Mt. Gox repayments test and German BTC sell-off: Bitcoin still bullish?

The text discusses the potential impact of the redistribution of 142,000 BTC from Mt. Gox on the Bitcoin market. It explains that this large influx could create selling pressure and potentially lead to a significant drop in prices if sold rapidly. Alternatively, if sold gradually over several months, it might result in smaller price corrections but could still influence market sentiment negatively. The text also mentions conflicting opinions among analysts regarding the Bitcoin market’s future direction, with some warning of potential drops and others believing there is still room for growth. The text concludes by discussing a possible short squeeze scenario that could lead to sudden price spikes. Overall, the text suggests that investors should stay informed and be prepared for market volatility.


In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin has undergone a significant reversal, causing apprehension among investors. Could a potential short squeeze lead to a renewed surge in buying and restore bullish sentiment?

As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency market, I’m excited to share that in June 2024, Mt. Gox – the once-prominent but now defunct Bitcoin exchange – made a significant announcement that could cause ripples throughout the crypto community. Known for its unfortunate history of losing approximately 850,000 BTC in a 2014 hack, this platform is planning to distribute the recovered assets to its affected creditors.

Nobuaki Kobayashi, acting as the Rehabilitation Trustee, has announced that repayments will begin in early July. This arrangement includes dispersing approximately 142,000 Bitcoins (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), equivalent to around $8.22 billion based on current market values.

The announcement brings welcomed relief to those affected, yet introduces a new level of doubt and possible price fluctuations in the Bitcoin market.

As a financial analyst examining Mt. Gox’s preparations for upcoming Bitcoin repayments, I conducted several trial transactions on July 4th. These tests involved transferring modest amounts of Bitcoin, approximating $25 in total, between various wallets to confirm the system’s readiness.

The German government’s aggressive Bitcoin sales have exacerbated the issue over the past few weeks. On July 4, 2024 alone, they transferred large amounts of Bitcoin worth millions.

Large transactions amounting to $75 million have been made to prominent cryptocurrency exchanges such as Kraken, Coinbase, and Bitstamp. This development has fueled market unease since substantial transfers to exchanges are typically indicative of upcoming sell-offs, which can lead to price decreases.

At present, the German authorities own approximately 40,350 Bitcoins valued at around $2.3 billion. This is a decrease of roughly 20% compared to their previous holding of more than 50,000 Bitcoins on June 19.

As a crypto investor, I’ve witnessed quite a rollercoaster ride in recent days. On July 4th, I watched in disbelief as Bitcoin plunged to a low of $57,000. The sudden decline was fueled by two major developments: the impending Mt. Gox repayments and the German government’s actions. These events hit the market like a ton of bricks, leaving many investors, including myself, scrambling to react.

Bitcoin has reached a 2-month low, while most altcoins have fared even worse. After numerous traders bought in when Bitcoin was approaching $60,000, there’s been a significant sell-off over the past few hours, resulting in many long positions being liquidated for both Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana.

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) July 4, 2024

As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency market, I’ve observed that Bitcoin experienced a slight recovery to approximately $57,800 following its recent decline. However, over the past 24 hours, it has dipped by almost 4%, dropping below its 200-day moving average for the first time since October 2023. This development has heightened anxiety among investors due to the historical significance of this milestone.

As a financial analyst, I’d like to take a closer look at this ongoing situation and its potential impact on Bitcoin prices. Let’s explore the implications in greater detail and consider possible future developments.

Mt. Gox saga and the likely impact of liquidations

Founded in 2010, Mt. Gox was the leading Bitcoin exchange globally, processing around 70% of all Bitcoin transactions at its peak. But its reputation as a trusted platform took a hit following a string of crippling cyberattacks.

In the year 2011, the first significant cyberattack took place against Mt. Gox, resulting in the theft of approximately 25,000 Bitcoins. The value of these stolen Bitcoins amounted to roughly $400,000 at that time. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of Mt. Gox’s issues.

In 2014, a major security incident resulted in the theft of approximately 650,000 Bitcoins from customers and an additional 100,000 Bitcoins from the exchange itself. This represented around 7% of the total circulating supply of Bitcoins, equivalent to about $473 million at a Bitcoin price of around $600 per coin.

