Highlights
- The cryptocurrency market saw a sharp correction in the early US hours, leading to a $120 billion liquidation.
- Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple all faced significant declines, contributing to a 2.5% drop in overall market capitalization.
- On-chain metrics show a significant inflow of cryptocurrencies to exchanges, indicating increased selling pressure.
The cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp correction in the early US hours, with Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) all facing significant declines. The bearish trend led to the liquidation of $120 billion, resulting in a 2.5% drop in the overall market capitalization, now at $2.52 trillion.
BTC, ETH, and XRP Lead Crypto Market Decline
Bitcoin’s price tumbled by over 3%, trading at $67,241. Similarly, Ethereum and Ripple followed suit, with XRP seeing a 1.73% decline to $0.5188. This widespread downturn has affected the broader cryptocurrency market, leading to increased volatility.
On-chain metrics indicate a significant inflow of cryptocurrencies to exchanges. This trend suggests that more investors are preparing to sell their holdings, a common precursor to market corrections. The increase in supply on exchanges often results in lower prices, exacerbating the current bearish sentiment.
Declining engagement and activity further underscore the health of the crypto market. Metrics such as active addresses, transaction volumes, and network activity are all showing signs of decline. This reduced activity indicates waning investor interest and engagement within the crypto ecosystem.
Moreover, the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes contributed to traders’ cautious approach. Many Fed officials expressed concerns about inflationary pressures, suggesting that this might delay or reduce the number of expected rate cuts this year. This cautious stance has added to the negative sentiment in the crypto market.
Regulatory news has also contributed to the recent market downturn. The SEC has maintained a conservative stance on the crypto bill recently approved by the House of Representatives. SEC Chair Gary Gensler emphasized the agency’s readiness for dialogue while continuing to enforce laws ensuring token operators provide necessary disclosures to investors.
The pullback in the crypto market can be attributed to the S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report. The report indicated that the US economy has grown at its fastest pace in two years. This robust economic growth led traders to shift their expectations regarding interest rate cuts, exerting additional pressure on Bitcoin and other digital currencies.
