The Market Requires A 100%+ Move - Will Buyers Save Bitcoin?
Updated
Here on the left, I've shown the BLX chart (Bitcoin index with the longest price history, plus its log curve) and the broken long term uptrend on the Litecoin chart on the right. Why Litecoin? Well, the 2017 bull market was characterized by astronomical gains for Bitcoin alternatives. At that time, it was about which functioned as the best currency. Litecoin and others were seen as faster, cheaper alternatives to Bitcoin. Litecoin supporters mark a bit of a cross-over between those who believe proof-of-work offers the most secure, stable network and those who prioritize cheaper transactions. Although Litecoin and other currency competitors did well in 2017, they underperformed in 2021, outclassed by coins associated with DeFi, memes, NFT's, the metaverse, and staking. This past bull run was characterized by which had the best "value" proposition and/or the best memes. Needless to say, much of this has already gone up in smoke.
The issue is, the "currency" coins have not held value either, retreating all the way back to levels from the 2018-2019 bear market, while Bitcoin itself barely maintains its price above the 2017 all-time-high, between $19800 and $20100. Most people did not think this was possible a few months ago. Many were still convinced that Bitcoin would hold above $28800 and maintain a bullish trend. Litecoin has broken its long term uptrend, and arguably needs to go up a whopping 4x in value quickly in order to regain the trend. Yet, a currency does not necessarily need to appreciate in value over time. We're now in the utility phase - cryptocurrencies need to prove they have some sort of necessary use-case outside of value appreciation.
Speaking of long term value - we're now at a moment where if the bottom is NOT in, there's very little historical Bitcoin trend support until nearly 9k, where I've drawn my log curve. And I've drawn it generously - I've noticed that before this crash many were drawing their curve so it cut out the COVID crash, seeing it as an anomaly. But if that was an anomaly, what is today's price action?
For many participants in the crypto market, the bottom MUST be in, or at least we must be very close to it. Bitcoin likely could not experience anything greater than another 50% decline from the most recent low ($17600) before total implosion, at least according to the log curve. Some would argue that the market has already imploded, but it seems merely that the over-leveraged players are getting consumed by those with deeper pockets. Just because the smaller, riskier lenders have fallen, does not mean the market is immune to continued systemic risk. The bigger fish need to attract more buyers ASAP, and the bounce needs to be huge - I'm talking a 100% increase at minimum.
So then, the question becomes: What is the probability that Bitcoin will double from current prices and get back above the 40k level in coming weeks? I believe the market needs to see something like this, in order to prove it has any legitimacy as an "asset class." Otherwise, I think this was the final bubble for Bitcoin and crypto. I mean that seriously. Either of these scenarios would work, to inject confidence back in the market, though of course the blue is more severe.
As I've said in my recent posts, any kind of bounce would be perfectly reasonable from these levels - buyers, you're welcome to that 20k Bitcoin at any point....a lot of people are waiting for you *evil smirk, impersonating big exchanges*. My point is that the bounce needs some SERIOUS oooomph behind it. Rising slowly to $33-34k over the course of several weeks just wouldn't do the trick, and it would provide the opportunity for longer term moving averages to solidify themselves as resistance, and could even allow the 200 week MA to flatline and roll over to the downside.
TL/DR: Bitcoin needs to show buyers have strength to take it back to 40k+ quickly, even if it's just an initial impulse, to inject some confidence and liquidity back in the market.
Now, for the warning signs, and what limits the probability of a 100%+ up move.
BROKEN TRENDS
I'll begin by posting a chart of a seemingly random altcoin - TRX.
I think this one is significant because of Justin Sun's relationship to Binance, his own algorithmic stablecoin (USDD), and its apparent refusal to break down from its distribution range. Of the coins I've followed, its the only one that has not dropped substantially, although it finally broke its own uptrend. This shows there is still significant downside risk in pockets of the market.
Something I've been watching for roughly a year now is the ratio of Bitcoin against the S&P 500 index (SPX). It has now experienced an extended decline, interrupting a decade of outperformance.
Based on the above chart, Bitcoin needs to triple soon (at minimum) to regain the trendline and show strength against traditional assets. My theory (as it stands) was that Bitcoin only outperformed because the market expected it to become mainstream one day, and be touted by billionaires and celebrities. Now that it has achieved fame, there is not much to speculate on anymore.
