US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Surpass $150 Billion in Trading Volume
The trading volume of US spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) has reached a significant milestone, surpassing $150 billion on March 19. This achievement is noteworthy considering the relatively short time these ETFs have been in the market, having been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) less than three months ago. However, despite this milestone, the market has faced challenges, including record net outflows and a decline in Bitcoin’s price.
Record Trading Volumes and Market Dynamics
The cumulative trading volumes of US spot BTC ETFs exceeding $150 billion reflects a significant level of interest and participation in the cryptocurrency market. Notably, a substantial portion of this volume was recorded within a short span, with $50 billion added since March 8 alone. On March 19, trading volumes reached $5.6 billion, with BlackRock’s IBIT, Grayscale’s GBTC, and Fidelity’s FBTC leading the way.
Market Share Shifts
Despite the overall increase in trading volumes, Grayscale’s GBTC experienced a decline in market share due to daily outflows. In contrast, BlackRock’s IBIT saw a significant increase in market share from 22.1% to 45.2% since its inception.
Record Bitcoin Spot ETF Outflows and Vulnerabilities
The inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency market was evident in the net outflow of $326.2 million from US spot Bitcoin ETFs. This outflow surpassed the previous record set earlier in the year. Grayscale’s GBTC experienced significant withdrawals during this period, indicating investor caution amid fluctuating market conditions.
Liquidity Limitations
Spot Bitcoin ETFs have faced criticism from Peter Schiff, who highlighted a major drawback: their liquidity is limited to the operational hours of the US market. This means that if a market downturn occurs outside these hours, investors are unable to sell their holdings until the US market resumes trading. Schiff expressed frustration at the inability to react to overnight market movements.
Hot Take: US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Gain Momentum, But Face Challenges
The trading volume of US spot Bitcoin ETFs reaching $150 billion demonstrates the growing interest in cryptocurrencies. However, challenges such as net outflows and liquidity limitations remind us of the inherent volatility and risks associated with these financial instruments. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these ETFs adapt and attract more investors.
Sources: The Block, Bitcoinist, Bitcoinist, Bitcoinist
By
By
By