The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a remarkable surge in Bitcoin spot volume, reminiscent of the fervor seen during the 2021 bull market. This resurgence is not just a mere echo of the past but a robust affirmation of enduring investor confidence and a market that is vigorously alive and kicking.
The Resurgence of Bitcoin’s Trading Volume
Bitcoin’s trading volume has soared, reaching a peak of $14.1 billion in March, a figure that aligns with the zenith of the 2020-2021 bull market. This spike in trading activity is a testament to the cryptocurrency’s growing acceptance and the increasing involvement of mainstream financial entities. The introduction of U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs in January has played a pivotal role, accounting for a significant portion of the trading volume and influencing Bitcoin’s spot price.
The weekends offer a clear view of the ETFs’ impact, with noticeable dips in on-chain spot volumes when these funds are inactive. This pattern underscores the substantial influence of institutional investment on the market’s liquidity and dynamics.
Analyzing the Market’s Momentum
The market’s momentum can be gauged by the fast/slow indicator applied to the spot volume. Bitcoin’s 30-day moving average for volume stands at a robust $9.59 billion, dwarfing its 180-day average of $5.95 billion. The net exchange flows, comprising inflows and outflows from Bitcoin exchanges, have reached new heights, averaging $8.19 billion per day.
These figures not only signify a healthy trading environment but also reflect the heightened activity and enthusiasm among traders. The bias towards taker-buy volume on exchanges further emphasizes the market’s bullish stance, with a delta against maker-sell volume reaching $143.6 million in the previous month.
The State of the Bitcoin Cycle
Directly looking at Bitcoin’s price, the cryptocurrency recently surpassed its 2021 all-time high of $69,000 in March and has since been consolidating near that peak. The lack of significant pullbacks after breaking past previous all-time highs suggests that the current bull market is still in its nascent stages, with the term ‘euphoria’ aptly describing the market sentiment.
The capital influx from short-term holders, those holding for less than six months, has reached peaks similar to those observed in the last two bull cycles. This is reflected in Bitcoin’s ‘realized cap,’ which measures the network’s value based on the last movement of each coin.