A Historic Moment: Approval of 11 Spot Bitcoin ETFs
The crypto space witnessed a historic moment yesterday with the approval of 11 spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), a development that has been eagerly anticipated since the Winklevoss twins filed for the first proposed Bitcoin ETF back in 2013. This pivotal event coincides with the 15th anniversary of Hal Finney’s tweet “Running Bitcoin,” marking a symbolic milestone in the digital currency’s journey.
Muted Price Reaction Indicates Pre-Factored Approval
Despite the monumental approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bitcoin’s price reaction was muted, maintaining stability around the $46,000 mark. This suggests that the approval had already been factored into the market price. However, the landscape could shift dramatically with today’s commencement of trading for these ETFs.
Potentially Volatile Price Movements Expected
Spot ETFs, which require the acquisition of physical Bitcoins by issuers, could exert direct buying pressure on the market. Combined with high conviction among long-term investors and low Bitcoin reserves on exchanges, this sets the stage for potentially volatile price movements.
Record-Breaking Inflows Projected for Day 1
Bloomberg anticipates a record-breaking $4 billion inflow on the first trading day for spot Bitcoin ETFs, with issuers collectively contributing $312.8 million in Bitcoin seeding. BlackRock’s ETF is particularly notable, with an expected $2 billion in inflows.
Standard Chartered projects $50-100 billion in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows by 2024, potentially driving the price to $200,000 by the end of 2025. Experts believe that intense competition among issuers reflects expectations of substantial capital inflows.
Market Dynamics and Price Predictions
Analysts point out that Bitcoin’s price has not moved immediately post-ETF approval due to wiped-out leverage and existing investor participation. The ETFs can only start accepting capital and acquiring Bitcoin after 9:30 am tomorrow. However, if Bloomberg’s projection of $4 billion inflow on the first day is accurate, the price could reach $50,000-$57,000 by the end of trading on Friday.
Hot Take: The Beginning of a New Era for Bitcoin
The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs marks a significant milestone in the adoption of cryptocurrencies. With record-breaking inflows projected and the potential for volatile price movements, this development is expected to generate global interest in Bitcoin and initiate a new phase in its journey as a mainstream asset class.