Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin , Ether and Dogecoin are trading at a monthly high on Wednesday.
Bitcoin, the world’s largest digital currency, broke $26,500 for the first time in over a month to make a high of $29,883, up about 11% over the past 24 hours. It subsequently broke $30,000 — the first time in more than a year.
Ether was trading at $1849, up 7.5%, while Doge was trading up about 6%, according to data from TradingView.
Recently, BlackRock BLK, submitted an application last week for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the U.S.
Additionally, EDX Markets, a cryptocurrency exchange backed by prominent financial entities such as Charles Schwab, Citadel Securities, and Fidelity Digital Assets, has launched its trading services.
Industry experts have weighed in on the phenomenal rise, attributing it to several factors, including institutional interest and economic forecasts.
Bitcoin’s Future Performance
Greg Waisman, COO of payments platform Mercuryo, says Bitcoin’s renewed dominance, accounting for 50% of the market capitalization of the crypto ecosystem, has been spurred by the application for a spot Bitcoin ETF by BlackRock and followed by WisdomTree, Invesco, and Bitwise. “The renewed optimism about a BTC ETF from these financial giants is evidence that Bitcoin holds true potential that will boost its future performance,” Waisman states.
Waisman also emphasizes Bitcoin’s burgeoning momentum as a technology with innovative Layer-2 protocols such as the Lightning Network revolutionizing payments.
“The positive sentiment on its capabilities has contributed to the increasing inflow of funds into Bitcoin worth $3.6 billion over the past few months,” he said.
Macro-Economic Indicators
Raj Kapoor, the founder of the Blockchain Governance Council, highlights the role of the Federal Reserve’s decision to halt rate hikes and suggested that the weakening of the U.S. dollar could also be playing a significant role.
Kapoor opines, “The stronger the macroeconomic environment, the higher the Bitcoin price.”
He further mentions the impact of filings for a Bitcoin ETF by financial giants like BlackRock and Fidelity Investments.
Greg Magadini, Head of Derivatives at Amberdata, a crypto data analytics firm, shares insights into ETH call selling since the ETH Shanghai upgrade.
Magadini said, “This flow is some of the largest, persistent flow, ever seen in ETH options… suggesting this flow is institutional.”
Institutional Involvement As A Catalyst
“NFT: From Zero to Hero” author Anndy Lian attributes the surge in Bitcoin’s price to the growing interest among institutional investors, and specifically notes BlackRock’s launching of a Bitcoin ETF.
“This institutional involvement has sparked optimism among traders regarding Bitcoin’s price,” he said.
Lian also highlights the potential correlation between a declining US dollar index and a favorable macroeconomic climate as factors that may continue to positively impact Bitcoin’s price.
Serenity Shield CEO Venket Naga said increased mainstream adoption and acceptance of cryptocurrencies have attracted more investors and users and growing institutional interest, such as the entry of major financial institutions into the crypto market, has provided a sense of legitimacy and attracted more investors.
“The market’s long-term sustainability depends on continued adoption and addressing concerns like scalability and energy consumption. Continued innovation and practical application of blockchain technology, specifically tailored to address real-world requirements, will play pivotal roles in determining the market’s overall sustainability,” he added.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.