Bitcoin Faces Bearish Trends Despite Spot ETF Buys – Analyst Explains

• Bitcoin has recently been facing a decline in value despite the acquisition of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
• This phenomenon has been attributed to various market dynamics and investor behaviors.
• Notable cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo provides insights on the factors causing Bitcoin’s downturn.

Explore the underlying reasons for Bitcoin’s performance issues, despite growing institutional interest and ETF purchases.

The Rise of “Paper BTC” and Its Impact

In a recent analysis on X, crypto expert Willy Woo elaborated on why Bitcoin’s price trajectory has been downward, despite buying pressure from spot ETFs and institutional investors.

Initially, Woo identifies the selling pressure from long-term holders (LTHs) as a significant factor. These LTHs, often referred to as HODLers, maintain their Bitcoin holdings for extended periods, rarely selling their digital assets.

When they do decide to sell, these transactions follow a recognizable historical pattern. This trend is illustrated by the Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) metric, which spiked recently, indicating a surge in activity among dormant coins.

The accompanying chart shows this trend, highlighting that when CDD spikes, long-term holders are actively moving their Bitcoin. This pattern is not new, having also occurred during the previous bull runs of 2017 and 2021.

The Influence of Derivative Products

Woo also points out the influence of “paper BTC” on the current market dynamics. Paper BTC refers to derivative products that allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without actually owning the physical asset. This trend significantly impacts Bitcoin’s price movements.

Historically, Bitcoin’s price would experience exponential increases because the primary sellers were original holders and miners. The introduction of paper BTC has altered this landscape, as these derivative products now play a crucial role in market fluctuations.

The below chart displays Bitcoin’s inventory on exchanges, revealing a slight recent increase. It indicates that although there haven’t been massive net deposits of Bitcoin onto exchanges, the inventory of derivative products has been rising.

According to Woo, the increase in paper BTC during the 2022 bear market suggests that these products were instrumental in driving the downturn. Notably, during every rise in paper BTC, Bitcoin’s price rallies have slowed.

Current Market Overview

Recently, the inventory of paper BTC is on the rise again, which could be a key reason Bitcoin is struggling to gain bullish momentum. This buildup in paper BTC suggests that market forces beyond traditional spot trading are at play, affecting Bitcoin’s price action.

Bitcoin saw a brief recovery above $66,000 over the weekend but quickly retracted to approximately $65,300. This fluctuation underscores the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, influenced by both tangible and derivative assets.

Conclusion

The analysis by Willy Woo provides crucial insights into the forces behind Bitcoin’s recent price struggles. Long-term holders’ selling and the rise of paper BTC play significant roles in the current market dynamics. As these factors continue to evolve, they will likely shape Bitcoin’s future performance. Investors must stay informed about these trends to navigate the complex cryptocurrency landscape effectively.