Bitcoin has shown minimal movement in recent months. Following a great start to the year, it has stayed flat. Since July, the cryptocurrency has bounced between USD 56,000 and USD 63,000. This compares drastically with the first half of 2024, when it increased by 45%. The increase was mostly driven by U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the spot price.
Market players are currently looking for possible change triggers. Many are anticipating year-end developments and early 2025. Broader influences, such as changes in U.S. interest rates, can have an impact. Traders anticipate BlackRock's new spot bitcoin ETF options to rekindle demand. The Securities and Exchange Commission's approval has created a stir.
Jake Ostrovskis, a Wintermute merchant, remains optimistic. He believes that these choices have the potential to attract individual investors in the United States. Youwei Yang, chief economist at BIT Mining, worried about the regulatory permits required. Options may also require permission from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Overall, expectation of US ETFs has enhanced bitcoin's global activity. The overall bitcoin market has increased tremendously. It was USD 2.2 trillion as of October 1, up from USD 8.3 billion earlier this year. Ostrovskis saw an increase in institutional trading activity and demand for cryptocurrency services.
Despite bitcoin's promise, its volatility remains significant. Its 90-day volatility reduced to 42% this year. In comparison, it was 67% in the middle of 2020. Experts caution that bitcoin is still strongly related to other cryptocurrencies. It might be one of the first assets sold by investors during a period of instability. For example, bitcoin fell 5% last week as tensions in the Middle East rose.
Leading Nations in Cryptocurrency Adoption
Chainalysis' Global Adoption Index tracks cryptocurrency adoption worldwide. It measures activity in 151 countries, outpacing the last cryptocurrency surge. Adoption is particularly significant in low-income countries. Countries with limited access to standard banking systems have the most growth.
India leads the Chainalysis rankings, closely followed by Nigeria. Seven other top nations include growing Asian markets. Countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are notable. Many people in these locations are looking for alternatives to their local currency. This is especially true in countries suffering severe inflation.
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo of Ledn, a cryptocurrency lending service, notices this pattern. He emphasized that the value of bitcoin remained robust. Many people in emerging markets choose to bank in dollars. However, confidence in local banks is frequently low. The United States ranks fourth in terms of cryptocurrency adoption. South Korea and China rank 19th and 20th, respectively. In terms of transaction volumes, the United States tops the world, with India coming in second.
