3 Key Points
- Bitcoin revisits the $44,000 threshold for a second session, showing market resilience.
- Developments in Bitcoin ETFs and Coinbase’s expansion underline notable crypto activities.
- Elon Musk’s discourse with Cathie Wood hints at future payment integrations for X.
Market Update: Bitcoin Shows Steadiness Above $43,000
Bitcoin ticked up slightly by 0.47% this past Thursday, sustaining momentum that added to the previous day’s 3.35% climb. The cryptocurrency closed Thursday’s session at $43,895, marking a noteworthy return to the $44,000 level across two days. Regulatory actions potentially influenced these moves as the SEC heightened its involvement, pressing for a transition to Cash Creations for BTC-spot ETF hopefuls.
SEC Heightens Scrutiny on Crypto ETF Proposals
Efforts by the SEC to modulate the structure of crypto funds appeared to intensify on Thursday. The agency encouraged issuers to shift from In-Kind to Cash Creations for their ETF structures. Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst Eric Balchunas shared insights, noting multiple calls between the SEC and issuers to confirm the cash creation stipulation emphatically. Colleague James Seyffart joined with a bold 90% likelihood of the SEC greenlighting BTC-spot ETFs by January 10th.
Elon Musk Envisions Future Payment Options
During a discussion on X Spaces with Cathie Wood, Elon Musk projected that X’s payment service licenses would be in place by mid-2024, setting the platform to potentially rival heavyweights like PayPal. Dogecoin’s market responded to these possibilities, with DOGE rising 3.84% on Thursday, although settling slightly lower on Friday.
Coinbase Fosters International Presence
Coinbase news rippled through the market as France approved the platform as a registered crypto asset service provider (VASP). The platform’s authorization in France boosts its international strategy, offering a complete range of services to French customers. Interest in Coinbase rose, reflected by a 3.81% increase in COIN shares, touching a peak not seen since April 2022.
Technical Indicators Show Positive Sentiments for Bitcoin
Bitcoin maintained positions above both the 50-day and 200-day EMAs, supporting bullish sentiment. Eyes are on the possibility of Bitcoin breaking the recent resistance, paving the way for higher levels. However, market dynamics, additionally influenced by regulatory development, will continue to play a critical role in the trajectory.
Ethereum Maintains Bullish Indications
Ethereum too showed similar patterns, staying above key EMAs. The crypto community observes whether ETH can surpass the $2,250 threshold, which could signal strength towards a higher resistance level. The 14-day RSI establishes room for growth before overbought conditions emerge, providing a cautious yet positive outlook for the cryptocurrency.
