Market Commentary
Bitcoin consolidated around the US $69,000 – $71,000 mark during the week as it approaches its quadrennial halving event in just under 10 days (expected 20 April). The higher than expected CPI print in the US did not deter buyers as the price of Bitcoin ended positive following the print. Year to date inflows from ETFs were at their highest level at US $13.8 billion.
Firms that gained the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund are not feeling very confident that the agency will greenlight proposals for an Ethereum product, according to reporting from CNBC. Firms including Fidelity and BlackRock have applied for a spot Ethereum ETF and optimism gained steam after the SEC approved 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs in January, but has since dwindled over the past few weeks.
Uniswap Labs (creator of Uniswap; the largest decentralised exchange) received a Wells Notice indicating a potential incoming lawsuit from the SEC. While the SEC has had some cases involving decentralised organisations, this is the first time it has gone after a major protocol. Uniswap’s founder Hayden Adams posted on X “I’m not surprised. Just annoyed, disappointed, and ready to fight. I am confident that the products we offer are legal and that our work is on the right side of history”.
CEO Comment
The Gap between Bitcoin and the S&P 500 has shrunk to 13%, a mild decrease from last week’s 20%. There is the potential for the Gap to hit zero post halving which is approximately 10 days away give or take. The big question is, what is priced in – I read a great anecdote this week – the halving is priced in for the 1% of people who watch Bitcoin prices. It is important to remember the nascent stage of take-up we are at, similar to the internet in 1994 or mobile phones in 1997. Al Gore has a great slide on this topic where he shows the “outrageous” Nokia take-up targets of 100 million total global phone sales in the 2000’s – we all know that number was well into the billions!
As for the shift list, which we define as the major events and announcements facilitating the broader market’s transition to Web3 financial rails or the internet of value, the top shifts for this week include:
Our Top “alts shifts” for this week, featuring shifts in our altcoin universe that drive our thematic approach, saw the second gap, or the broader digital asset market, remain flat at circa 36%. There is a big opportunity here, as we see this as a selective opportunity to identify and grow our alts portfolio via our “alThematics” work.
What are our favourite thematics for 2024? We continue to like any infrastructure plays of the shift from Web2 to Web3 financial rails and any plays in the real-world asset tokenisation infrastructure, data validation and decentralised storage, as well as scale-up technologies such as ZKrollups. We are closely following all the ”de’s” – DeFi, DePin, DeSoc – (want to know what that means? – message us).
Lisa Wade, CEO DigitalX
CRYPTO TOP 20 7 DAY PRICE CHANGE
*All figures throughout are in USD unless otherwise specified
Market Updates
The Shift List
Macro and Regulatory Environment
About DigitalX
DigitalX Ltd (ASX:DCC) is a leading ASX-Listed Bitcoin and digital asset funds management business. The Company has a 9 year track record mining Bitcoin, blockchain and smart contract development. DigitalX Asset Management is the investment manager of digital asset investment products that provide qualified investors with highly secure and streamlined access to digital asset exposure. To learn more contact the team at [email protected] or visit our website https://digitalx.fund/.
Disclaimer:
DigitalX Asset Management Pty Ltd is a corporate authorised representative (CAR) of Boutique Capital Pty Ltd (AFSL 508011), and True Oak Investments Ltd (AFSL 238184). To the extent to which this document contains advice it is general advice only and has been prepared by the CAR for individuals identified as wholesale investors for the purposes of providing a financial product or financial service. The information herein is presented in summary form and is therefore subject to qualification and further explanation. The information in this document is not intended to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors and has been prepared without taking into account personal investment objectives, financial circumstances or particular needs. Recipients of this document are advised to consult their own professional advisers about legal, tax, financial or other matters relevant to the suitability of this information. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
