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Bitcoin Remains on Top as Altcoin Season Fails to Materialize

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The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant rally last week, providing a much-needed boost for many short-term speculators to turn profits. Bitcoin led the charge, surpassing the $64,790 mark, though the momentum appeared to have eased by the time of writing.

This surge was mirrored across the altcoin landscape, with several cryptocurrencies, including TRON, Avalanche (AVAX), and Chainlink (LINK), recording impressive gains ranging from 20% to 30% within just seven days.

Despite these gains among widespread altcoins, Bitcoin continues to exert dominance over the entire market.

Bitcoin Increases Dominance: What Does It Mean For Altcoins?

The altcoin season has yet to build up steam since the beginning of the year as Bitcoin continues to receive the lion’s share of investor attention. This is clearly reflected in the Altcoin Season Index, which currently registers a reading of 22 and tipping the scale in favor of Bitcoin. The scale also reads a 29 on the Altcoin Monthly Index, also in favor of Bitcoin.

Essentially, the index works by analyzing the performance of various altcoins against Bitcoin. If 75% of the top 50 altcoins performed better than Bitcoin in the past 90 days, it is altcoin season. If 75% of the top 50 altcoins performed better than Bitcoin in the past 90 days, it is deemed an altcoin month. Interestingly, the last official altcoin season occurred during the 2021 bull run. 

According to the chart below, the last time market dominance almost tipped in favor of altcoins was in January 2024, when it climbed above 75 for only a few days. Nowadays, the scale mostly ranges around 20 to 30, pushing the altcoin season further out of reach. In fact, the index even dipped as low as 12 on July 30, further highlighting the ongoing dominance of Bitcoin.

Total crypto market cap currently at $2.199 trillion. Chart: TradingView

Supporting this Bitcoin dominance trend is the price data from CoinMarketCap, At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $63,850 with a market cap of $1.26 trillion. This represents a 6.92% increase in the last seven days. As such, 56.3% of the entire crypto market value is currently sitting in Bitcoin.

What’s The Performance Outlook For Altcoins?

Due to Bitcoin’s dominance, many altcoins now tend to mirror its performance. However, there are periods of exceptions where some altcoins experience notable rallies independently. At the time of writing, Ethereum commands the largest share of the altcoin market cap with $314.2 billion. Other altcoins collectively hold a market cap of $438.48 billion, while stablecoins have a market cap of $161.97 billion. 

The most impressive gains currently go to Sun Token, a stablecoin swap token based on TRON, which has gained 305% in seven days. Memecoins Dogwifhat (WIF) and POPCAT have also gained 32.7% and 76%, respectively, in the same timeframe.

Undoubtedly, altcoins will continue to see varying degrees of performance based on their individual utility and market adoption. 

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView



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Marathon Digital Raises $1B to Expand Bitcoin Holdings

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Marathon Digital Holdings, one of the largest Bitcoin miners, has completed a record $1 billion offering of 0% convertible senior notes due 2030. The net proceeds from the sale were approximately $980 million.

According to the firm’s statement, the net proceeds will be primarily used to buy Bitcoin

Marathon Digital Holds over $2.5 Billion Worth of Bitcoin

After its last purchase in September, Marathon Digital’s Bitcoin holdings stand at 25,945 BTC. This is currently worth approximately $2.52 billion, as Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $98,000 earlier today. 

However, the company’s decision to expand its holdings potentially points to a larger bullish cycle for the token in the long term. According to its press release, Marathon Digital plans to use $199 million of the net proceeds to repurchase existing convertible notes due 2026. 

The remainder will be used to acquire additional Bitcoin and for general corporate purposes. Marathon Digital is currently the second largest Bitcoin holder among publicly traded companies. 

marathon digital bitcoin holdings
Bitcoin Holdings by Public Companies. Source: CoinGecko

The notes offer flexibility, with options for conversion into cash, shares of Marathon’s common stock, or a combination of both. Redemption terms include the ability for the company to redeem the notes at full principal value plus accrued interest. 

“$1 Billion. 0% interest. MARA has completed the largest convertible notes offering ever amongst BTC miners. The mission, as always: Provide value. Acquire #bitcoin,” the company wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

Increasing Bitcoin Acquisition Among Public Firms 

Marathon Digital is following an ongoing trend of public companies increasing their Bitcoin holdings in this bull market.  Earlier this week, MicroStrategy announced plans to issue $1.75 billion in convertible notes maturing in 2029. The proceeds will be used to fund additional Bitcoin purchases. 

On the same day, the company secured $4.6 billion worth of Bitcoin, building on a $2 billion acquisition from the prior week. 

