Bitcoin crosses over $30k, but there is a catch

A milestone for Bitcoin was witnessed when it danced over the $30,000 mark, marking a striking comeback from previous fluctuations. Yet, every financial fairy tale has its twists, and with Bitcoin, it’s no different.

Here’s why.

The Return to the $30k Club

Bitcoin’s ascent to over $30,000 this week was no fluke. Its strong performance, echoing vibes from its best week since June, offered the crypto community a glimmer of hope. It’s like a prodigious roller coaster ride: thrilling, unpredictable, but undeniably attractive.

This week’s rise wasn’t the first time in 2023 that Bitcoin teased us with the $30k tag. However, what’s intriguing is its inability to sustain the momentum.

Factors? Plenty, but the U.S. regulatory stranglehold on cryptocurrencies is a major buzzkill. It’s been suffocating the very lifeblood of crypto trading – liquidity and volume.

Now, here’s where it gets juicy. The grapevine has it that the looming approval of a Bitcoin ETF could very well be the game-changer.

There’s palpable anticipation in the air that by the close of 2023 or latest, first half of 2024, the regulatory red carpet might finally roll out for the ETF.

Signs of this positive wind of change are evident as several crypto firms, in recent weeks, tweaked their filings to appease the SEC. Let’s not kid ourselves, such moves are hardly out of the blue.

It’s a clear signal that there’s a mutual dialogue between the SEC and these firms. And guess what? It’s looking good. But, keep that excitement on a leash because we’ve been here before, haven’t we?

Turmoil Behind the Scenes

Take a stroll down the memory lane of last week, and you’d recall a surge in trading activity. Our guy, Matteo Greco from Fineqia, puts it down to high volatility.

A staggering $100 million was prematurely celebrated, thanks to a misleading report about BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF nod. It’s like throwing a surprise party but for the wrong person.

Yet, amid these false alarms, the true heroes emerged in the form of revised ETF filings. And it didn’t hurt to have industry heavyweights like BlackRock’s own Larry Fink and hedge fund honcho Paul Tudor Jones vocalizing their take on it.

But let’s not dwell in fantasy. The weekly trading volume from mid to late October, despite being impressive, still couldn’t clinch the top spot. It settled for bronze, marking the third-highest in two months. Not bad, Bitcoin, but we know you can do better.

Also, while Bitcoin’s busy making headlines, let’s not forget the unsung heroes. Ether, the understated yet significant crypto asset, noticed a modest 2.8% rise, while Solana, last week’s crown jewel, managed an uptick of over 1%.

As for stocks, the likes of Coinbase were treading water, but it was Microstrategy, the popular Bitcoin stand-in, which enjoyed a 2% bump. And kudos to the miners.

When Bitcoin smiles, they laugh. Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms, leading the mining brigade, surged by 3% and 6% respectively.

So, as we toast to Bitcoin’s $30,000 waltz, remember, it’s not just about the highs; it’s the journey, the turbulence, and the stories that unfold in the shadows.

And while optimism is the flavor of the day, a dash of skepticism never hurt anyone. After all, in the ever-volatile world of cryptocurrencies, today’s triumph could be tomorrow’s lesson. Let’s hope Bitcoin continues to surprise, but more importantly, sustain.

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