to rethink their allegiance to Tether’s USDT and explore alternatives like Circle’s USDC and Ripple’s RLUSD?

USDT under radar

For years, Tether’s USDT (USDT) has been the go-to stablecoin for traders and investors. Yet, as we step into 2025, its dominance is starting to waver, particularly in the European Union, where mounting regulatory scrutiny and growing competition are challenging its unshakable reputation.

The turning point came on December 30, 2024, with the full implementation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulations. 

Designed to bring order to the unpredictable crypto market, MiCA has imposed stringent compliance requirements on stablecoin issuers, including a mandate for major players like Tether to hold 60% of their reserves in EU banks.

As these regulations take effect, Tether is grappling with a wave of redemptions, new regulatory hurdles, and intensifying competition from rivals like Circle’s USDC (USDC) and Ripple’s RLUSD (RLUSD). 

In the past, Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, raised concerns over the risks of “bank failures,” arguing that such requirements could expose stablecoin issuers to systemic vulnerabilities rather than reducing them.

But the market seems less concerned with Tether’s reasoning and more with its actions — or lack thereof. 

In the days leading up to MiCA’s implementation, nearly $4 billion worth of USDT was redeemed, marking the largest outflow since the 2022 crypto winter. 

Back then, scandals like the collapse of FTX and revelations of fraud across the industry sent shockwaves through crypto, shrinking USDT’s market cap from $83 billion in May to $65 billion by November — a 21% drop. 

The recent decline, while smaller, carries deeper implications. As of Jan. 9, Tether’s market cap stands at $137.5 billion, down from $141 billion just two weeks earlier.

The question now is not just whether Tether can adapt but whether the market will wait for it to do so. With USDC cementing its regulatory foothold and RLUSD rapidly gaining momentum, could this be the beginning of a sharp decline for the world’s largest stablecoin? Let’s try to decode.

Competitors closing In: USDC and RLUSD’s strategic advances

Tether’s reluctance to comply with its strict reserve requirements has raised red flags among investors, while its competitors are thriving under the new framework. 

Even though EU member states have up to 18 months to fully enforce MiCA, the market isn’t waiting. Investors and exchanges are already repositioning, and USDT’s grip on the market appears to be slipping.

For context, exchanges like Coinbase and OKX have already delisted USDT for European users, citing non-compliance with MiCA. 

Circle’s USDC stands out as a prime beneficiary of the regulatory shift. Having secured MiCA approval in mid-2024, USDC has positioned itself as the stablecoin of choice for exchanges looking to align with EU rules. 

Binance’s partnership with Circle, aimed at accelerating USDC adoption globally, is a direct response to growing demand for transparency and compliance. This move has already begun to pay off; USDC’s market cap has grown by $2 billion since securing the license.

Meanwhile, Ripple’s RLUSD, launched on December 17, 2024, is also gaining traction as a regulatory-compliant alternative. 

Designed to operate seamlessly on the XRP Ledger (XRP) and Ethereum (ETH), RLUSD processed 33,953 transactions on the XRP Ledger and 1,690 on Ethereum during its testing phase alone. 

Ripple’s big Moment as RLUSD gains momentum in a changing era

The year 2025 could be a turning point for Ripple, as a convergence of legal victories, strategic partnerships, and a crypto-friendly administration in the U.S. creates ideal conditions for expanding its foothold in the stablecoin market. 

With Donald Trump’s presidency expected to usher in crypto-friendly policies, Ripple may finally resolve its long-standing legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission, lifting a major obstacle to its growth.

Already, Ripple has scored key wins in the SEC case, including reducing a potential $2 billion penalty to just $125 million. This resolution provides the company with the breathing room needed to refocus on innovation and the rollout of RLUSD. 

Monica Long, Ripple’s president, has hinted at ambitious plans for RLUSD, including imminent listings on major exchanges to broaden its reach and utility. 

“We are continuing to expand distribution and availability of Ripple dollars on other exchanges. So, I think you can expect to see more availability, more announcements coming soon,” Long shared in a recent Bloomberg interview.

Ripple’s well-established payments business is also a crucial driver for RLUSD’s adoption. Over the past year, Ripple’s payment solutions have doubled their transaction volume, reflecting their value in facilitating seamless cross-border transactions. 

Stablecoins like RLUSD could enhance this ecosystem by offering businesses an efficient alternative to traditional banking systems. 

