Weekly Forex Forecast and Cryptocurrencies Forecast

[Stan NordFX]

CRYPTOCURRENCIES: Bitcoin Hopes for a Banking Crisis

Bitcoin has been under selling pressure for the eighth consecutive week but continues to attempt to hold within the strong support/resistance zone of $26,500. The past week once again did not bring joy to investors. As noted by WhaleWire, transaction fees within the bitcoin ecosystem reached global highs for the third time in history (similar to what was observed in 2017 and 2021). The average network speed does not exceed 7 transactions per second. As a result, those wishing to make transfers increase the amount of the transaction fee to expedite its execution. This caused the average fee on May 8 to soar to $31 per transaction. This was very frustrating for users but welcomed by miners, as for the first time since 2017, fees surpassed block rewards.

Some operators, including Binance, were unprepared for this and did not adjust the fees in time for users. Hundreds of thousands of transactions got stuck in the mempool. In order to speed up their "clearing," the largest cryptocurrency exchange suspended withdrawals twice and increased the transfer fee. The situation was exacerbated by an investigation launched by US authorities against Binance. According to Bloomberg reports, the exchange is suspected of violating sanctions related to Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.

Panic sentiment was further heightened by the news that the cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex filed for bankruptcy on the same day, May 8 (although this procedure is expected to only affect its US subsidiary). The problems faced by Binance and Bittrex reminded investors of the FTX crash. All of this has instilled fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) among participants in the crypto market, leading to a decrease in the number of active addresses to yearly lows. Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline against this backdrop.

BTC is forming a "head and shoulders" pattern on the daily chart. A trader and analyst known as Altcoin Sherpa suggested that the price of the leading cryptocurrency may soon drop to $25,000. According to his analysis, this price level coincides with the 200-day EMA, the 0.382 Fibonacci level, and has previously been tested as support/resistance. The possibility of a deeper correction, down to the $24,000 level, cannot be ruled out. However, experts at CoinGape point out that the supply of bitcoins on centralized platforms is at its lowest level since 2017. They believe this indicates that the upcoming correction may have a local character.

The strengthening of the US dollar last week also played against bitcoin. However, hopes that the banking crisis in the US will continue to support the digital market are still in the air. For many cryptocurrency enthusiasts, bitcoin is considered a safe haven and a store of value similar to physical gold, protecting against loss of funds.

The tightening of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve has reduced the value of certain assets on banks' balance sheets and decreased demand for banking services. Therefore, the likelihood of new disruptions in the traditional financial sector remains quite high. Four US banks (First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Silvergate Bank) have filed for bankruptcy, and a dozen more are facing difficulties. According to surveys by the Gallup polling agency, half of US citizens are concerned about the safety of their funds in bank accounts.

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad, often emphasizes that challenging times lie ahead for the US and global economy. This time, he addressed his 2.4 million Twitter followers, stating that the sharp increase in the yield of one-month US Treasury bills indicates that a recession may be approaching. He questioned whether this implies that the global banking system is collapsing and advised people to focus on gold, silver, and bitcoins. It is worth noting that Kiyosaki has previously predicted that the price of bitcoin will soon rise to $100,000.

Michael Van de Poppe, an analyst, trader, and founder of the consulting platform EightGlobal, conducted a detailed analysis of the relationship between the banking sector and the crypto market. The stocks of American banks reacted with a decline to an attempt by Jerome Powell, the head of the US Federal Reserve, to calm the financial markets. Within a few hours after the official's speech on May 3, shares of PacWest Bancorp fell by almost 58%, and Western Alliance by more than 28%. Other credit institutions such as Comerica (-10.06%), Zion Bancorp (-9.71%), and KeyCorp (-6.93%) experienced a decline as well.

Using a 30-minute chart, Van de Poppe demonstrated that while banks were falling in price, bitcoin and gold were rising. According to the founder of EightGlobal, there is growing uncertainty and distrust among bankers towards the statements made by government officials. Such sentiments may lead to further problems in traditional markets and contribute to the continued growth of digital and physical gold.

Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, remains steadfastly sceptical of the flagship cryptocurrency, bitcoin. At the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' meeting, Buffett stated that while people may lose faith in the dollar, it does not mean that bitcoin can become the world's reserve currency. In response to this, James Ryan, the founder of Six Sigma Black Belt, pointed out that Buffett does not believe in gold either, as he believes the precious metal does not produce anything and does not generate cash flow.

By the way, Warren Buffett may be right about gold. According to research by DocumentingBTC, an investor who invested exactly $100 in physical gold ten years ago would now have only $134 in their account. But if they had invested in digital gold, they would have $25,600! That's why bitcoin is considered the best investment of the decade.

Second are NVIDIA stocks, which would have grown to $8,599. The honourable third spot goes to Tesla with an investment growth from $100 to $4,475. Apple investors could have gained $1,208, Microsoft - $1,111, Netflix - $1,040, Amazon - $830, Facebook - $818, and investing in Google stocks would have yielded $504 in the present.

