Traders wait for Grayscale vs. SEC verdict as liquidations deteriorate crypto markets

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Written on Aug 18, 2023

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Massive liquidations have seen Bitcoin tumbling toward the $25K mark.
Negative sentiment dominates the cryptocurrency market.
Meanwhile, traders eye Friday’s verdict on the Grayscale vs. SEC suit.

The cryptocurrency market has plummeted relentlessly, with liquidations exceeding $1 billion. Such developments and a weak market structure could have welcomed the massive price plunges. Bitcoin flashed bearish signals after news of SpaceX selling its entire BTC stash.

$COIN #Bitcoin has been slipping this week.
A few potential drivers for the move:
Treasury yields have surged as investors worry about more interest-rate increases, and that has weighed on riskier assets.

Elon Musk's SpaceX wrote down its bitcoin holdings and has sold the…

— Don Dion (follow me and read the pinned) (@DonDion35974931) August 18, 2023

Moreover, the fragile global economy, including China’s Evergrande bankruptcy updates and crashing treasury bonds, triggered the historic crypto liquidation in 2023.

Weakening China’s economy and banking worries saw the United States stock market plunge this week. For instance, invezz.com reported HSBC shares dipped amid crisis in China’s real estate industry. Meanwhile, the latest long liquidations and possibilities of more rate increases amidst a deteriorated market triggered price dips.

Traders eye Friday’s Grayscale vs. SEC verdict

Market participants will likely shift focus to Friday’s Grayscale vs SEC ruling. The verdict is essential as it will offer market direction. A win for Grayscale will increase the chances of Bitcoin ETF approval this year.

????Reminder ????

Today (Friday) at 11:00 am EST / 3:00 pm GMT, the verdict in Grayscale vs. the SEC could be released. @Grayscale wants to convert its #Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into an spot #BitcoinETF. The odds are in favor of Grayscale. https://t.co/NWyJzkP1jG

— Jake Simmons (@realJakeSimmons) August 18, 2023

Grayscale seems confident of a win. For instance, they are looking to onboard a senior ETF Associate as the lawsuit ruling nears the end. Moreover, GBTC remains strong even as Bitcoin prices weaken.

What triggered Bitcoin’s sudden fall

Reports of tech firm SpaceX selling its $373M Bitcoin staff grabbed market attention recently. Considering the company’s influence and its CEO Elon Musk, such updates catalyzed downside pressure in the crypto sector, which resorted to downsides two hours after the news.

Also, the US Fed’s expectations of further rate hikes likely influenced price declines in the broader market. The hikes impact risk assets, resulting in possible pullbacks. Moreover, an absence of positive news recently and the ongoing gloomy market conditions bolstered the sell-off.

Bitcoin price outlook

Bitcoin recorded a swift 8% dip on 18 August, leaving the broad market tumbling. Various factors, including the overall economic landscape and SpaceX’s Bitcoin sale, catalyzed the sudden price decline.

However, Bitcoin noted a minor recovery shortly after the rapid drop, changing hands at $26,430 at press time. Speculations of the SEC potentially authorizing an Ether Futures ETF product likely triggered the slight price surge.