No, Goldman Sachs isn’t a bearish indicator for Bitcoin

HomeCrypto News

No, Goldman Sachs isn’t a bearish indicator for Bitcoin

Peter Brandt, a well-liked veteran dealer and CEO of proprietary buying and selling agency Issue LLC, just lately gave his ideas on Goldman Sachs d


Peter Brandt, a well-liked veteran dealer and CEO of proprietary buying and selling agency Issue LLC, just lately gave his ideas on Goldman Sachs doubtlessly restarting its cryptocurrency desk.

On Dec. 21, 2017, the same Bloomberg piece said that Goldman Sachs would arrange a cryptocurrency buying and selling desk, though the financial institution was “nonetheless attempting to work out safety points.”

Though Brandt’s chart appears important, one wants to know that such hypothesis had been ongoing for a few months. The Wall Road Journal already lined Goldman Sachs’ intention to do that on Oct. 2, 2017.

Even when we disregard the precise date, Goldman Sachs apparently ditched these plans to launch its Bitcoin (BTC) buying and selling desk. However extra importantly, there aren’t many similarities between the 2017 bull run and the present market when it comes to their constructions.

Bitcoin market cap, quantity late-2017, USD billion. Supply: TradingView

Take discover of how BTC quantity soared from a $2 billion common each day quantity in November 2017 to $14.6 billion by year-end, a sevenfold enhance. The incoming retail demand was so spectacular that it precipitated the exchanges Binance, Bitfinex and Bittrex to reject new customers quickly.

Binance accounts had been even bought by customers on to different customers on the time when no new sign-ups had been being accepted. In different phrases, there may be at the moment no retail frenzy in Bitcoin much like what occurred in late 2017. In truth, the present bull cycle seems to be pushed by establishments which might be seemingly scooping up BTC on each dip. 

Bitcoin market cap, quantity, USD billion. Supply: TradingView

In the meantime, the $66 billion each day common traded quantity seen on Feb. 22, as Bitcoin’s market capitalization peaked at $1.09 trillion, had been comparatively flat for the earlier six weeks.

Due to this fact, an skilled technical analyst reminiscent of Brandt ought to have added the caveat that quantity is probably the most related market participation indicator — which he steadily emphasizes in his different analyses.

To settle this distinction for good, one wants to know the fundamentals of futures markets. Derivatives exchanges cost both perpetual futures longs (patrons) or shorts (sellers) a charge each eight hours to maintain a balanced threat publicity. This indicator, generally known as the funding fee, will flip optimistic when longs are those demanding extra leverage.

Bitmex BTC perpetual futures weekly funding fee, late-2017. Supply: TradingView

Because the above chart signifies, patrons had been keen to pay as much as 40% per week to leverage their lengthy positions. That is totally unsustainable and an indication of utmost optimism. Any market downturn would have precipitated cascading liquidations, with the BTC value accelerating to the draw back.

BitMEX BTC perpetual futures weekly funding fee. Supply: TradingView

Such exorbitant charges not exist, albeit the present 4% weekly funding fee has been the very best since June 2019. However, scales of magnitude decrease than late-2017 outrageous retail-driven lengthy leverage frenzy.

Lastly, one ought to think about that December 2017 marked the launch of CME and CBOE futures contracts. As Cointelegraph astutely put again then: This unprecedented occasion may have a major influence on the Bitcoin financial system.” Looking back, this appears to have been the height euphoria sign the bears had been ready for. Thus, Goldman Sachs balking was probably the impact, not the trigger. 

However whereas Brandt has turn out to be well-known within the cryptocurrency house for anticipating the 80%-plus correction after the 2017 Bitcoin value high, his monitor report has been much less spectacular in current instances. 

So, to sum up, there may be zero proof to assist Brandt’s principle except for a single occasion that occurred as soon as within the 11 years of Bitcoin buying and selling. To not point out that the 2017 Goldman Sachs cryptocurrency buying and selling desk rumors had been going for some time.

The views and opinions expressed listed below are solely these of the author and don’t essentially replicate the views of Cointelegraph. Each funding and buying and selling transfer includes threat. You must conduct your individual analysis when making a call.





cointelegraph.com