Record-breaking Bitcoin price surge on horizon as OTC desks dry up, predicts 10X Research Record-breaking Bitcoin price surge on horizon as OTC desks dry up, predicts 10X Research
Bitcoin's bullish trend bolstered by institutional demand and shifting investment patterns.
2 min read
Updated: Mar. 4, 2024 at 2:23 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Bitcoin’s price is primed for a surge that could hit record-breaking highs this week, according to a 10X Research report shared with CryptoSlate.
Why BTC will print new ATH
The report outlines key factors driving this bullish momentum. It suggests that Bitcoin will experience a significant upswing if the outflows from Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETF drop below $100 million while substantial inflows continue to BlackRock.
These ETFs, launched in January, have notably influenced Bitcoin’s price, propelled by institutional demand. Markus Thielen, the founder of 10X Research, said this influence contributed to a notable 43% increase, amounting to $18,615, in Bitcoin’s price during February.
Beyond the US-based ETFs, Bitcoin’s demand is surging globally. Trading volume in Korea has skyrocketed from under $1 billion to nearly $8 billion. Furthermore, the pending ETF applications in Hong Kong are anticipated to attract Chinese investors upon approval.
Thielen further emphasized the shifting investment patterns, noting that a significant portion of Bitcoin ETF inflows is redirected from Gold ETFs, with Bitcoin increasingly viewed as a superior macro asset. This perception is bolstered by Bitcoin’s favorable response to changes in interest rate expectations and geopolitical events.
Moreover, heightened institutional demand has led to declining Bitcoin balances on Over-the-counter (OTC) desks and crypto exchanges. Thielen reported OTC balances have plummeted from around 10,000 BTC in the previous year’s second quarter to less than 2,000. Similarly, exchange balances have decreased by 63,000 Bitcoins over the past month.
Thielen concluded that the influx of new retail and institutional investors may not be price-sensitive, particularly with the prevailing perception that Bitcoin’s halving is bullish. So, he predicts that Bitcoin will likely reach a new all-time high this week, supported by the absence of sellers and ongoing attempts to boost leveraged long positions.
Bitcoin Market Data
At the time of press 2:23 pm UTC on Mar. 4, 2024, Bitcoin is ranked #1 by market cap and the price is up 4.58% over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $1.28 trillion with a 24-hour trading volume of $45.71 billion. Learn more about Bitcoin ›
Crypto Market Summary
At the time of press 2:23 pm UTC on Mar. 4, 2024, the total crypto market is valued at at $2.43 trillion with a 24-hour volume of $123.96 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 52.74%. Learn more about the crypto market ›
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Oluwapelumi values Bitcoin's potential. He imparts insights on a range of topics like DeFi, hacks, mining and culture, underlining transformative power.
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Bitcoin, a decentralized currency that defies the sway of central banks or administrators, transacts electronically, circumventing intermediaries via a peer-to-peer network.
Markus Thielen is currently the Head of Research & Strategy at Matrixport, a one-stop digital assets financial services platform where users can invest, trade, and leverage crypto assets.