Connect with us

Market

BTC Falls, BlackRock Eyes Blockchain, and More

Published

on


This week, Bitcoin and the broader crypto market experienced a sharp decline following the release of US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data.

Speculation about BlackRock launching its own blockchain has also surfaced. Additionally, Binance’s delisting of several altcoins triggered significant market reactions.

Bitcoin’s “Fakeout” Following CPI Data Release

On August 14, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released July’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. The figure was lower than the previous month, leading to speculation that the Federal Reserve might cut rates in September, possibly by 25 basis points.

Bitcoin initially reacted positively to the data, trading above the $60,000 level. However, this proved to be short-lived, as the price quickly reversed, dropping below $60,000 — a move known in trading circles as a “fakeout.” At the time of writing, Bitcoin stands at $58,345, reflecting a 1.95% decrease in the past 24 hours.

Read more: Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2024/2025/2030

Bitcoin Price Performance.
Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

Despite this volatility, analysts maintain a positive long-term outlook for Bitcoin. Potential catalysts for a bullish trend include anticipated rate cuts, increased inflows into Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs), and favorable regulatory developments.

Institutional Investors and Wall Street Giants Reveal Spot Crypto ETF Holdings

This week, institutional investors disclosed their positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs through their 13-F filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Goldman Sachs, for example, holds positions in seven of the 11 available spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US. Its largest stake is in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), with an investment valued at approximately $238.6 million.

In addition to IBIT, Goldman Sachs has invested heavily in other Bitcoin ETFs. Notably, the bank holds $79.5 million in Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF (FBTC) and $56.1 million in the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO), among others.

Similarly, Morgan Stanley, another Wall Street giant, also demonstrated a preference for BlackRock’s IBIT, with positions valued at $188 million. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley has smaller holdings in the Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC).

The trading firm DRW Capital also presented its significant stake in crypto ETFs, particularly focusing on Ethereum. The company’s filings indicate an allocation of over $150 million to the Grayscale Ethereum Trust.

Additionally, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) reported owning nearly 2.9 million shares of BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) as of June 30. This position, valued at nearly $99 million, marks a significant increase from the previous quarter, where SWIB held around 2.5 million shares. Interestingly, SWIB also reduced its exposure to the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust by offloading 1 million shares during the first quarter.

Vetle Lunde, a senior analyst at K33 Research, recently noted that the second quarter of 2024 saw a notable increase in institutional ownership of Bitcoin ETFs. The 13-F filings revealed that 1,199 professional firms held investments in US spot ETFs as of June 30. This number marks an increase of 262 firms from the previous quarter. 

“While retail investors still hold the majority of the float, institutional investors increased their share of total AUM by 2.41 percentage points, now accounting for 21.15% in Q2,” Lunde remarked.

This growth in institutional participation is significant. It indicates that large financial entities are becoming more comfortable with the risk-reward profile of crypto investments.

Hydra Update Prepares Cardano for Chang Hard Fork

On August 9, Cardano released version 0.18.0 of its Hydra Head scaling solution. This upgrade is particularly crucial as Cardano prepares for its upcoming Chang hard fork, which aims to fully decentralize the blockchain.

Sebastian Nagel, a Cardano developer, emphasized that one of the key features of this update is the ability to withdraw funds from an open head without closing it. This improvement aligns with Cardano’s broader goal of transitioning into a decentralized network. Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, envisions it as a global system featuring advanced governance and community-driven initiatives.

Speculation Surrounding BlackRock’s Blockchain Initiative

According to a report by Token Terminal, BlackRock could be exploring the launch of a proprietary blockchain similar to Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, Base. The report suggests that such a blockchain could centralize the record-keeping of BlackRock’s vast holdings, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and security. If this plan materializes, it will align with BlackRock’s broader strategy of leveraging technology to streamline its operations and offer novel solutions to its clients.

However, such a project would have challenges, including managing the complex regulatory environment and ensuring the blockchain’s security and scalability. Despite BlackRock not confirming these plans and potential challenges, the asset management firm potentially launching a blockchain could represent a major shift in the traditional finance sector. 

Six Altcoins Take a Hit After Binance Delisting Announcement

On August 12, Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, announced the delisting of six altcoins. Effective August 26, 2024, at 03:00 UTC, Binance will remove all spot trading pairs for these tokens.

Historically, when Binance announces the listing or delisting of altcoins, it significantly impacts their prices. The recent delisting decision immediately caused the prices of the affected tokens to drop.

Read more: Which Are the Best Altcoins To Invest in August 2024?

The tokens impacted were PowerPool (CVP), Ellipsis (EPX), ForTube (FOR), Loom Network (LOOM), Reef (REEF), and VGX Token (VGX). Some of these even experienced value declines exceeding 20%.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Market

Ethereum Price Reaches $2,500 Again: Will The Uptrend Hold?

Published

on

By



Este artículo también está disponible en español.

Ethereum price started a fresh upward move above the $2,420 resistance. ETH traded close to $2,500 and is now consolidating gains.

  • Ethereum started another increase from the $2,320 resistance.
  • The price is trading above $2,400 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
  • There is a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $2,385 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
  • The pair must clear the $2,480 resistance to continue higher in the near term.

Ethereum Price Surges Over 8%

Ethereum price remained well-supported and extended its increase, beating Bitcoin. ETH was able to clear the $2,350 and $2,420 resistance levels.

