As 2025 begins, the possibility of bitcoin (BTC) experiencing a significant correction in this first quarter is high. However, declining sell-side liquidity suggests the cryptocurrency could also see further gains in the medium term. In the latest edition of the Bitfinex Alpha report , analysts revealed that much of the downside pressure predicted for Q1 2025 may have already eased off during bitcoin’s double-digit correction in mid-December. Because liquidity is drying up, BTC may have a more positive quarter. Bitcoin Sell-side Liquidity Dries Up According to the report, bitcoin’s sell-side liquidity is falling rapidly to multi-month lows. This tightening of available BTC liquidity can be seen in the Liquidity Inventory Ratio, a metric that measures how long current supply can meet demand. In October 2024, the indicator showed that BTC supply could meet demand for 41 months; however, it currently hovers around 6.6 months. During bitcoin’s rallies in the first and fourth quarters of 2024, the market also witnessed this type of decline in sell-side liquidity, indicating that such movements coincide with periods of strong market activity. Bitfinex analysts disclosed that BTC miners are one cohort of market participants driving the plunge in sell-side liquidity. Historically, the market has seen significant spot selling pressure from miners during halving years. This is because these entities offload their reserves and holdings to raise capital to upgrade their machinery and remain afloat as the Bitcoin network slashes their block rewards by half. However, miners have slowed their BTC sales since April 2024. Their asset flows to exchanges have declined even more rapidly since the start of 2025, indicating that they are selling fewer bitcoins. HODLing, Not Selling Noteworthily, miners recorded a slight increase in their flows to exchanges in November 2024 as BTC skyrocketed following the completion of the United States presidential elections, but they have reduced the pace of profit-taking since then. Bitcoin miners are currently in profit, which has allowed them to operate easily. They choose to hold their BTC rather than sell it. “Additionally, the Net Unrealized Profit and Loss NUPL) for miners remains very positive, hovering around 0.5, suggesting that miners are still in a strong position, with substantial unrealized profits and a preference to hold onto their BTC at this stage,” Bitfinex added. Meanwhile, miners are not the only market participants not selling their BTC; long-term holders are also HODLing. The post Bitcoin Positions for Further Gains as Sell-Side Liquidity Dries Up: Bitfinex Alpha appeared first on CryptoPotato .
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Disclaimer: The opinion expressed here is not investment advice – it is provided for informational purposes only. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of BitMaden. Every investment and all trading involves risk, so you should always perform your own research prior to making decisions. We do not recommend investing money you cannot afford to lose.
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XRP ‘Half-Mast Flag’ Pattern Points To $500 Billion Market Cap If Bullish Trend Completes
After a phenomenal 2024, which saw XRP’s price surge from around $0.50 to as high as $2.90, the cryptocurrency is now range-bound, trading at $2.31 at the time of writing. However, a key pattern on the weekly chart suggests that XRP could be on the verge of another significant breakout. Half-Mast Flag Pattern Can Propel The Digital Asset To New Highs XRP, the fourth-largest cryptocurrency with a total market cap of over $134 billion at the time of writing, had a spectacular 2024. The digital asset’s price increased more than five times in less than two months, following its victory in a key lawsuit against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Related Reading: XRP Consolidation Could End Once It Clears $2.60 – Top Analyst Expects $4 Soon In a recent post shared on X, veteran trader and analyst Peter Brandt shared his thoughts on XRP’s potential future price trajectory. Brandt highlighted the formation of a ‘half-mast flag’ pattern on the weekly timeframe, adding that a bullish completion of the pattern may propel XRP to new highs. He noted: Half mast flags should complete within six weeks, otherwise they should be viewed with great suspicion. This flag in XRP needs to rock and roll soon, otherwise it will likely morph into something else TBD. But if it completes, then market cap of $500 B is possible. For the uninitiated, a half-mast flag is a continuation pattern in trading where the price forms a sharp upward movement followed by a brief, shallow consolidation that resembles a flag, typically sloping against the prevailing trend. When the price breaks out of the consolidation phase, it often signals a continuation of the uptrend, potentially leading to higher prices. According to Brandt, a bullish completion to the pattern – a breakout to the upside – could push XRP’s total market cap to $500 billion. If other cryptocurrencies remain range-bound, a $500 billion market cap would make XRP the second-largest digital asset by market cap, surpassing Ethereum (ETH), which currently holds a market cap of $416 billion. However, it’s important to note that in the case of a bearish completion of the half-mast flag pattern, XRP’s price could break down to previous lows, potentially falling to a market cap of around $28 billion. XRP Primed For Major Gains Meanwhile, crypto analyst Mikybull outlined multiple price targets for XRP on the daily timeframe, using Fibonacci extension bands. According to the analyst, a breakout for XRP “is imminent,” with targets as high as $3.74. Similarly, Egrag Crypto recently predicted that XRP may surge to $15 according to the Elliott Wave theory. Further, on-chain data indicates that XRP whales are buying every dip in anticipation of a major rally in the coming weeks. Related Reading: XRP Could Skyrocket 470% If History Repeats, SuperTrend Indicator Suggests That said, concerns remain about XRP bulls’ inability to decisively break through the $2.35 resistance level. At press time, XRP trades at $2.31, down 4.5% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Pexels, charts from X and TradingView.com Crypto Potato