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Big Shorters Bet $6.9 Billion Against Pro-Bitcoin MicroStrategy, How Are They Faring?

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Big shorters have placed significant bets on Michael Saylor’s business intelligence and software firm, MicroStrategy, selling stocks worth approximately $6.9 billion. Despite the substantial short positions, MicroStrategy stocks (MSTR), have continued to rise, outperforming investor expectations. 

MicroStrategy Big Shorters Lose Confidence

MicroStrategy short sellers are currently losing confidence as the price of MSTR stocks has skyrocketed over the past six months. The software intelligence firm currently holds a staggering $6.9 billion in short positions, constituting 23.14% of its market capitalization of nearly $30 billion. 

Short selling is a trading strategy where investors speculate on a stock’s potential decline. These investors, typically called shorters, borrow shares and sell them in the hopes that they will fall and then buy them back again at a lower price to take profits. 

In the context of MicroStrategy, the company’s stocks have not witnessed a significant decline since the beginning of the year. To be precise, MSTR stocks have risen by approximately 190.08% over the past six months. 

Numerous institutions are still hoping for a decline in MSTR’s price to enable them to generate profits. The high stakes and substantial capital involved in shorting MicroStrategy could pose a risk to several investors if the price of the stock does not plummet. 

Moreover, the tripling of MSTR stock value from $570 in December to $1,656 has made current short positions incredibly expensive. If the company continues to record more gains in its stock prices, short sellers may be put in a precarious position, potentially forcing many to exit their trades early to avoid bigger losses. 

Fintel, a financial data and intelligence provider has revealed a big short list, outlining the largest short positions disclosed by institutions to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the data, MicroStrategy’s biggest net short position holds approximately $2.4 billion. 

MSTR’s big short position is also the 27th largest amongst other institutions. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust currently ranks first, holding more than $114 billion in net shorts. 

MicroStrategy Stock Price Update

Short sellers have not been the only investors making big bets, as MicroStrategy founder and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael Saylor has been making substantial wagers on Bitcoin for the past few years. 

Earlier in January 2024, Saylor revealed he was selling shares to buy more Bitcoin. This decision comes after numerous Bitcoin acquisitions, positioning MicroStrategy as the top Bitcoin holder amongst public companies, according to CoinGecko. As of May 1, 2024, the software firm owned a staggering 214,400 BTC, valued at $15.2 billion, and accounting for more than 1% of Bitcoin’s total circulating supply

Moreover, in one year, MSTR stocks have risen by more than 469.66%, fueling a price increase to $1,656.63, as of writing. Google Finance data has disclosed that the stock value is still appreciating. In the last five days, MSTR is up by 3.67% and 31.75% over the past month. 

Bitcoin price chart from Tradingview.com (MicroStrategy)
BTC price recovers ahead of the weekend trading | Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview.com

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com



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Swiss Supermarket Chain Welcomes Crypto Payments

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One of Zug, Switzerland’s Spar supermarkets has begun accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment, following an increasing number of enterprises welcoming cryptocurrency for day-to-day purchases. The move is a big development for the global grocery chain with almost 14,000 stores spread around the globe and catering to nearly 15 million customers every day.

Swiss Outlet Breaks Ground With Bitcoin Payment Option

This supermarket outlet in Zug has recently been added to the BTC Map, a community-powered platform that monitors businesses across the globe that accept Bitcoin payments, as reported by DFX.swiss, a Switzerland-based cryptocurrency startup. The system supports payment through Bitcoin Lightning Network technology, and customers can make payments by merely scanning a QR code.

Rahim Taghizadegan, a bitcoin economist who is the leader of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland, was a guest at the shop and verified the system functions correctly. In a video posted on LinkedIn, he explained how clients can pay using the cryptocurrency.

Spar on BTC Map.

Technical Solution Makes Transactions Quick

The payment system operates on the OpenCryptoPay protocol, created by DFX.swiss to support real-life crypto transactions. The system harnesses the peer-to-peer features of the Bitcoin Lightning Network, which accelerates transactions and makes them more feasible for use in retail outlets.

