Altcoins Take the Spotlight as Bitcoin Trades Flat After Spot ETF Debut
Altcoins stole the show on Wednesday as bitcoin remained relatively stagnant following the recent launch of spot ETFs in the United States. Chainlink, the decentralized oracle network that connects blockchains, experienced a 6% increase in the value of its LINK token. This surge came after the company announced the integration of its cross-chain interoperability protocol (CCIP) with Circle’s cross-chain transfer protocol on Tuesday. Meanwhile, bitcoin continued to hover around the $42,700 mark. Other altcoins that saw significant gains included Render’s RNDR, which climbed 12%. Render is a platform that allows users to contribute unused GPU power to assist in rendering motion graphics and visual effects for various projects. Solana’s SOL also experienced a 5% increase during the same time period.
While many skeptics predicted a decline in bitcoin’s price following the approval of ETFs, Fidelity’s Jurrien Timmer does not expect the sell-off to continue for much longer. In a thread on X, Timmer, Fidelity’s Director of Global Macro, stated that the current trends in bitcoin’s price suggest a short-term positioning adjustment rather than a long-term trend reversal. Although some experts forecasted a potential drop in bitcoin’s price with support levels between $32,000 and $38,000, Timmer anticipates a consolidation of recent gains. He posted on X, “The short-term question is whether this is a sell-the-news moment. My guess is that it will take a little time to consolidate the recent gains, now that the big moment has arrived. There were more than a few participants who ‘equitized’ future spot positions through either the futures market or bitcoin-sensitive equities.”
In other news, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, the parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, have requested the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The exchange sought to recover funds it alleges were fraudulently transferred and aimed to “recover millions of dollars” from Bankman and Fried in September 2023. However, less than two months later, their son, Bankman-Fried, was found guilty on all seven charges of defrauding customers and the United States. His sentencing is expected in March. Bankman and Fried, both professors at Stanford Law School, argued that Bankman did not have a fiduciary relationship with FTX and did not serve as a director, officer, or manager. They further stated that even if a fiduciary relationship existed, FTX failed to plausibly allege a breach.
The chart of the day highlights the trends in bitcoin and the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which measures the greenback’s exchange rate against major fiat currencies. The DXY reached a four-week high of 103.58 early Thursday, signaling bearish cues for stocks and bitcoin. Interestingly, bitcoin’s rally in the fourth quarter coincided with the downtrend in the dollar.
Overall, altcoins have taken center stage as bitcoin remains relatively stable after the introduction of spot ETFs. While some experts predict a short-term adjustment in bitcoin’s price, others anticipate a consolidation of recent gains. Additionally, a legal battle ensues between FTX and the parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, who have requested the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to recover allegedly fraudulently transferred funds. The relationship between bitcoin and the U.S. dollar index continues to be closely monitored as both assets exhibit contrasting trends.