To further justify the hopes of bitcoin enthusiasts, technically bitcoin needs to rise above $28,900, test $30,400, and firmly fix above the $31,000 level. However, at the time of writing this review on Friday evening, May 12, BTC/USD is trading at $26,415. The total market capitalization of the crypto market stands at $1.108 trillion ($1.219 trillion a week ago). The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has decreased from 61 to 49 points over the past seven days, moving from the Greed zone to the Neutral zone.


NordFX Analytical Group


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

CryptoNews of the Week

– According to a survey conducted by Bloomberg, in the event of a US default on its national debt, 7.8% of professional and 11.3% of retail investors would opt for the primary cryptocurrency as a safe-haven asset. Meanwhile, 7.8% and 10.2% would rely on the US dollar, respectively.
Gold tops the list of safe-haven assets. Despite the current price of the precious metal being close to its historical high ($2,000 per ounce), about half of the surveyed investors from both categories have chosen it. The report highlights the current shortage of alternatives to gold for hedging purposes.
US Treasury bills ranks as the second most popular asset, with 14-15% of respondents opting to purchase them. Journalists see a certain irony in this, as it is precisely these debt securities that might be subject to default. Bitcoin comes in third, closely followed by the US dollar, with the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc trailing behind.

– Debates have erupted online over the first purchase made with BTC. A version has emerged claiming that the first purchase was not, in fact, the legendary pizza. A story is being discussed on Twitter about a user by the name of Sabunir who tried to sell a JPEG picture for 500 bitcoins in 2010, which was about $1 at the time. Evidence provided includes a screenshot with the date of January 24, 2010: four months before Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC. It is also claimed that a certain user named Satoshi Nakamoto even tried to participate in the transaction.
However, it was unclear whether the transaction had actually taken place. Therefore, Gige Energy co-founder Matt Lohstroh decided to conduct his own investigation. It turned out that the transaction did indeed occur. According to on-chain data, 500 BTC (about $13.3 million at the current exchange rate) were indeed transferred to Sabunir's wallet on January 24, 2010. This means that this image is actually the first item purchased with BTC.
Does this mean that instead of celebrating the annual Pizza Day on May 22nd, crypto enthusiasts will have to mark January 24 as JPEG Image Day? But what about the "Bitcoin Pizza" pizzeria owned by Morgan Creek co-founder Anthony Pompliano? You have to agree, "JPEG Pizza" doesn't sound quite as appetizing.

– About half of North Korea's missile program is funded through cyberattacks and cryptocurrency thefts, according to CNN, citing White House officials. They say that US intelligence services are working to identify the companies and individuals associated with this, while the Treasury Department is tracking the stolen cryptocurrency.
At the same time, Nikkei newspaper reported that since 2017, hackers from North Korea have stolen cryptocurrencies from accounts opened in Japan amounting to approximately $720 million. About $540 million was stolen from Vietnamese citizens, and another $497 million from US citizens.

– According to data from analytics firm Glassnode, the number of bitcoin addresses holding at least 1 BTC has increased by ~190,000 since February 2022 and surpassed the 1 million mark. The most notable increases occurred during the sharp decline of bitcoin in June 2022 (the bankruptcy of crypto fund 3AC, preceded by the collapse of the Terra ecosystem) and after November 11 (the FTX crash).
As for forecasts, Glassnode is "confident in a medium-term target of $35,000 as external pressures ease." "The Fed will pause rate hikes in June [...] - optimal for an upward movement [of bitcoin] during the summer. The dollar index has crossed below a significant moving average - explosive movements ahead," the agency's analysts explain.

– Mark Yusko, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency hedge fund Morgan Creek Digital has reaffirmed his forecast of an inevitable bull rally in the digital asset market. He believes that the "crypto-summer" will likely begin in mid-June. According to him, bitcoin could make a significant breakthrough right now, as a technical reversal pattern is forming on the chart. "If you look at the chart [starting from May 2022], you'll see a beautiful inverted head and shoulders at the $27,000 level," Yusko writes. "It's a really interesting technical pattern. And you know, I think we need some good news to give it a boost."
As for the collapse of several US banks this year, the CEO of Morgan Creek believes that the destabilization of the sector was provoked to facilitate the smooth implementation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

– Paul Tudor Jones, head of hedge fund Tudor Investment Corporation and a consistent advocate for investing in bitcoin, has stated that the premier cryptocurrency has become less attractive in the current regulatory and economic climate. He noted that bitcoin now has "real problems, because in the US, the entire regulatory apparatus is against cryptocurrencies." In addition, the billionaire anticipates a decrease in inflation in the US, which makes hedging assets less attractive. Bitcoin is often perceived precisely as an asset for protection against inflation.
Paul Tudor Jones himself continues to hold a small amount of bitcoin and has no plans to sell the cryptocurrency even in the distant future. However, he had previously planned to invest up to 5% of his fortune in bitcoin, but it seems that he has now abandoned such plans.

– Billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya believes that the devaluation of the dollar actually stimulates the US economy. According to this venture capitalist, the dollar's dominant position in the global economy remains indisputable, despite trends to move away from this currency. It's important to remember that approximately 187 countries rely on the dollar. A weaker dollar allows these nations to purchase American goods at a more favourable price. They all see that importing goods becomes cheaper, their economies improve, and as a result, the dollar still feels strong.
Palihapitiya also believes that in the long run, the US government will likely not be able to avoid devaluing its currency. According to the billionaire, the best way to deal with this trend is to invest in risky assets, such as stocks and cryptocurrencies.

– An Indian YouTuber decided to visit 40 countries in 400 days, using only bitcoin. Paco De La India, as he calls himself, has already visited 7 countries from different regions of the planet. He managed to raise the necessary amount for his travels by selling all his furniture and also through crowdfunding. As a result of his voyage, he was able to draw a few conclusions:
1. Paco believes that the volatility inherent in the market deters people from bitcoin. People are much more willing to use stablecoins, such as USDT, for transactions, while bitcoin is kept in HODL mode. In general, acceptance is happening, but this process needs to be accelerated.
2. The traveller noted that people are usually more generous during a bull market, which makes it easier to receive donations. Paco started his journey when bitcoin was trading around $50,000 and was moving towards an all-time high of nearly $69,000. "Donations were coming in, everyone was very happy... but gradually everything started to shrink," Paco says. "I couldn't travel as freely, so I was always looking for those who could take me in their homes. And this also gave me an idea of the local people."
Unfortunately, Paco's exciting journey had to be interrupted due to the fall in the BTC price and regulatory uncertainty, which affected some of his sponsors (primarily due to the closure of the Paxful trading platform). However, Paco is hopeful and intends to continue exploring where in the world it is most convenient to pay with bitcoin.


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #forex #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

Forex and Cryptocurrencies Forecast for May 22 - 26, 2023​

EUR/USD: Why the Dollar Continues to Rise

We titled our last week’s review "Why the Dollar Rose" and detailed the reasons for the strengthening of the American currency. It's fitting to name today's fresh review "Why the Dollar Continues to Rise," and naturally, we will answer this question.

The DXY dollar index has been on the rise for the past two weeks, reaching a mark of 103.485 on May 18. This is the highest it's been since March 2023. This coincides with increasing chances of a new interest rate hike at the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve on June 14.

A potential U.S. government debt default could have dampened the hawkish sentiment of the American Central Bank. However, firstly, the Federal Reserve has developed a system of measures since 2011 to mitigate the effects of a U.S. default on its obligations. Secondly, and most importantly, it's unlikely they will have to resort to such quantitative easing (QE). President Joe Biden has expressed confidence in reaching a deal with the Republicans. Additionally, the Republican House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, has confirmed that a vote on the debt ceiling will take place next week.

Markets have responded to this with optimism and confidence that an economic and financial market crisis can be averted. This has boosted not only the dollar but also the S&P500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq stock indices (noting that such a combination is extremely rare). As a result, the likelihood of raising the key interest rate to 5.5% has reached 33% (the chances were close to 0% at the beginning of May).

Lorie Logan, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) of Dallas, and her colleague from St. Louis, James Bullard, are prepared to vote for monetary tightening. Raphael Bostic, the head of the FRB of Atlanta, does not rule out that after a pause in June, the rate could be raised at the July meeting. Neil Kashkari, the president of the FRB of Minneapolis, has also made hawkish statements. He agreed that a banking crisis could be the source of the economic slowdown. However, in his view, the labor market remains quite strong, inflation, although somewhat weakened, still significantly exceeds the target level of 2.0%, so it's too early to talk about easing monetary policy.

EUR/USD fell to a level of 1.0760 on Friday, May 19, after which the decline ceased. This slowdown was aided by a statement from European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, who said that like the Fed, the ECB "will boldly make the necessary decisions to return inflation to 2%". Clearly, this will require further tightening of credit and monetary policy (QT) and a rate hike, as inflation (CPI) in the Eurozone is reluctant to decrease. Statistics published on Wednesday, March 17, showed that in annual terms it had increased over the month from 6.9% to 7.0%.

Economists from the Canadian investment bank TD Securities (TDS) believe that the deposit rate for the euro will rise from the current 3.25% to 4.00% by September and will be maintained at this level until mid-2024. Accordingly, after a rise of 75 basis points (bps), the key interest rate will reach 4.5%.

The picture of the past week would be incomplete without the final part, aptly titled "Why the Dollar Fell." This happened on the evening of Friday, May 19, thanks to the same Fed. More precisely, its chairman Jerome Powell. Earlier in the day, he stated that inflation was much higher than the target, this created significant difficulties, and therefore it needed to be brought back to 2%. This speech had no impact on market participants as it completely aligned with their expectations. However, in his second speech at the end of the trading week, Powell managed to shock the market. According to him, the recent banking crisis, which led to a tightening of credit standards, has reduced the need for interest rate hikes. "Our rate may not need to rise as much as we would like," Powell said, adding that "the markets have priced in a different rate hike scenario than what the Fed is forecasting."