Bitcoin’s all-time high and these aggressive purchases propelled MicroStrategy’s stock price by nearly 120% in a single month. The largest Bitcoin holder also entered the list of top 100 public companies in the US. 

Meanwhile, Marathon Digital has faced challenges despite its growing Bitcoin reserves. The company reported a $125 million net loss in Q3. This was driven by a $92 million year-over-year increase in operating costs. 

However, its operational capacity has strengthened. Earlier this month, its energized hash rate surged by 93%, signaling increased mining efficiency. Marathon Digital also signed an $80 million agreement with the Keynan government to expand its Bitcoin mining capabilities. 

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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cbBTC Surges Past $1 Billion as Coinbase Ends WBTC Support

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Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto exchange, has announced it will suspend trading for Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) on December 19, 2024, at approximately 12 p.m. ET.

The decision, revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter), cites a routine review of its listed assets to ensure compliance with listing standards. 

Coinbase Sidesteps WBTC Amid cbBTC Boom

The suspension will apply to both Coinbase Exchange and Coinbase Prime. Although trading will cease, WBTC holders will retain full access to their funds and the ability to withdraw them at any time. In preparation for the transition, Coinbase has moved WBTC trading to a limit-only mode, where users can place and cancel limit orders while matches may still occur.

“Coinbase will suspend trading for WBTC (WBTC) on December 19, 2024, at or around 12 pm ET. Your WBTC funds will remain accessible to you, and you will continue to have the ability to withdraw your funds at any time. We have moved our WBTC order books to limit-only mode. Limit orders can be placed and canceled, and matches may occur,” Coinbase detailed.

Coinbase’s move to suspend WBTC comes amid the rapid success of its wrapped Bitcoin token, cbBTC. Recently, cbBTC surpassed a $1 billion market capitalization, reflecting growing adoption and trust within the crypto community. This milestone has further cemented cbBTC’s position as a strong competitor to WBTC in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.

oinbase’s cbBTC Bitcoin Wrapper Supply and Market Cap Chart
Coinbase’s cbBTC Bitcoin Wrapper Supply and Market Cap Chart. Source: Dune

As of this writing, data on Dune shows that cbBTC market capitalization has increased to $1.44 billion. CBTC’s native availability on networks like Solana, Ethereum, and Base has significantly expanded its accessibility, with Arbitrum being the latest addition.

“cbBTC is live on Arbitrum. cbBTC is an ERC-20 token that is backed 1:1 by Bitcoin (BTC) held by Coinbase. It is natively available on Arbitrum and securely accessible to more users across the Ethereum ecosystem,” Coinbase shared on Tuesday.

Additionally, prominent DeFi protocol Aave is targeting cbBTC for its Version 3 (V3) platform, enhancing its utility within the ecosystem. This growing momentum may have played a key role in Coinbase’s decision to phase out WBTC trading.

WBTC Core Team Urge Coinbase to Reconsider

The team behind Wrapped Bitcoin expressed regret and surprise at Coinbase’s decision. In a statement on X, WBTC’s core team emphasized its commitment to compliance, transparency, and decentralization. 

“We regret and are surprised by Coinbase’s decision to delist WBTC…We urge Coinbase to reconsider this decision and continue supporting WBTC trading,” the team said.

The statement outlined WBTC’s longstanding reputation for novel mechanisms, regulatory compliance, and decentralized governance. Highlighting its seamless integration with DeFi protocols, WBTC described itself as an essential liquidity solution for Bitcoin users. Urging Coinbase to reconsider, WBTC reaffirmed its readiness to address any concerns or provide additional information to support its case.

Meanwhile, Coinbase’s announcement has sparked mixed reactions across the crypto community. Some users criticized the exchange, suggesting the decision reflects an inability to handle competition.

“Coinbase can’t handle fair competition?? WBTC superior to cbBTC” said Gally Sama in a post.

Nevertheless, others support the move, citing concerns over WBTC’s custody model, with one user referencing BitGo’s recent adoption of a multi-jurisdictional custody system.

“You put custody in the hands of a fraud. What did you think was gonna happen?” the user expressed.

This critique aligns with growing fears about Justin Sun’s involvement in WBTC’s custody processes, as BeInCrypto reported recently. Some users have acted preemptively to avoid potential risks, with one commenter sharing their reservations.  

“When Sun got on the multisig for WBTC, I sent all my WBTC on OP to Coinbase and exchanged for true BTC that I withdrew to my hardware wallet… You gave me confirmation just now that I made the right move,” they wrote.

The decision to suspend WBTC trading could mark a pivotal moment in the competition between wrapped Bitcoin solutions. While cbBTC’s integration across multiple blockchain networks has gained momentum, skepticism surrounding WBTC’s custody model and leadership has intensified.