As a financial analyst, I’ve closely followed the aftermath of the Mt. Gox hack that occurred in 2014. The incident resulted in the bankruptcy declaration of Mt. Gox, leaving approximately 45 billion yen (equivalent to around $414 million) worth of creditor claims. Since then, I’ve kept tabs on creditors as they’ve endured years of waiting for their lost holdings to be repaid. Now, it seems that this long-awaited resolution could materialize during the current month.

As an analyst, I recognize that the upcoming redistribution of 142,000 BTC may lead to significant market volatility. This substantial addition of Bitcoin could potentially trigger increased selling activity among investors, resulting in a potential price decrease.

To provide a clearer understanding, let’s examine the possible consequences of adding $8.22 billion in Bitcoin to the market. The present daily trading volume for Bitcoin is around $30 billion. This means that injecting $8.22 billion in Bitcoin equates to approximately 27% of the current daily trading volume.

Rapid sales of this quantity could significantly lower Bitcoin’s price. Previous large sell-offs, accounting for around 10-15% of daily trading volume, have resulted in price decreases of up to 20%.

If the market absorbs gradual sales over a span of several months, it’s likely that minor price adjustments ranging from 2-3% may occur intermittently. Although these corrections might be less disruptive, they could still impact overall market sentiment and potentially initiate a downward trend.

What to expect next?

The fluctuations in Bitcoin’s current pricing have caused unease among investors, leaving them pondering which direction the market may take next.

Peter Schiff, a prominent Bitcoin critic and head of Schiff Gold, a gold dealership firm, has heightened concerns in the crypto market by bringing up the significant level of support Bitcoin is currently testing.

Observe that the price of #Bitcoin has reached a crucial point of support. Should it fail to sustain this level, be prepared for potential decreases with significant consequences.

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) July 4, 2024

As an analyst, I would caution that should Bitcoin dip beneath the stated support level, there’s a potential for significant downward price movement. Peter Schiff’s observations frequently surface during market slumps, adding fuel to the anxiety and apprehension felt among investors. Thus, it is imperative to approach his statements with a healthy dose of skepticism.

As a crypto market analyst, I’d like to share an alternative perspective contrasting the pessimistic viewpoint expressed by Schiff. Unlike Schiff, who foresees the end of the crypto boom, I, Michaël van de Poppe, hold a more optimistic stance. In my analysis, there are indications suggesting that the current crypto market cycle has not yet reached its peak. I believe that some of the claims circulating about the demise of the crypto sector may be overstated.

I’ve noticed an increasing number of claims that the peak for cryptocurrencies has been reached. To me, this seems like an exaggeration at best.

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) July 4, 2024

According to Van de Poppe, there’s room for further expansion in the market, and it may yet reach new peaks before experiencing a decline.

As a crypto analyst, I’ve observed that Bitcoin’s price action continues to fall within a particular range. Despite the current downturn in sentiment, I believe that Bitcoin’s market foundation remains robust.

Bitcoin remains within its current price range, unbroken in terms of technical levels. However, investor confidence and positive sentiment have taken a hit.

— IncomeSharks (@IncomeSharks) July 3, 2024

According to renowned cryptocurrency expert Ali, there’s a significant short-term trading signal worth noting. Lately, a noticeable number of Bitcoin traders have chosen to sell Bitcoin in large quantities, resulting in substantial short positions being established around the $59,600 mark.

It seems that the majority of Bitcoin traders have opted to sell, or “short,” Bitcoin at the current price of around $59,600. As a result, there is a significant buildup of these short positions, forming what’s known as a liquidation wall. This means that if the Bitcoin price starts to rise and reaches this level, there could be a large number of traders looking to exit their short positions simultaneously, potentially causing a sharp price drop. Consequently, some traders might be anticipating a surge in buying activity to overcome these shorts, resulting in a significant price increase for Bitcoin.

— Ali (@ali_charts) July 4, 2024

Should Bitcoin’s price surge, short sellers might be forced into buying back their shares, amplifying potential price increases.)

A potential short squeeze situation might result in unexpected and significant price surges, contributing to heightened market instability, suggesting the possibility of increased price fluctuations in the near future.

It’s important to keep yourself updated and ready for possible market fluctuations, be it setbacks or prospects for expansion. Adhere to the cardinal investment guideline: never risk more funds than you’re prepared to part with.

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2024-07-04 17:19