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BTC Falls, BlackRock Eyes Blockchain, and More

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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.



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Will It Smash Another ATH?

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Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above the $104,000 zone. BTC is consolidating above $105,000 and might aim for a new all-time high.

  • Bitcoin started a decent increase above the $102,500 resistance zone.
  • The price is trading above $104,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
  • There was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $104,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
  • The pair could start another increase if it stays above the $103,500 support zone.

Bitcoin Price Regains Traction

Bitcoin price started a decent upward move above the $102,500 zone. BTC was able to climb above the $103,500 and $104,000 levels.

The bulls even pushed the price above the $105,000 level. Besides, there was a break above a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at $104,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The pair surpassed the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $109,112 swing high to the $100,114 low.

Bitcoin price is now trading above $104,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $107,000 level. It is close to the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $109,112 swing high to the $100,114 low.

The first key resistance is near the $107,500 level. A clear move above the $107,500 resistance might send the price higher. The next key resistance could be $109,000.

Bitcoin Price
Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

A close above the $109,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $110,000 resistance level and a new all-time high. Any more gains might send the price toward the $112,500 level.

Downside Correction In BTC?

If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $107,000 resistance zone, it could start a downside correction. Immediate support on the downside is near the $104,500 level. The first major support is near the $103,500 level.

The next support is now near the $102,800 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $100,500 support in the near term.

Technical indicators:

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

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

Major Support Levels – $104,500, followed by $103,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $107,000 and $108,500.



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Trump’s $500 Billion Stargate Venture Sparks AI Crypto Boom

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AI tokens surged on Wednesday after President Donald Trump unveiled a new joint venture to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure. 

The partnership involves major players such as OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank and will form a new entity called Stargate.

Market Focuses on AI Coins as Trump’s Stargate Initiative Gains Traction

The Stargate Project will invest $500 billion over the next four years, building new AI infrastructure in the US. The venture will focus on developing crucial data centers and the electricity generation required to power the AI sector.

The announcement has already had a noticeable impact on the broader market, particularly in AI-related cryptocurrencies. Following the news, the market capitalization of AI tokens surged by 9%, reaching $45.83 billion at press time, according to CoinGecko.

In fact, the market cap of AI agent tokens alone rose by 13% to hit $14.9 billion.

AI agent tokens, such as Virtuals Protocol, AIXBT, and AI16Z, saw impressive gains. Virtuals Protocol rose by over 13% in the past 24 hours, while AI16Z experienced a remarkable 36% increase. AIXBT token rose by 27% over the same period.

AI tokens
Price Performance of AI Agent Tokens. Source: CoinGecko

The surge in AI tokens reflects a broader shift in market interest as investors move capital towards more “sentient” tokens.

“Capital is rotating back from static memes to sentient coins,” AI researcher S4mmy commented on Twitter.

The analyst added that Fartcoin and AIXBT are sustaining their “mindshare dominance,” but face declining market caps after a heated run. Commenting on Virtuals Protocol, he said it continues to solidify its position as a backbone of the Agentic infrastructure.

Moreover, analyst CyrilXBT said he believes “AI will create generational wealth in 2025.”

“People said Bitcoin was a joke. People said AI agents are a gimmick. Guess what else they’ll say? ‘Why didn’t I listen when generational wealth was staring me in the face?,” CyrilXBT commented.

The shift towards AI is particularly interesting, given the trend of investments a few days back. Capital was flowing into Donald Trump-related tokens, such as TRUMP and MELANIA, which have seen significant volatility

However, BeInCrypto reported that smart money traders are now focusing on AI tokens after the hype around TRUMP faded. According to data from Nansen, a substantial amount of VIRTUAL, FARTCOIN, and AIXBT tokens are held by smart money.

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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Will an Upside Break Spark a Surge?

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Este artículo también está disponible en español.

Ethereum price is struggling below the $3,500 resistance while Bitcoin gains. ETH is consolidating above $3,150 and might aim for an upside break.

  • Ethereum failed to gain pace for a close above $3,400 and $3,450.
  • The price is trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
  • There is a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
  • The pair could start another increase if it clears the $3,400 resistance level.

Ethereum Price Aims Key Upside Break

Ethereum price started a decent upward move from the $3,200 level but upsides were limited compared to Bitcoin. ETH cleared the $3,250 resistance to move into a short-term bullish zone.

The bulls were able to push the price above the $3,300 resistance zone. Besides, there was a clear move above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low. However, the bears are still active below $3,400.

Ethereum price is now trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $3,350 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low.

There is also a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first major resistance is near the $3,400 level. The main resistance is now forming near $3,445.

Ethereum Price
Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com

A clear move above the $3,445 resistance might send the price toward the $3,550 resistance. An upside break above the $3,550 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,650 resistance zone or even $3,720 in the near term.

Another Decline In ETH?

If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,400 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,300 level. The first major support sits near the $3,250.

A clear move below the $3,250 support might push the price toward the $3,200 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $3,120 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $3,050.

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 – $3,200

Major Resistance Level – $3,400



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