Justin Sun has voiced criticism of Coinbase’s cbBTC strategy, labeling it a setback for Bitcoin’s broader adoption. As the debate continues, the industry watches closely to see whether Coinbase’s cbBTC will solidify its dominance or if WBTC can regain its position as a leading wrapped Bitcoin solution. Regardless, the shifting dynamics reflect the importance of transparency, governance, and community trust in shaping the future of DeFi.

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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Bitcoin Faces ‘Bank Run’ Risk, Cyber Capital’s Bons Warns

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Bitcoin (BTC) may be at risk of a catastrophic “bank run,” according to Justin Bons, founder and CIO of Cyber Capital.  

A bank run is when customers withdraw their deposits from a financial institution over fears of insolvency. 

Bitcoin Cannot Handle Mass Exits, Bons Says

In a detailed social media thread, Bons highlighted critical flaws in Bitcoin’s transaction capacity, self-custody model, and network security. In his opinion, these could lead to a crisis that would destabilize the network and devastate investors. 

Bons’ analysis centers on Bitcoin’s limited transaction processing capability, which he calculated at approximately seven transactions per second (TPS). Using data from Glassnode and Bitcoin’s code, he argued that Bitcoin’s 33 million on-chain users would face a bottleneck if a mass panic triggered simultaneous exits. 

“At this rate, the queue would be 1.82 months long under optimal conditions. However, in reality, transactions would get stuck and eventually be dropped, making it impossible for smaller parties to exit unless they pay exorbitant fees,” Bons explained.

Bons warned that this limitation could lead to a “death spiral,” where a price crash forces miners to shut down, slowing the network further. The resulting delays could deepen the panic, creating a vicious cycle of declining hash rates, prolonged block times, and falling prices. 

Further in his critique of BTC, Bons claimed Bitcoin’s transaction capacity is insufficient for real-world use. He compared Bitcoin’s 7 TPS to other systems, such as Visa’s 5,000 TPS, or even competitors in the crypto space that exceed 10,000 TPS without sacrificing decentralization. 

“There are literally ZERO use cases that can be supported by 7 TPS. Mass self-custody over BTC is a dangerous narrative. The only scalable path forward for BTC adoption is through centralized custodians and banks, contradicting its ethos as ‘freedom money’,” he stated.  

Bons also questioned Bitcoin’s long-term sustainability, citing its shrinking security budget. This, in his opinion, is a critical issue that could exacerbate the risks he outlined. The thread also touches on Bitcoin’s deviation from its original vision as “peer-to-peer (P2P) electronic cash.” He lamented that the network’s constraints and governance have turned it into a speculative asset rather than a practical medium of exchange. 

Bons’ remarks ignited a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter). Patrick Flanagan, a self-described tech expert, dismissed the claims.

“This is pure fantasy. If this was going to occur, it would have occurred years ago,” Flanagan argued.

Bons rebutted, asserting that the risk increases as the number of users grows. He noted that even a fraction of users leaving could trigger a run and added that the larger the network gets, the more severe the problem becomes.

Other users highlighted potential alternatives, such as trading wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) on Ethereum, which bypasses Bitcoin’s base layer limitations. Bons acknowledged this but noted that wrapped BTC users could exit quickly while on-chain users would be trapped, exacerbating the sell-off.  The discussion also extended to Bitcoin’s self-custody model.

“This is something that self-custody advocates should pay attention to. One tiny bit of FUD and everyone gets their money stuck,” DashPay’s Joel Venezuela remarked.

Bons responded, acknowledging the difficult position he finds himself in as a cypherpunk and self-custody advocate. Another user raised a comparison to gold, questioning how long it would take to liquidate global gold holdings. Bons countered that while gold also has practical limits, its theoretical transaction capacity far exceeds Bitcoin’s, making it less susceptible to such bottlenecks. 

Critics of Bons’ analysis argue that Bitcoin has weathered similar concerns in the past without collapsing. However, his warning adds to a growing chorus of voices calling for a reevaluation of Bitcoin’s scalability and usability. 

Despite his grim outlook for Bitcoin, Bons remains optimistic about the broader cryptocurrency space. “There is much hope left for cryptocurrency as a whole,” he concluded, suggesting that Bitcoin’s original ethos now thrives in other blockchain projects. 

Meanwhile, while Bitcoin remains the dominant cryptocurrency, debates over its scalability and resilience continue. Bons’ warning serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Bitcoin faces as it seeks broader adoption in a changing financial space. Elsewhere, Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz has almost similar reservations about a Bitcoin reserve in the US.

“I think that it would be very smart for the United States to take the Bitcoin they have and maybe add some to it… I don’t necessarily think that the dollar needs anything to back it up,” Novogratz claimed.

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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