Has the Bitcoin price found a floor?

Something rather remarkable has been happening with the world's original crypto over the past week.

| More on:
a close up of a woman's face looks skywards as she is showered in a sea of graphic symbols of gold and silver coins bearing the bitcoin logo.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The Bitcoin price has gained 5% over the week
  • The NASDAQ is down 1.5% over that same period
  • The world’s first crypto could be breaking its correlation with risk assets as speculators lose their pricing influence

The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price is up 4% over the past 24 hours.

One bitcoin token is currently trading for US$19,555 (AU$30,132).

While that's still below the psychologically important US$20,000 level, something rather remarkable has been happening with the world's original crypto over the past week.

Namely, the Bitcoin price appears to be breaking away from the strongly correlated moves it's had with risk assets, like tech stocks, this year.

Has the Bitcoin price found a floor?

Cryptos are notoriously volatile.

And Bitcoin is no exception.

So far in 2022, the token has almost always mirrored the moves on the tech-heavy NASDAQ, only amplified. When the NASDAQ has gained 5% on dovish noises from the US Federal Reserve, Bitcoin has often gained 10%, or more.

The same pattern can be observed, with significant consistency, in reverse. Meaning any 5% loss posted by the NASDAQ has tended to see the Bitcoin price fall by a good bit more this year.

But this pattern has broken over the past week, potentially signalling the token has found a supportive floor.

You see, since last Wednesday's closing bell (Thursday morning Aussie time), the NASDAQ has dropped 1.5%.

But the Bitcoin price hasn't followed suit. Instead, it's up 5%.

What are the experts saying?

Stephane Ouellette, chief executive of FRNT Financial Inc, said the Bitcoin price could be decoupling from other risk assets as speculator influence appears to be waning.

According to Ouellette (quoted by Bloomberg), "Followers of the ecosystem have been excited to see correlations with risk assets begin to break, meaning the 'fast-money' speculative crowd may be losing their influence on the space."

Billionaire Mike Novogratz, founder of Galaxy Digital Holdings, believes that fewer forced sellers in the crypto space has led to renewed resilience.

According to Novogratz:

We're in this weird equilibrium where there are a few buyers, there are a few sellers, and there's not that energy in the market like you're seeing in the equity market or the bond market where you have to sell, right?

With the Bitcoin price bucking the wider tech selling pressure over the past full week, we'll be watching to see if this 'weird equilibrium' is a flash in the pan or a new longer-term trend.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

A businessman compares the growth trajectory of property versus shares.
Opinions

What's the outlook for shares vs. property in 2025?

The experts have put out their new year predictions...

Read more »

a man sits at his desk wearing a business shirt and tie and has a hearty laugh at something on his mobile phone.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

A young man pointing up looking amazed, indicating a surging share price movement for an ASX company
Broker Notes

These ASX 200 shares could rise 20% to 40% in 2025

Analysts are tipping these shares to deliver huge returns for investors next year.

Read more »

A transport worker walks alongside a stack of containers at a port.
Share Market News

Here's how the ASX 200 market sectors stacked up last week

Industrials came out best amid another bad week for the ASX 200, which fell 2.47% to 8,067 points.

Read more »

Cheerful boyfriend showing mobile phone to girlfriend in dining room. They are spending leisure time together at home and planning their financial future.
Opinions

My ASX share portfolio is up 30% this year! Here's my plan for 2025

The best investing plans shouldn't need too many updates.

Read more »

Animation of a man measuring a percentage sign, symbolising rising interest rates.
Share Market News

Here's when Westpac says the RBA will cut interest rates in 2025

Will the RBA finally take interest rates lower in 2025? Let's see what is being forecast.

Read more »

Shares vs property concept illustrated by graphs in the background and house models on coins.
Share Market News

Shares vs. property: Biggest investment trends of 2024

As another year of investing draws to a close, we review the most significant trends.

Read more »

A woman stares at the candle on her cake, her birthday has fizzled.
Share Market News

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

This Friday was not a merry one for ASX shares...

Read more »