Markets
Bitcoin falls for fourth straight day as global stocks hit record highs
(Bloomberg) — Bitcoin fell for a fourth straight trading session, part of a broader selloff in cryptocurrencies that contrasts with recent record highs in global stocks.
Bloomberg’s most read articles
The digital asset lost 2.5% to trade at around $56,870 as of 9:25 a.m. Friday in Singapore, while smaller coins like Ether and XRP also suffered losses.
Cryptocurrency speculators are currently facing a series of challenges, including declining demand for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States, signs that governments are dumping seized tokens and the difficult-to-parse impact of U.S. political fluctuations.
On top of that, administrators of the bankrupt Mt. Gox exchange are gradually returning a stockpile of bitcoin to their creditors. Speculators are unsure how much of the $8 billion will ultimately be sold. A wallet linked to Mt. Gox transferred $2.7 billion worth of bitcoin on Friday, according to Arkham Intelligence.
Correlations are fraying
Meanwhile, the MSCI Inc. global stock index is hovering near a record high, and the short-term (30-day) correlation between Bitcoin and the index is plummeting. The question is whether the risk aversion to cryptocurrencies is isolated or whether it also signals a cautious quarter for traditional investments after a strong first half for stocks.
“There’s a general lack of buzz in the cryptocurrency markets right now,” said Stefan von Haenisch, head of trading at OSL SG Pte. “Most of the news that’s circulating right now, like the Mt. Gox selloff, is more bearish in nature.”
Von Haenisch said the cryptocurrency needs more dovish notes on monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, adding that “one to two rate cuts, coupled with an expansion of the Fed’s balance sheet, are two key ingredients that cryptocurrency is really waiting for.”
Investors are looking to U.S. jobs data later Friday for the latest indications of the Fed’s policy outlook. Recent disappointing economic reports have strengthened the case for the U.S. central bank to ease monetary policy in the coming months.
Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $73,798 in March, boosted by surprisingly strong demand for the first U.S. ETFs for the token. Inflows have since tapered off, dragging bitcoin lower and casting a shadow over the rest of the digital asset market.
Approvals for the first U.S. ETFs for the No. 2-ranked Ether token are pending, but interest in the products could be muted if the cryptocurrency selloff continues.
The story continues
Bloomberg Businessweek’s Most Read Articles
©2024 Bloomberg LP