There was a sharp move, and the price gained nearly 10%. It traded close to the $2,500 resistance zone. A high was formed at $2,493 and the price is now consolidating gains. There was a minor decline below the $2,460 level. The price tested the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,277 swing low to the $2,493 high.

Ethereum price is now trading above $2,440 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $2,385 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The trend line is close to the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,277 swing low to the $2,493 high.

On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $2,480 level. The first major resistance is near the $2,500 level. The next key resistance is near $2,550.

Ethereum Price
Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com

An upside break above the $2,550 resistance might call for more gains. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $2,650 resistance zone in the near term. The next hurdle sits near the $2,750 level or $2,800.

Are Dips Limited In ETH?

If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,480 resistance, it could start a downside correction. Initial support on the downside is near $2,440. The first major support sits near the $2,385 zone and the trend line zone.

A clear move below the $2,385 support might push the price toward $2,320. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,250 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $2,200.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACDThe MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSIThe RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone.

Major Support Level – $2,385

Major Resistance Level – $2,500



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

$26 Million Stolen in BingX Hack Amid Ongoing Crypto Attacks

Published

on

By



The crypto exchange BingX reportedly lost over $26 million in various digital assets early Thursday morning. This incident adds to a troubling week for crypto platforms as multiple hacks continue to expose vulnerabilities within the sector.

PeckShield, a blockchain security company, initially detected suspicious transactions at approximately 00:37 UTC. Initial reports suggested an outflow of around $13.6 million.

BingX Has Paused Withdrawals

Following this, several crypto security platforms conducted a more thorough examination and confirmed that BingX had been compromised. On-chain analysis firm Lookonchain detailed the stolen assets, which included over 360 different altcoins. The stolen funds were swiftly transferred to the wallet address ‘0xF7e8’ before being exchanged primarily for Ethereum (ETH) and BNB.

Read more: Crypto Project Security: A Guide to Early Threat Detection

The detailed breakdown of the stolen assets includes:

  • 4.44 million USDT ($4.44 million),
  • 1 million WUSD ($1 million),
  • 608,660 USDC ($608,660),
  • 9.38 BTCB ($590,000),
  • along with numerous other tokens making up the substantial remainder.

In response to the breach, BingX’s Chief Product Officer, Vivien Lin, confirmed the hack and announced the suspension of all withdrawals to mitigate further risks.

“Our technical team detected abnormal network access, suspecting a hacker attack on BingX’s hot wallet. We immediately started our emergency plan, including the urgent transfer of assets and withdraw suspension. There has been minor asset loss, but the amount is small and still being calculated,” Lin wrote on X (Twitter).

Despite the significant amount lost, Lin assured users that BingX would cover the full amount of the stolen assets with its own capital reserves. Furthermore, she committed that BingX will resume withdrawals within 24 hours. This swift response aims to restore trust and stabilize operations after the incident.

Moreover, this week’s hack at BingX is part of a larger trend of increased attacks on crypto platforms. Just earlier this week, DeltaPrime, a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol on the Arbitrum chain, reported a loss of $5.9 million due to suspicious transactions.

Additionally, last week, the Indonesian exchange Indodax also faced a severe security breach, resulting in a loss of over $20 million. In each instance, the intrusions were identified by blockchain security firms after funds had been illicitly transferred and converted across multiple networks.

Read more: A Guide to the Best AI Security Solutions in 2024

These recurring incidents have spurred calls for enhanced security measures across the cryptocurrency industry. Consequently, experts stress the importance of exchanges and protocols implementing strong security frameworks to protect against the sophisticated tactics employed by hackers today.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

Bitcoin Price Pushes Higher As The Bulls Set Sights on $65K

Published

on

By



Este artículo también está disponible en español.

Bitcoin price gained pace above the $61,500 resistance. BTC even cleared the $63,300 level and is now consolidating gains above $62,500.

  • Bitcoin is gaining pace above the $62,200 resistance zone.
  • The price is trading above $62,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
  • There is a major bullish trend line forming with support at $61,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
  • The pair could extend gains if it stays above the $61,500 support zone.

Bitcoin Price Extend Gains Above $63,000

Bitcoin price extended its increase above the $60,500 level. BTC was able to clear the $61,200 and $61,500 resistance levels to move into a positive zone.

The bulls pumped the price above $62,500 and $63,000 levels. A high was formed at $63,840 and the price is now consolidating gains. There was a move below the $63,500 level. The price dipped and tested the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $59,165 swing low to the $63,840 high.

Bitcoin is now trading above $62,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There is also a major bullish trend line forming with support at $61,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Bitcoin Price
Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

On the upside, the price could face resistance near the $63,500 level. The first key resistance is near the $63,800 level. A clear move above the $68,400 resistance might send the price higher. The next key resistance could be $64,500. A close above the $64,500 resistance might spark more upsides. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $65,000 resistance.

Are Dips Limited In BTC?

If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $63,500 resistance zone, it could start a downside correction. Immediate support on the downside is near the $62,700 level.

The first major support is $61,500 and the trend line. The next support is now near the $61,000 zone or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $59,165 swing low to the $63,840 high. Any more losses might send the price toward the $60,500 support in the near term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $62,700, followed by $61,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $63,500, and $63,800.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 coin2049.io