Following these words, EUR/USD rallied north, closing the past week at a level of 1.0805. As for the near future, as of the evening of May 19, when this review was written, most analysts (55%) expect the dollar to continue strengthening. Northward corrections are expected by 30%, and the remaining 15% have taken a neutral position. Among the oscillators on D1, 100% are coloured red (although a quarter of them are signalling that the pair is oversold). Among the trend indicators, 75% point south, and 25% look north. The nearest support for the pair is located around 1.0740-1.0760, followed by zones and levels of 1.0680-1.0710, 1.0620, and 1.0490-1.0525. Bulls will meet resistance around 1.0820-1.0835, then 1.0865, 1.0895-1.0925, 1.0985, 1.1045, 1.1090-1.1110, 1.1230, 1.1280, and 1.1355-1.1390.

Noteworthy events for the upcoming week include the publication of Germany's business activity (PMI) and business climate (IFO) indices on May 23 and 24, respectively. Also, the minutes of the last FOMC meeting will be released, on Wednesday, May 24. We will know the GDP values of Germany and the US (preliminary) for Q1 2023, as well as data from the US labour market, on Thursday, May 25. To round off the working week, we are expecting data on US core durable goods orders and personal consumption expenditures on Friday, May 26.

GBP/USD: BoE Hints at a Dovish Turn

The plunge on May 11 and 12 resulted in GBP/USD being unable to maintain its position above the strong 1.2500 support level. On the past week of May 18, the pair reached the next, no less significant, support level, but couldn't break through it. After several attempts to drop below 1.2391, the pair reversed and headed north, ending the week at 1.2445.

The economy of the United Kingdom currently, to put it mildly, doesn't look good. Inflation is still measured in double digits. And while general inflation slowed down a bit over the month, dropping from 10.4% to 10.1%, food inflation, on the other hand, is soaring: it has already reached 19.1% and may soon cross into the third decade.

In terms of bankruptcies, the United Kingdom ranked third in the world in March, after Switzerland and Hong Kong. Moreover, the wave of compulsory liquidations could turn into a full-blown tsunami as the Electricity Bill Assistance Program comes to an end. And if the government doesn't extend it, many more businesses will be buried under new bills. The only slightly reassuring thing is that the industry's share of the country's GDP is less than 20%. The service sector, which consumes significantly less energy, contributes about 75% of GDP.

The pound could have been supported by further tightening of the Bank of England's (BoE) monetary policy. However, judging by the recent statements of its leaders, the cycle of rate hikes is coming to an end, with the last increase most likely in June. Deputy Governor of the BoE, Dave Ramsden, speaking before the UK Parliament's Treasury Select Committee, stated that while quantitative tightening (QT) does have some effect on the economy, it is quite insignificant. Another Deputy Governor, Ben Broadbent, announced a reduction in QT volumes to disrupt market liquidity. However, he was only talking about the volumes of bond sales, but overall, the direction of movement is evident.

Commerzbank strategists rightly believe that the BoE's indecision in combating inflation is putting heavy pressure on the pound. Their colleagues from the Internationale Nederlanden Groep (ING) talk about the possibility that if the Bank of England maintained its hawkish stance, GBP/USD could advance to the 1.3300 mark by the end of the year. But will it maintain this stance?

At present, talking about the near-term prospects for the pair, 35% of experts maintain a bullish outlook, 55% prefer bears, and the remaining 10% prefer to abstain from forecasts. Among oscillators on D1, 75% recommend selling (20% are in the oversold zone), 10% are set to buy and 15% are painted in neutral gray. Trend indicators, as a week ago, have a 50% to 50% ratio of forces between red and green. Support levels and zones for the pair are 1.2390-1.2420, 1.2330, 1.2275, 1.2200, 1.2145, 1.2075-1.2085, 1.2000-1,2025, 1.1960, 1.1900-1.1920, 1.1800-1.1840. When the pair moves north, it will meet resistance at the levels of 1.2480, 1.2510, 1.2540, 1.2570, 1.2610-1.2635, 1.2675-1.2700, 1.2820 and 1.2940.

Key events for the coming week in the calendar include Tuesday, May 23, when preliminary business activity (PMI) data will arrive from various sectors of the UK economy. The next day will reveal the value of one of the main indicators of inflation levels, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the country, followed by two speeches by the Bank of England's head, Andrew Bailey. Finally, the volume of retail sales in the UK will be disclosed on Friday, May 26.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

USD/JPY: The Yen Gets Knocked Down

In April, the yen was the worst currency in the DXY basket. On ultra-dovish statements from the new Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda, USD/JPY soared to a height of 137.77 by May 2. After that, the banking crisis in the United States came to the aid of the yen, playing the role of a safe haven, and the pair turned downwards. But not for long…

Ueda once again struck at the national currency, commenting on Japanese inflation data. He stated that "the current inflation increase is due to external factors and rising costs, not a strengthening of demand", that "inflation in Japan is likely to slow to below 2% in the middle of the current fiscal year" and that "tightening monetary policy would harm the economy". The yen was also undermined by the GDP data for Japan published on May 17. If the country's economy fell in the third and fourth quarters of 2022, then in the first quarter of 2023, it showed an increase of 1.6% YoY.

