Normal Chartered warned that Bitcoin (BTC) may probably slip additional to between $69,000 and $76,500 over the following two days, persevering with its current streak of crimson weekends.
Based on the lender’s head of digital asset analysis Geoffrey Kendrick, the draw back danger is pushed by continued ETF outflows and mounting hedge fund quick place.
ETF outflows and hedge fund shorts
Kendrick detailed rising considerations over the market’s current weak point and lamented the absence of prolonged breaks loved by different markets.
He stated:
“It’s on the finish of weeks like this that digital asset contributors want the asset class closed for the weekend.”
He added that Bitcoin’s drop under $80,000 — as soon as a key resistance stage following Trump’s election victory — raises questions on how far the sell-off would possibly go.
Kendrick’s evaluation pointed to vital ETF exercise as a harbinger of additional declines. He famous that Bitcoin ETF outflows nearly touched $1 billion on Feb. 25, which is a essential threshold. Regardless of the numerous outflows, Kendrick believes the promote strain is probably not over.
He additionally highlighted a rising disconnect between ETF positioning and hedge fund quick publicity based mostly on CFTC knowledge.
Kendrick noticed that for the reason that US election, ETF positions surged from $23.5 billion to a peak of $40.2 billion — now all the way down to $37.0 billion — whereas hedge fund shorts climbed from $7.9 billion to $11.3 billion as of Feb. 18.
Kendrick famous:
“ETF positions are up 71% since Nov. 5, however hedge fund shorts are up solely 43%. This means there’s nonetheless loads (the bulk) of outright longs within the ETFs. To the diploma these stem from underlying retail movement I believe they continue to be vulnerable to panic promoting.”
Geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty
Kendrick revisited his earlier warning concerning draw back dangers, warning that Bitcoin’s key convexity danger stage of $90,000 had been breached.
He had stated earlier within the week:
“Whereas BTC trades comparatively nicely inside the digital asset complicated, it’s now caught up within the broader risk-off sentiment.”
Kendrick added that decrease US Treasury yields would possibly supply long-term assist at the same time as near-term sentiment stays bleak however cautioned towards shopping for the dip earlier than a extra decisive dip.
Looking forward to the weekend, Kendrick expressed skepticism that danger belongings would rally given looming geopolitical tensions and tariff implementations.
He stated:
“In all probability honest to imagine we now have had the Trump tariff noise now… However are danger belongings actually going to rally into the weekend now we now have had the dangerous information? I doubt it.”
Recalling an identical interval in August 2024 — when panic promoting pushed Bitcoin under $50,000 after a fast 5.5% decline — he famous that one other drop of comparable magnitude may see Bitcoin slide into the $69,000 to $76,500 vary.
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