- tech360.tv
Cryptoverse: Bitcoin Defies Its Doubters in 2023
Updated: Jan 5
[Edited] Bitcoin, the king of cryptocurrencies, has proven its resilience in 2023, bouncing back from depressed prices and tough economic conditions. Despite a summer slump, Bitcoin has experienced a remarkable recovery, outperforming traditional assets and gaining momentum in the crypto market.
According to Kelvin Koh, co-founder and managing partner at Spartan Group, this recovery is just the beginning of a new cycle for Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency has surged 164% since the start of the year, currently trading above $40,000. In comparison, gold has risen by 10% and the S&P 500 has gained 20%.
Bitcoin's dominance in the cryptocurrency market has also increased, with its share rising from 38% to over 50%, as reported by CoinGecko. The overall crypto market cap has swelled to $1.7 trillion, with Ether's price jumping 95%.
The resurgence of Bitcoin can be attributed to several factors. The anticipation of a potential U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) and hopes of easier monetary policy have renewed investor energy. Trading volumes have also picked up, reaching $3.61 trillion in November, up from $2.9 trillion in January, according to CCData.
Stablecoins, such as Tether, have also experienced significant growth, with Tether's market cap soaring to an all-time high of over $90 billion. These cryptocurrencies, pegged to real-world assets like the dollar, have gained popularity among investors.
However, 2023 has not been without its share of setbacks for the crypto industry. Crypto giants like Binance chief Changpeng Zhao and the co-founder of Voyager Digital faced regulatory actions and legal troubles. Even industry poster child Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, was convicted of fraud.
On a positive note, Ripple's XRP token saw gains of 82% after a key legal victory in a U.S. court ruling that Ripple Labs' sales of the token did not violate securities law.
Looking ahead to 2024, the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. is expected to attract retail and institutional investors, potentially pulling in billions of dollars. Asset management giants like BlackRock and Fidelity have already submitted applications to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for this multi-billion dollar product.
While some remain bullish on the crypto market's recovery, J.P. Morgan remains skeptical of the magnitude of success in adoption that the broader market is pricing in. They expect the Bitcoin ETFs to attract assets in the low to mid-single-digit percentage range of the $1.7 trillion crypto market. Despite the current recovery, some market watchers believe that Bitcoin is still in the early stages of its bull market.
The net dollar-denominated realized profit locked in by Bitcoin investors remains significantly lower than the peaks of the 2021 bull market, suggesting that there is still room for growth.
Bitcoin has defied its doubters in 2023, showcasing its resilience and potential for recovery. With a strong performance, increased market dominance, and the anticipation of a spot Bitcoin ETF, the future looks promising for the cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin has experienced a remarkable recovery in 2023, surging 164% since the start of the year.
The cryptocurrency has outperformed traditional assets, including gold and the S&P 500.
Bitcoin's dominance in the crypto market has increased, reaching over 50%.
Source: REUTERS