So, if inflation falls even below 2.0% by the middle of the year, and GDP grows, why should the central bank change anything in its monetary policy and raise the interest rate? Let it stay at the previous negative level of -0.1%. That's exactly what the market participants thought, sending the yen into the abyss, and USD/JPY into flight. As a result, it updated a six-month high, reaching the height of 138.74 on May 18. The speech by the Fed Chair on the evening of Friday, May 19, slightly weakened the dollar, and the end of the week the pair met at the level of 137.93.

Of course, this flight would not have been possible without a strengthening dollar and U.S. Treasury bonds. It is known that there is traditionally a direct correlation between ten-year treasuries and USD/JPY. If the yield on securities goes up, so does the pair. And last week, against the backdrop of the hawkish mood of the Fed, the yield rose by 8%. Another piece of not very pleasant news for the Japanese currency is that SWIFT data showed that in April, the use of the dollar in cross-border payments increased from 41.74% to 42.71%, while the share of the yen, on the contrary, fell from 4.78% to 3.51%.

Regarding the near-term prospects for USD/JPY, the votes of analysts are distributed as follows. At the moment, 35% of analysts vote for the strengthening of the Japanese currency. 45% of experts expect a continuation of the flight to the Moon, 20% remain neutral. Among the indicators on D1, the absolute advantage is on the side of the dollar: 100% of trend indicators and oscillators point north (although among the latter 20% signal the pair is overbought). The nearest support level is in the 137.30-137.50 zone, followed by levels and zones at 136.70, 135.95-136.30, 134.85-135.15, 134.40, 133.60, 132.80-133.00, 132.00, 131.25, 130.50-130.60, 129.65, 128.00-128.15 and 127.20. The nearest resistance is 138.30-138.75, then the bulls will need to overcome barriers at levels 139.05, 139.60, 140.60, 142.25, 143.50 and 144.90-145.10.

There is no significant economic information related to the Japanese economy expected to be released in the upcoming week.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

CRYPTOCURRENCIES: Bitcoin Has No Intention of Retreating

Bitcoin has been under pressure from sellers for the ninth consecutive week. However, despite the difficulty, it manages to hold on, relying on strong support in the $26,500 zone, preventing it from falling to $25,000 and lower. The bearish attack attempt on Friday, May 12, was unsuccessful: after dropping to $25,800, BTC/USD reversed course and reached a local high of $27,656 on May 15. According to some experts, investors seem willing to buy. However, there are no triggers for a bullish impulse. Market participants are focused on the prospects of a US debt default on June 1, which is causing them to refrain from any significant activity. At the same time, there is an atypical situation where both the Dollar Index (DXY) and stock indices are rising simultaneously. This preservation of investor risk appetite undoubtedly provided support to the cryptocurrency market.

According to a survey conducted by Bloomberg, in the event of a default, 7.8% of professional investors and 11.3% of retail investors will choose the first cryptocurrency as a safe haven, while 7.8% and 10.2% will rely on the US dollar, respectively.

Gold remains in the first place on the list of safe-haven assets. Even though the price of the precious metal is currently near its historical high ($2,000 per ounce), it was chosen by about half of the surveyed investors from both categories. The Bloomberg report highlights the existing deficit of alternative assets to hedge against gold.

US Treasury bills became the second most popular asset (purchased by 14-15% of respondents). Bloomberg journalists see some irony in this, as these debt instruments may potentially default. Bitcoin comes in third place, slightly behind the dollar, followed by the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc.

The debates in the US Congress regarding the debt ceiling were relatively lacklustre last week. Influencers' statements on the ceiling (and the "bottom") for bitcoin were equally sluggish and uncertain. For example, venture billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya stated that, on one hand, the devaluation of the dollar certainly stimulates the US economy, and the dominant position of the dollar in the global economy remains undisputed. However, on the other hand, he believes that in the long term, the US government is likely to face currency devaluation, and therefore, it is advisable to invest in risky assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies.

Paul Tudor Jones, the head of hedge fund Tudor Investment Corporation, who has always been a proponent of investing in bitcoin, has now stated that the leading cryptocurrency has become less attractive in the current regulatory and economic situation. He noted that bitcoin is currently facing real problems because the entire regulatory apparatus in the United States is against cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, the billionaire expects a decrease in inflation in the US, which makes hedging assets less appealing. Bitcoin is often perceived as an asset for protection against inflation.

Paul Tudor Jones himself continues to hold a small amount of bitcoin and has no intention of selling the cryptocurrency even in the distant future. However, it appears that he has abandoned his previous plans to invest up to 5% of his wealth in BTC. Perhaps he has decided to wait out these uncertain times.

