Bitcoin In “Boring Phase”: Here is Why Analysts Think It’s a Good Thing

A metal bull figurine with coins on the table. Bitcoin is nearby. Finance and economics.
Source:AdobeStock
  • Bitcoin has been trading between US$59,985 and US$63,663, indicating a stable phase with limited volatility.
  • The current market sentiment is neutral, with lower trading volume and decreased liquidity, viewed as an accumulation opportunity for large investors.
  • Despite the subdued market activity, some analysts see this as a consolidation phase within an ongoing bull cycle.

Bitcoin is struggling to keep above the US$63K (AU$94.8K) mark, trading in a range between US$59,985 (AU$90,231) and US$63,663 (AU$95,764) for the past week. While this doesn’t exactly constitute a narrow band, it still looks like BTC is stuck for the moment.

Bitcoin (BTC), 7-day graph, source: CoinMarketCap

This “boring” sentiment is mirrored in the neutral Fear-and-Greed index, which is neither here, nor there.

Related: Goldman Sachs, MIT Analysts Split on AI’s Future: Bubble or Breakthrough?

However, founder and CEO of CryptoQuant, Ki Young Ju, said that boring represents an opportunity. When the market experiences less volatility, it often indicates a decrease in trading volume.

Advertisement

This can be attributed to both buyers and sellers taking a step back, waiting for clearer signals before committing to new positions. Without significant price movements, there is less incentive for traders looking to profit from short-term fluctuations, leading to a quieter market.

Opportunity for Whales to Accumulate

In quieter market phases characterised by reduced retail activity and overall lower liquidity, it becomes challenging for any market participant to execute large trades without influencing prices.

Garman-Klass realised volatility, source: CryptoQuant via X

However, sophisticated investors or whales can exploit this lack of noise and reduced competition to accumulate significant positions, Ju added.

They can generally leverage less crowded markets to conduct large transactions more discreetly. This could be via mechanisms like OTC trades that are not immediately reflected in market prices, thereby not exacerbating price volatility despite the lower liquidity.

Continuation of the Bull Cycle

Despite the current low volatility, the analyst believes that the market is still in a bull cycle. The boring phase could be seen as a consolidation period, where the price stabilises before another upward movement.

For strategic investors, a boring market isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Ju said this can be seen as an opportunity to build or adjust positions without the pressure of rapid price movements.

Related: Ancient Ethereum Whale Moves 7,000 ETH to Exchange Kraken

Additionally, further CryptoQuant data shows that the price premium of Bitcoin on Coinbase has dropped to rare negative levels. Historically, similar low readings in November 2022 and August 2023 predicted local price bottoms and were followed by price rallies.

Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Index, source CryptoQuant

Aaron Feuerstein
Author

Aaron Feuerstein

Aaron Feuerstein is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. His focus is on decentralised finance and the regulatory space surrounding blockchain. He holds a Master's in Accounting. When he is not studying the latest legal case, he enjoys his time as a modest but eager hobby cook.

You may also like