Bitcoin also needs to move up substantially against Gold, in order to continue capturing the "store of value" market share. Currently, it's below the 2017 all-time high, and resting on the highs from mid-2019. Gold is dropping substantially at the moment, so this provides an opportunity for Bitcoin to show some relative strength. But does it have enough fuel to get back above 18-20x and the long term trendline?
If Bitcoin's value proposition TRULY lay in its scarcity, then why did the market find the need to create thousands of other coins? Humans are greedy and expansionist in nature. Sure, having a limited supply of something and conserving it can teach humans to save and to prepare for the future. But in the end, as I've said numerous times, cryptocurrencies are not a resource. Bitcoin *could* be a commodity, but again, the market does not see it as such, which can be viewed in the simple Bitcoin Dominance metric, and implied by its decline during a period of high inflation.
I find that the Bitcoin Maximalist ethos is really about preparing for disaster. But to me, the most important things one can do to prepare for disaster are: CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN PERSON, develop a valuable skill or trade, and manage your risk.
Interpersonal trust is extremely important. This is how movements and change occur, not by building a hypothetical simulation of trust through algorithms on the Internet.
In addition, BACK TO LITECOIN - this thing has now dropped all the way back to its accumulation range from the previous bear market, showing that the last halving did nothing to increase the long term price floor for the asset. Will the same happen to Bitcoin? Litecoin appears to be in danger of heading back to somewhere below $10, should it not QUADRUPLE in the coming weeks.
What does this all mean to the buyer?
This means it's time to position oneself relative to risk tolerance. If you feel there is even a slight probability crypto will be saved by the big buyers, then now seems a decent time to allocate whatever percentage of your liquid capital to this crazy market and just hope for the best. For me at the moment, that's a little under 5%. For some, 5% might be a lot, for others, not so much. The way I see it - if I'm going to increase my exposure back to something like 10%, that's risking 10% for the potential to double my entire capital, since many altcoin projects could rebound 10x from here. That's my absurd logic, and is clearly only gambling. So, in my trading, I'm still considering putting a little bit back into the market near current levels. Yet, something holds me back - I think it's that my belief in the space has waned over the last couple years and I don't see much meaning in buying anything for the long term at this point. I'd rather focus my resources elsewhere. Nevertheless, I continue to post on here, cataloguing my ever-evolving thoughts on the market, and the fascinating history of humankind.
This article represents the opinion of the author, and is not meant as financial advice. It is meant for speculation and entertainment only. Please consult with a professional financial advisor before making significant financial decisions.
-Victor Cobra
The issue is, the "currency" coins have not held value either, retreating all the way back to levels from the 2018-2019 bear market, while Bitcoin itself barely maintains its price above the 2017 all-time-high, between $19800 and $20100. Most people did not think this was possible a few months ago. Many were still convinced that Bitcoin would hold above $28800 and maintain a bullish trend. Litecoin has broken its long term uptrend, and arguably needs to go up a whopping 4x in value quickly in order to regain the trend. Yet, a currency does not necessarily need to appreciate in value over time. We're now in the utility phase - cryptocurrencies need to prove they have some sort of necessary use-case outside of value appreciation.
Speaking of long term value - we're now at a moment where if the bottom is NOT in, there's very little historical Bitcoin trend support until nearly 9k, where I've drawn my log curve. And I've drawn it generously - I've noticed that before this crash many were drawing their curve so it cut out the COVID crash, seeing it as an anomaly. But if that was an anomaly, what is today's price action?
For many participants in the crypto market, the bottom MUST be in, or at least we must be very close to it. Bitcoin likely could not experience anything greater than another 50% decline from the most recent low ($17600) before total implosion, at least according to the log curve. Some would argue that the market has already imploded, but it seems merely that the over-leveraged players are getting consumed by those with deeper pockets. Just because the smaller, riskier lenders have fallen, does not mean the market is immune to continued systemic risk. The bigger fish need to attract more buyers ASAP, and the bounce needs to be huge - I'm talking a 100% increase at minimum.
So then, the question becomes: What is the probability that Bitcoin will double from current prices and get back above the 40k level in coming weeks? I believe the market needs to see something like this, in order to prove it has any legitimacy as an "asset class." Otherwise, I think this was the final bubble for Bitcoin and crypto. I mean that seriously. Either of these scenarios would work, to inject confidence back in the market, though of course the blue is more severe.
As I've said in my recent posts, any kind of bounce would be perfectly reasonable from these levels - buyers, you're welcome to that 20k Bitcoin at any point....a lot of people are waiting for you *evil smirk, impersonating big exchanges*. My point is that the bounce needs some SERIOUS oooomph behind it. Rising slowly to $33-34k over the course of several weeks just wouldn't do the trick, and it would provide the opportunity for longer term moving averages to solidify themselves as resistance, and could even allow the 200 week MA to flatline and roll over to the downside.