Mark Yusko, the founder and CEO of cryptocurrency hedge fund Morgan Creek Digital, has reiterated his prediction of an inevitable bull rally in the digital asset market. He believes that the "crypto summer" is likely to begin in mid-June. According to him, bitcoin could already make a significant breakthrough as a technical reversal pattern is forming on the chart. "If you look at the chart [starting from May 2022], you'll see that it's a beautiful inverted head and shoulders pattern at the $27,000 level," Yusko writes. "It's a really interesting technical pattern. And you know, I think we need some good news to give it a boost." (Regarding the need for good news, one can only agree with Mark Yusko. However, if you look at the chart starting from March 17-18, 2023, the head and shoulders pattern would point in the opposite direction).

Glassnode, too, anticipates the arrival of the first summer month. "We are confident in our medium-term target of $35,000 as external pressures ease. The Federal Reserve will pause its interest rate hike in June [...] - optimal for upward movement [of bitcoin] throughout the summer. The dollar index has crossed below a significant moving average - explosive movements are ahead," analysts from the agency explain.

Even though summer is approaching, it has not yet arrived. As of the evening of Friday, May 19, BTC/USD is currently trading at $26,850. The total market capitalization of the crypto market stands at $1.126 trillion ($1.108 trillion a week ago). The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has remained relatively unchanged over the past seven days and is in the Neutral zone at 48 points (49 points a week ago).

And to conclude the review, in order to liven up the tranquil state of the crypto market, let's discuss a sensation. Debates have ignited online regarding the first purchase made with BTC. It turns out that the legendary pizza may not have been the actual first purchase. It has been discovered that in 2010, a user named Sabunir attempted to sell a JPEG image for 500 bitcoins, which was worth about $1 at the time. As evidence, a screenshot indicating the date of January 24, 2010, has been presented, which is four months prior to Laszlo Hanyecz's famous pizza purchase of 10,000 BTC. It is also claimed that a user named Satoshi Nakamoto even attempted to participate in the buying/selling process.

However, doubts remained as to whether it was merely an attempted sale or if the transaction actually took place. To dispel the doubt, Matt Lohstroh, co-founder of Gige Energy, conducted his own investigation. According to the obtained on-chain data, on January 24, 2010, 500 BTC (equivalent to approximately $13.3 million at the current exchange rate) were indeed received in Sabunir's wallet. This means that the transaction did take place, and therefore, this image is indeed the world's first item purchased with BTC.

So now, instead of celebrating the annual Pizza Day on May 22, will crypto enthusiasts have to mark January 24 as the Day of the JPEG Image? But what about the "Bitcoin Pizza" pizzeria owned by Morgan Creek co-founder Anthony Pompliano? It seems that "JPEG Pizza" doesn't sound quite as appetizing.


NordFX Analytical Group


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[skrimon]

Great insights on the forex and cryptocurrencies forecast! The current market dynamics, such as the impact of COVID-19 and the upcoming US presidential election, add an extra layer of uncertainty. However, many experts suggest a slight rise in EUR/USD, a potential higher echelon for GBP/USD, and a preference for the Japanese yen as a safe haven in USD/JPY. As for cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin's recent rise is attributed to multiple factors like the pandemic, monetary policies, and institutional interest. Some foresee BTC/USD reaching new highs while others remain cautious. Exciting times ahead in the financial markets! Stay informed and trade wisely, everyone!

 

[Stan NordFX]

CryptoNews of the Week

– Romanian crypto investor Daniel Nita purchased 10,000 pizzas for 1.01 BTC (~$26,800 at the time of purchase) to celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day. Nita made the purchase at Vintage Pub in Bucharest, paying through Binance Pay. He then organized a party where he handed out pizzas on the city streets.
It's worth recalling that every year on May 22, the cryptocurrency community celebrates Bitcoin Pizza Day. This holiday was inspired by a landmark event in the industry when, in 2010, programmer Laszlo Hanyecz was the first in the world to buy two Papa John's pizzas, paying for them with 10,000 BTC. However, the primacy of this purchase is now being disputed. In our previous review, we detailed that four months before Hanyecz, someone named Sabunir might have sold a JPEG image for 500 bitcoins, which was about $1 at the time.

– The United States is at risk of losing its leading position in the cryptocurrency industry, potentially giving way to the UAE, South Korea, Australia, and Switzerland, warns ARK Invest analyst Yassine Elmandjra. In his view, the ambiguous regulatory environment negatively impacts existing companies and deters new players. The expert noted that the recent flight of market makers Jane Street and Jump Trading from the United States is a sign of this negative reaction. Citing data from Coin Metrics, he also added that over the past two months, the volume of Bitcoin trading in the country has fallen by 75% - from $20 million per day in March to $4 million in May.
Recall that just in 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought claims against crypto exchanges Bittrex, Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, and Genesis. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has also filed a lawsuit against Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao.

– Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, believes that the upcoming halving and regulatory intervention in the crypto industry will positively impact bitcoin and strengthen its dominance. Saylor pointed to the growing interest of investors shifting towards bitcoin from other tokens. According to him, BTC's competitors naturally fall away after more stringent industry regulation. This became particularly noticeable after SEC Chairman Gary Gensler stated that "everything except bitcoin" falls under the securities laws.
"Crypto tokens and crypto securities will be regulated, and they might even cease to exist. Bitcoin is the only commodity that the SEC does not intend to regulate. Bitcoin is the safest network and the safest asset," stated the MicroStrategy CEO. In his opinion, a steady outflow of capital from the rest of the crypto space into Bitcoin will soon begin, and he already sees the start of a new bull cycle.
For reference: As of April 4, 2023, MicroStrategy, along with its subsidiary companies, owned about 140,000 BTC. The company paid a total of $4.17 billion for them. Thus, the average purchase price amounted to $29,803 per bitcoin.

– Obi Nwosu, CEO of the crypto platform Fedi, like Saylor, has stated that bitcoin's superiority over other cryptocurrencies is apparent in all aspects. The specialist expressed confidence that Bitcoin has the fastest, cheapest, simplest, most decentralized, and safest ecosystem. By the end of 2023, this will become even more apparent, as effective solutions for network functionality development are increasingly emerging. However, unlike Michael Saylor, Obi Nwosu believes that there will still be a place for other cryptocurrencies in the crypto space.

– Bloomberg analyst Mike McGlone expects a collapse in the bitcoin exchange rate to support at $7,366. This forecast is based on the downward movement of the 52-week moving average (MA) on the BTC chart. McGlone notes that before the massive pump in 2020, this line, on the contrary, was moving upwards.
According to the expert, the negative trend will continue, and the cryptocurrency will face hard times. "The U.S. Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, despite the banking panic. The drop in commodity prices may argue in favor of the potential for deflation of high-risk assets. The simultaneous increase in the cost of bitcoin and a rally in the stock market seems unlikely," McGlone said.
It is worth noting that not so long ago, at the end of last year, he gave a completely opposite forecast. Then, according to him, bitcoin was supposed to appreciate to $100,000.

– A trader known as Dave the Wave, known for several accurate forecasts, believes that bitcoin is currently consolidating in the "buy zone" of the logarithmic growth curve. This curve evaluates the long-term highs and lows of the leading cryptocurrency throughout its entire life cycle, ignoring short-term volatility.
The analyst notes that, based on the current market structure, a rise above $32,000 will signal a breakthrough of the consolidation channel. Therefore, according to Dave the Wave, any purchase below $31,000 remains a great deal. In his conservative estimate, the target price of bitcoin by the end of the year should be around $40,000.

– The online publication BeInCrypto decided to find out whether BTC could continue to rise, or if the prolonged sideways trend would end with another drop. Opinions within the crypto community were divided. For example, a forecast from popular blogger CryptoKaleo does not rule out Bitcoin updating its local maximum. Signals that allow betting on the coin's growth were also seen by the trader known as DaanCrypto. He noted BTC's rebound from the weekly moving average (MA200). From a technical analysis perspective, this behavior of the cryptocurrency could indicate buyer strength.
Crypto blogger Nebraskangooner, on the other hand, sees signals for a decline on the chart. His forecast does not rule out the cryptocurrency falling to $25,500. This, the blogger believes, is indicated by the coin's exit from the symmetrical triangle formed on the chart. The negative Bitcoin forecast was supported by typically optimistic analyst Inmortal. He also does not rule out a BTC drop to as low as $22,000. However, Inmortal is confident that the cryptocurrency will be able to quickly recover its positions.
There's a well-known saying that goes, "So many people, so many opinions." In this case, it can be paraphrased as, "As many analysts as there are forecasts."

– Prominent investor and former Coinbase CTO, Balaji Srinivasan, is once again in the news. He previously made headlines with a sensational bet of $1.5 million that bitcoin would reach a value of $1 million within 90 days. This prediction was made in March 2023, but Srinivasan prematurely admitted his loss in early May.
Now, Srinivasan has declared that "if Twitter was the central theme of the presidential election in 2016, in 2024, for the first time, it could be bitcoin." As evidence, the investor cited statements from U.S. President Joe Biden that he does not intend to agree to a deal with the Republican Party aimed at protecting wealthy individuals and cryptocurrency traders who evade taxes. Srinivasan believes another proof of his correctness is the ongoing debates among American legislators over cryptocurrency regulation and the Web 3.0 space.
Interestingly, another Democratic presidential candidate, Robert Kennedy Jr., has challenged Biden by hailing Bitcoin as a tool to support democracy.

– Michael van de Poppe, an analyst, trader, and founder of the consulting platform EightGlobal, has told his Twitter followers that a successful retest of the $26,280 support level (MA200) could signify the end of bitcoin's correction and consolidation. Therefore, he believes this level is a good one at which to accumulate bitcoin.
"If we look at past periods, a retest of the 200-day moving average has always been a great time to accumulate bitcoin. Over the past six months, bitcoin has spent a lot of time below this indicator, making it [BTC] undervalued. The next week will be key: a quick retest and bounce upward will signify the end of Bitcoin's correction," the crypto analyst reasons. Michael van de Poppe is confident that, for bitcoin's future growth to be confirmed, it needs to secure a level above $27,000: this will demonstrate the bullish sentiment of investors. However, if BTC fails to conquer and hold this level, it is likely to roll back to $26,000.


