Bitcoin (BTC) is at the start of another week with China's latest "ban" behind it — but its next "FUD" story is already brewing.The United States'
Bitcoin (BTC) is at the start of another week with China’s latest “ban” behind it — but its next “FUD” story is already brewing.
The United States’ infrastructure bill is back on the table, with this week likely to see a definitive vote on what could shake up cryptocurrency businesses.
At the same time, fundamentals and on-chain metrics alike continue to be more bullish than ever, and traders are betting on — at worst — a moderate price dip to a floor no lower than $36,000.
What are the odds? Cointelegraph takes a look at five things that could move the markets in the coming week.
D-Day for infrastructure bill
The macro narrative switches from China to the United States this week as lawmakers decide the fate of the so-called “infrastructure bill.”
H.R.3684, fresh from Senate approval, should see a final vote on Monday — despite rumors that it may yet be delayed.
The bill includes a contentious description of a “broker,” one which could have far-reaching implications for U.S. crypto businesses. Efforts are still underway to change its language, with figures such as Wyoming senator Cynthia Lummis and advocate Caitlin Long leading the way.
The current text describes a broker as “any person who (for consideration) is responsible for regularly providing any service effectuating transfers of digital assets on behalf of another person.”
.@SenLummis just gave a big shout-out to Sen @RonWyden for their partnership opposing the broad defn of “broker” in the infrastructure bill—a relationship she said will matter to our industry in future too since he’s chair of the tax writing committee in the Senate. #WyoHackathon https://t.co/QRSzn1ilqH
— Caitlin Long (@CaitlinLong_) September 25, 2021
In total as of Sept. 27, the bill has received 539 amendments.
While potentially a thorn in the side of the local crypto industry, H.R.3684 arguably matters little to seasoned Bitcoin hodlers.
Nonetheless, on the back of the latest China “ban” debacle, market sentiment is sensitive to “FUD” stories from any quarter.
“Bitcoin is bipartisan. Digital assets are apolitical,” Senator Lummis summarized on Twitter ahead of voting day.
“Green week” expected across crypto markets
It’s a familiar tale for BTC spot price action this Monday as BTC/USD returns to $44,400.
That heralds the start of a resistance level, which ultimately sparked rejection last week after the pair briefly passed $45,000.
So far, this attempt to break out has not been much different with $44,000 failing to hold at the time of publishing.
Nonetheless, compared to forecasts of a return to the mid-$30,000 range coming as late as Sunday, the latest progress is refreshing.
“I’m expecting a green week for Bitcoin,” Cointelegraph contributor Michaël van de Poppe summarized late Sunday.
The weekly close, a source of contention in recent days, didn’t disappoint, coming in at $43,144 — above the minimum cut-off points that some traders highlighted.
Trader and analyst Rekt Capital had demanded a $43,600 closing price, something which failed to materialize on time but came hours later.
“BTC continues to be sandwiched by the Pi Cycle 111-day MA support and this immediate red resistance area,” he added in further comments.
“This price compression is indeed forming a clear market structure here, perhaps an early-stage Ascending Triangle.”
Lightning Network tops fundamental growth
It’s all smiles for Bitcoin network fundamentals for yet another week running as estimates call for a sixth consecutive difficulty increase.
Following last week’s fifth increase in a row — a rare feat in itself — data suggests that in eight days’ time, Bitcoin will seal a further upward difficulty readjustment. That would be its first six straight increases since mid-2019’s seven.
It’s not just difficulty — the hash rate is now at around 145 exahashes per second (EH/s) and just 23 EH/s away from all-time highs.
The stats are testament to the conviction of miners, as well as to the extent of their comeback since China’s mass exodus just four months ago.
On the consumer side, the story is no less impressive. The Lightning Network, fresh from its El Salvador adoption success story, is nearing 3,000 BTC capacity. Since the start of 2021, that capacity has nearly trebled.
“Public Lightning Network capacity just broke 2,900 BTC. Over 400 BTC has been added in the last 10 days,” investor Kevin Rooke commented alongside an accompanying chart.
“Find me a better looking chart, I’ll wait…”
Lightning constitutes a so-called “Layer 2” protocol, settling BTC transactions off-chain instantly and for next to zero cost.
Last week, Twitter became the first major partner of payment gateway Strike to implement Lightning Network tipping.
Feeling the fear?
Crypto market investors en…
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