Switzerland has emerged as a hotbed of cryptocurrency acceptance, with more than 1,000 businesses accepting Bitcoin payments. The Swiss city of Lugano went as far as legalizing BTC and USDT as legal tender back in 2022, and lately, added a statue dedicated to the anonymous founder of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.

 

Global Adoption Gaining Momentum

Although the Bitcoin payment option is now only offered at one Spar store, any rollout to the chain’s international network could have a massive impact on cryptocurrency usage in day-to-day shopping. Spar has an international presence in 48 countries, which means it has potential to bring millions of customers into contact with cryptocurrency payment.

This move continues an increasing pattern of Bitcoin uptake among retail businesses across the globe. Pick n Pay, which operates as one of South Africa’s largest food grocery chains, accepted digital currency as of 2022. Sports car maker Ferrari is also on board with taking cryptocurrency payments, exhibiting adoption through numerous market sectors.

BTC is now trading at $85,192. Chart: TradingView

Education Sector Also Embracing Cryptocurrency

According to last week’s reports, the trend is extending beyond retail and high-end merchandise. Lomond School in the United Kingdom revealed that it would accept tuition fees in BTC from autumn 2025, introducing cryptocurrency payments into education.

As institutions and more businesses incorporate cryptocurrency payments, customers could find crypto used as a standard choice to make payments instead of the traditional way. The Spar rollout in Switzerland might be a pilot for other markets within the grocery chain’s wide network.

The move by Spar to bring this payment mechanism to Switzerland reaffirms the welcoming attitude of this nation toward innovations in cryptocurrency. With the endorsement of a reputable global retailer like Spar, Bitcoin continues its transition from being fundamentally an investment currency to a practical currency for everyday shopping.”

Featured image from Inc. Magazine, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.





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What Does This Mean for Altcoins?

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Bitcoin’s (BTC) market dominance has surged to 64%, reaching its highest level in over four years. 

However, experts remain divided on what this means for the future. Some predict an impending altcoin season, and others caution that Bitcoin’s dominance could continue to suppress altcoins.

What Does Bitcoin’s Rising Dominance Mean?

For context, Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D) refers to the percentage of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization that BTC holds. It is a key indicator of Bitcoin’s market strength relative to other cryptocurrencies. A rising dominance suggests that Bitcoin is outperforming altcoins, while a decrease may signal growing interest or investment in other digital assets.

The metric has been steadily increasing since late 2022. As of the latest data, it surged to 64%, marking highs last seen in early 2021. 

Bitcoin Dominance Performance
Bitcoin Dominance Performance. Source: TradingView

Notably, Benjamin Cowen, founder of Into The Cryptoverse, highlighted that the number is much higher when excluding stablecoins.

“Excluding stable coins, Bitcoin dominance is now at 69%,” Cowen revealed.

The rise in Bitcoin dominance has sparked debate among analysts about its implications for altcoins. Cowen believes there will be a correction or downward movement in altcoins before any substantial gains can be expected in the market. This implies that the altcoin season may not be imminent yet.

“I think ALT/ BTC pairs need to go down before they can go up,” he stated.

Nordin, founder of Nour Group, also expressed caution. He stressed that Bitcoin dominance is nearing the levels seen during the peak of the 2020 bear market. 

“This isn’t just a BTC move. Its capital rotating out of alts,” he noted.

Moreover, Nordin warned that a break above 66% could intensify selling pressure on altcoins. This, in turn, could delay the altcoin season.

“Bitcoin dominance back to 64%. No Alt seasons in 2024 or 2025,” analyst, Alessandro Ottaviani, predicted.

On the other hand, analyst Mister Crypto predicts that Bitcoin’s dominance may follow a long-term descending triangle pattern. A descending triangle typically suggests bearish momentum, where the price or dominance gradually decreases as lower highs are formed. 

However, this could prolong its market control before a broader correction allows altcoins to gain traction.

Bitcoin Dominance Prediction
Bitcoin Dominance Prediction. Source: X/Mister Crypto

Another analyst mentioned that Bitcoin dominance is currently testing the resistance zone between 64% and 64.3%. Therefore, a possible retracement may be on the horizon. Should this retracement occur, altcoins could begin to gain traction, with some potentially emerging as top performers in the market as capital shifts away from Bitcoin. 