TL/DR: Bitcoin needs to show buyers have strength to take it back to 40k+ quickly, even if it's just an initial impulse, to inject some confidence and liquidity back in the market.
Now, for the warning signs, and what limits the probability of a 100%+ up move.
BROKEN TRENDS
I'll begin by posting a chart of a seemingly random altcoin - TRX.
I think this one is significant because of Justin Sun's relationship to Binance, his own algorithmic stablecoin (USDD), and its apparent refusal to break down from its distribution range. Of the coins I've followed, its the only one that has not dropped substantially, although it finally broke its own uptrend. This shows there is still significant downside risk in pockets of the market.
Something I've been watching for roughly a year now is the ratio of Bitcoin against the S&P 500 index (SPX). It has now experienced an extended decline, interrupting a decade of outperformance.
Based on the above chart, Bitcoin needs to triple soon (at minimum) to regain the trendline and show strength against traditional assets. My theory (as it stands) was that Bitcoin only outperformed because the market expected it to become mainstream one day, and be touted by billionaires and celebrities. Now that it has achieved fame, there is not much to speculate on anymore.
Bitcoin also needs to move up substantially against Gold, in order to continue capturing the "store of value" market share. Currently, it's below the 2017 all-time high, and resting on the highs from mid-2019. Gold is dropping substantially at the moment, so this provides an opportunity for Bitcoin to show some relative strength. But does it have enough fuel to get back above 18-20x and the long term trendline?
If Bitcoin's value proposition TRULY lay in its scarcity, then why did the market find the need to create thousands of other coins? Humans are greedy and expansionist in nature. Sure, having a limited supply of something and conserving it can teach humans to save and to prepare for the future. But in the end, as I've said numerous times, cryptocurrencies are not a resource. Bitcoin *could* be a commodity, but again, the market does not see it as such, which can be viewed in the simple Bitcoin Dominance metric, and implied by its decline during a period of high inflation.
I find that the Bitcoin Maximalist ethos is really about preparing for disaster. But to me, the most important things one can do to prepare for disaster are: CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN PERSON, develop a valuable skill or trade, and manage your risk.
Interpersonal trust is extremely important. This is how movements and change occur, not by building a hypothetical simulation of trust through algorithms on the Internet.
In addition, BACK TO LITECOIN - this thing has now dropped all the way back to its accumulation range from the previous bear market, showing that the last halving did nothing to increase the long term price floor for the asset. Will the same happen to Bitcoin? Litecoin appears to be in danger of heading back to somewhere below $10, should it not QUADRUPLE in the coming weeks.
What does this all mean to the buyer?
This means it's time to position oneself relative to risk tolerance. If you feel there is even a slight probability crypto will be saved by the big buyers, then now seems a decent time to allocate whatever percentage of your liquid capital to this crazy market and just hope for the best. For me at the moment, that's a little under 5%. For some, 5% might be a lot, for others, not so much. The way I see it - if I'm going to increase my exposure back to something like 10%, that's risking 10% for the potential to double my entire capital, since many altcoin projects could rebound 10x from here. That's my absurd logic, and is clearly only gambling. So, in my trading, I'm still considering putting a little bit back into the market near current levels. Yet, something holds me back - I think it's that my belief in the space has waned over the last couple years and I don't see much meaning in buying anything for the long term at this point. I'd rather focus my resources elsewhere. Nevertheless, I continue to post on here, cataloguing my ever-evolving thoughts on the market, and the fascinating history of humankind.
This article represents the opinion of the author, and is not meant as financial advice. It is meant for speculation and entertainment only. Please consult with a professional financial advisor before making significant financial decisions.
-Victor Cobra
Note
A year later, and Bitcoin has so far failed to produce a much larger move to the upside, as it grinds along the broken long term uptrend on low volume. Regulation has both confused and upset market participants, as investors try to make sense of what's occurred over the last year. Note
Bitcoin buts up right against a possible broader downtrend channel. A breakout could finally send it up where it needs to be for continued long term price appreciation. A very important test indeed....but where are the buyers? They seem to be FOMOing into altcoins again, highlighting once more the importance of this post. Note
Meanwhile, Litecoin's breakout has so far failed, and we're already almost at the halving event. Note
So, a year later the question of this post has not quite been answered. All I can really say is "sort of."
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