As Ripple expands RLUSD’s availability, businesses already relying on its payment solutions could likely adopt the stablecoin, further accelerating its growth.

Beyond payments, partnership with Chainlink, a leader in blockchain oracles, could propel it into the decentralized finance space. 

Chainlink’s infrastructure, which has supported over $18 trillion in transaction value, positions RLUSD to integrate effectively with DeFi ecosystems, offering new opportunities for both traditional and DeFi users.

The stablecoin market, now valued at $206.2 billion, continues to remain dominated by USDT, which holds 66% of the market share. 

What to expect next?

USDT’s struggles have been years in the making, marked by its unmatched dominance but shadowed by persistent questions about transparency. 

While Tether has consistently maintained its peg to the U.S. dollar, its reluctance to provide full-scale audits and ongoing accusations of under-collateralization have fueled mistrust. 

Amid this, USDC has positioned itself as the “safe” alternative, building its reputation on monthly attestations and a compliance-first approach. Its recent approval under Europe’s MiCA regulations has further strengthened its foothold in the region. 

Meanwhile, Ripple’s RLUSD, though a newer entrant, is also gaining traction with Ripple’s strong payment infrastructure, rapid exchange listings, and seamless integration into DeFi markets.

As MiCA sets a clear regulatory benchmark in the EU, the U.S. would soon follow suit. Signals from the Trump administration suggest an acceleration of crypto-friendly policies, likely pushing the U.S. toward an accountable regulatory framework. 

With these shifts, 2025 may mark the beginning of a power transition in the stablecoin market. While USDT remains the leader, for now, the momentum of its competitors signals that change is upcoming.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.





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MicroStrategy Continues Weekly Bitcoin Buying Spree With Another $101 Million

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Software company MicroStrategy is pushing forward with its Bitcoin buying spree in 2025, today snapping up more than $100 million worth of the orange coin.

An SEC filing and Monday announcement from the company’s co-founder and Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor showed that MicroStrategy spent $101 million buying 1,070 BTC at an average price of $94,004. That’s roughly half the amount of Bitcoin the company bought last week, consistent with the weekly buying trend that MicroStrategy started in November following the reelection of Donald Trump.

MicroStrategy now holds 447,470 Bitcoin in total. At today’s Bitcoin price of $101,832, that’s a stash worth over $45.5 billion. All told, the company bought their coins at an average price of $62,503, the announcement said.

Prediction markets last week were bullish that MicroStrategy would buy more Bitcoin today—and understandably so, given that that today’s purchase makes nine consecutively weekly buys for Saylor’s company.

On Myriad—a points-based prediction market and engagement platform developed by Dastan, parent company of an editorially independent Decrypt—users saw an 86% chance that MicroStrategy would hold at least 450,000 BTC before the end of this week. Those odds, though, have now tanked to just 20% as of this writing following the company’s announcement of a much smaller purchase relative to previous weeks.

On the Monday following Trump’s win, MicroStrategy announced it bought more than $2 billion worth of Bitcoin. It then followed up the next week with another $4.6 billion, and then again with its single largest purchase yet of $5.4 billion the week after that.

The company has continued buying more Bitcoin every week since, but the individual amounts have gradually decreased in recent weeks as the price of Bitcoin has swelled. Users on Polymarket, a prediction market co-founded by Shayne Coplan in 2020, currently see only a 2% chance that MicroSrategy holds more than 500,000 BTC by Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

MicroStrategy was previously a software company that sold data-analyzing solutions to companies. It still does that, but Saylor has since rebranded the firm as a Bitcoin development company, leading with its Bitcoin treasury.

It all started in 2020, when covid lockdowns and record low interest rates threatened to hurt the company’s shareholders, according to Saylor. He decided to buy Bitcoin and has since argued that the asset—being scarce—is the best way to preserve wealth.

Now, MicroStrategy makes most of its money by securitizing the biggest cryptocurrency by market cap: investors wanting exposure to Bitcoin can buy shares of the company that trade on the Nasdaq—an arguably safer, more regulated way of crypto investing.

It is now the biggest publicly traded holder of the cryptocurrency and issues debt to buy Bitcoin—making a killing for investors in the process: MicroStrategy stock is up over 500% year-to-date.

But concerns have been raised about how viable this is if the price of Bitcoin were to tank: the company is highly leveraged and some analysts now believe the stock price may be overvalued.

Edited by Stacy Elliott.

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