“However, a breakout from this zone could mean further declines for alts,” the analyst remarked.

Finally, Junaid Dar, CEO of Bitwardinvest, offered a more optimistic view. According to Dar’s analysis, if Bitcoin’s dominance drops below 63.45%, it could trigger a strong upward movement in altcoins. This, he believes, would create an ideal opportunity to profit from altcoin positions. 

“For now, alts are stuck. Just a matter of time,” Dar added.

Tether Dominance Signals Potential Altcoin Season 

Meanwhile, many analysts believe that the trends in Tether dominance (USDT.D) signal a potential altcoin season. From a technical analysis standpoint, USDT.D has reached a resistance zone and may be due for a correction, suggesting the possibility of capital flowing from USDT into altcoins.

“The USDTD is in a rejection zone, as long as it does not close above 6.75% it will be favorable for the market,” a technical analyst wrote.

USDT Dominance Performance
USDT Dominance Performance. Source: X/TheCryptoLemon 

Another analyst also stressed that the USDT.D and USD Coin dominance (USDC.D) have reached resistance, forecasting an incoming altcoin season. Doğu Tekinoğlu drew similar conclusions by observing the combined chart of BTC.D, USDT.D, and USDC.D. 

As Bitcoin’s dominance climbs, investors are closely monitoring these technical and on-chain signals. The interplay between Bitcoin’s strength and stablecoin dynamics could dictate whether altcoins stage a comeback this summer or face further consolidation. For now, Bitcoin’s grip on the market remains firm.

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.



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Babylon’s TVL Drops 32% After Massive Bitcoin Unstaking

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Babylon, a platform enabling native Bitcoin (BTC) staking, recorded a notable unstaking event on April 17. Approximately $1.26 billion worth of BTC was withdrawn from the protocol.

The move resulted in a significant decline in Babylon’s total value locked (TVL). Moreover, the price of its native token, BABY, also dipped.

Babylon’s TVL Drops 32% After Massive BTC Unstaking

Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain alerted users about the unstaking on X (formerly Twitter).

“About 5 hours ago, 14,929 BTC($1.26 billion) was unstaked from Babylon,” the post read.

Addresses Unstaking Bitcoin from Babylon
Addresses Unstaking Bitcoin from Babylon. Source: X/Lookonchain

This move triggered a sharp drop in the platform’s TVL. According to data from DefiLama, Babylon’s TVL dropped from $3.9 billion to $2.6 billion in just a day, representing a decline of 32.7%. Moreover, only 31,502 BTC remain staked in the protocol at press time. 

That’s not all. The BABY token was also not immune to market pressures. According to BeInCrypto data, the token depreciated by 9.8% over the past day alone. At the time of writing, the altcoin was trading at $0.8.

BABY Price Performance
BABY Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

The unstaking led to widespread speculation about the platform’s stability and the broader implications for Bitcoin-based decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols.

“What’s going on. I don’t waste my time partaking in staking BTC, but this can be concerning. You don’t just see so much unstaking in such a short window,” a user said.

Nonetheless, Lombard Finance quickly moved to calm investor concerns. The Bitcoin restaking protocol, built on Babylon, clarified that the withdrawal was part of a planned transition to a new set of finality providers. 

“To carry out the transition to our new set of Finality Providers, the Lombard Protocol has begun the process of unstaking BTC from the Lombard Finality Provider,” Lombard Finance stated.

The post emphasized that this process was a necessary step in the evolution of the platform. In addition, the company reassured investors that the withdrawn funds are expected to be restaked once the unbonding process concludes.

The unstaking event follows closely on the heels of Babylon’s airdrop earlier this month. 600 million BABY tokens—representing 6% of the token’s total supply—were distributed to early adopters, including Phase 1 stakers, Pioneer Pass NFT holders, and contributing developers. 

Shortly after the airdrop, $21 million worth of Bitcoin was unstaked within 24 hours. This suggests a pattern of capital withdrawal that has intensified with the latest event.

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.



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