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The U.S. cryptocurrency market continues to face challenges as March’s performance reveals significant outflows in major Bitcoin ETFs.
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Analysts are observing a concerning trend, with nearly all players in the spot Bitcoin ETF market experiencing substantial net negative performances this month.
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According to data from Farside Investors, only Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF managed to achieve a positive influx, defying the prevailing bearish sentiment.
March sees U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs facing over $1.6 billion in outflows, prompting analysts to predict extended bearish trends in the crypto market.
US Spot Bitcoin ETFs had outflows of over $1.6 billion in March
In the first half of March 2023, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs reported a staggering net outflow exceeding $1.6 billion, with inflows totaling only $351 million. This imbalance signals a worrying trend for the cryptocurrency landscape. Analysts are now pointing towards a bear market ahead, which could last up to a year, as investors flee into safer assets.
Among the major players, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) led the way in losses, suffering net outflows of $552 million against a meager $84.6 million in inflows. Similarly, Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) witnessed inflows of just $136.5 million against outflows of over $517 million. The implications of these figures suggest a waning confidence in Bitcoin as an investment vehicle.
This month has also proven problematic for Ether-based investment products, with BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) facing outflows of $126 million — a stark contrast to its zero inflow. Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund (FETH) recorded a loss of $73 million with only $21 million inflow, further accentuating the risk averse behavior from investors in the current market.
Ether ETFs Struggle Amidst Ongoing Market Downturn
The decline in Ether ETFs mirrors the broader struggles within the cryptocurrency market. Despite a brief moment of respite on March 4, when Ether inflows reached $14 million, the rest of the month saw a total of over $300 million in outflows. Such trends highlight the difficulties both Bitcoin and Ether are experiencing as market sentiment reflects a shift towards caution among investors.
The current state of the cryptocurrency market prompts questions about the sustainability of ETF structures designed to track digital assets. With declining inflows, asset managers are now under pressure to address the issues surrounding investor confidence and perceived volatility.
CryptoQuant CEO indicates a prolonged bear market for Bitcoin
The increasingly bearish sentiment surrounding Bitcoin has been echoed by CryptoQuant’s CEO, Ki Young Ju, who declared on March 18 that the Bitcoin bull cycle is over. Ju argues that onchain metrics suggest a prolonged period of sideways or downward price movements. As liquidity fades, new whales entering the market are selling at low prices, raising concerns about the overall health and stability of Bitcoin prices.
This outlook underscores the severity of the current market conditions, as even established investment vehicles like Bitcoin ETFs hesitate amidst a climate of uncertainty. Investors are urged to remain vigilant and reassess their portfolios as they navigate this challenging financial landscape.
Conclusion
As March progresses, the dynamics within the cryptocurrency sector illustrate a clear downturn for spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. With a net outflow of over $1.6 billion for Bitcoin products and similar struggles for Ether investments, the timeframe for recovery remains uncertain. Analysts recommend that stakeholders closely monitor market movements as bearish trends could persist through the coming months, reshaping investment strategies and expectations.