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #forex #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

Forex and Cryptocurrency Forecast for May 29 – June 2, 2023​

EUR/USD: Dollar Awaits U.S. Bankruptcy

The dollar has been rising since May 4. Last week, on May 26, the DXY Index reached 104.34. It hasn't been this high since mid-March 2023. What is driving the U.S. currency up and, consequently, pushing the EUR/USD pair down? According to analysts at Commerzbank, "the absolute calmness in the options market suggests that the driving force behind the EUR/USD exchange rate is monetary policy considerations rather than ongoing U.S. debt ceiling negotiations." It is worth noting that the probability of a rate hike at the June 14 FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting increased throughout May. At the beginning of the month, the likelihood of a rate increase was close to 0%, but by the end of the month, it reached 50%. It turns out that the U.S. economy is holding up very well compared to other economies, and the deterioration in lending has not been as severe or rapid as initially feared.

Of course, 50% is far from 100%. Moreover, the FOMC published the minutes of its latest meeting on Wednesday, May 24, and the key phrase regarding the possibility of additional tightening of monetary policy was absent. The document also revealed divergent opinions among committee members regarding further rate hikes. However, despite this, the flight to safety in anticipation of a potential U.S. default continued to support the dollar.

The United States government has been living with a debt that has already exceeded $31 trillion. If Congress does not raise its permissible limit by June 1, the U.S. will declare default. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has already warned about this multiple times. However, the actual date of bankruptcy may vary slightly from the "X Day" on June 1. For example, Deutsche Bank points to the end of July, while Morgan Stanley mentions either June 7-14 or July 21-28, and Goldman Sachs even suggests the end of September.

The authors of the British publication The Economist are alarming readers, stating that U.S. bankruptcy will cause a collapse in global stock markets and sow panic in the global economy. According to the estimates of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the securities market will plummet by 45% in the first months of the crisis. Moody's agency predicts a decline of about 20%, but unemployment will increase by 5%.

As for politicians, discussions about extending the debt ceiling continue. On Wednesday, May 24th, Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, noted that there is still work to be done to reach an agreement. However, he added that the country will not declare default. President Joe Biden also expressed confidence in reaching a deal with Republicans. An agreement is in the interests of both parties, as next year is an election year in the United States.

David Malpass, the President of the World Bank, stated in an interview with CNN that he does not expect a default and explained that such situations occur every few years. (For reference, the U.S. debt ceiling has existed since 1917 and has been raised 78 times since 1960).

As mentioned earlier, statistics indicate that the U.S. economy is feeling relatively confident. The GDP estimate for Q1 was revised upward from 1.1% to 1.3%. At the same time, the number of initial unemployment claims, forecasted at 250K, actually decreased to 229K. Durable goods orders increased by 1.1%. This figure followed a growth of 3.3% in March and exceeded market expectations, which anticipated a 1.0% decrease. Finally, the April National Activity Index from the Chicago Fed rose from -0.37 to +0.07.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts further strengthening of the dollar due to the lack of an attractive alternative among other currencies. According to the bank's experts, there is currently no serious contender for the reserve status of the dollar in the world, including the euro. Unlike the American economy, the Eurozone does not please investors. If the preliminary estimate of Germany's GDP for Q1 was -0.1%, the reality showed a decline to -0.3%. Additionally, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for Germany's manufacturing sector declined (42.9 compared to the previous value of 44.5 and a forecast of 45.0), as did the country's business climate index (IFO) (91.7 compared to the previous value of 93.4 and a forecast of 93.0).

Starting the week at 1.0805, on May 25, EUR/USD reached a local low of 1.0701, and by the end of the five-day workweek (Friday evening, May 26), it is trading around 1.0725. As for the near-term prospects, at the moment, the majority of analysts (55%) anticipate a correction to the upside. 20% expect further strengthening of the dollar, while the remaining 25% hold a neutral position. Among the indicators on the daily chart (D1), there is a significant advantage for the dollar: 100% of oscillators are coloured in red (although a third of them signal oversold conditions for the pair), and among the trend indicators, 85% favour the red side (15% are on the green side). The nearest support for the pair is located around 1.0680-1.0710, followed by zones and levels at 1.0620 and 1.0490-1.0525. Bulls will encounter resistance around 1.0800-1.0835, followed by 1.0865, 1.0895-1.0925, 1.0985, 1.1045, 1.1090-1.1110, 1.1230, 1.1280, and 1.1355-1.1390.

The upcoming week features several notable events. The US Consumer Confidence Index will be published on Tuesday, May 30. The following day will bring unemployment and Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, while on Thursday, Germany's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for business activity will be released. On June 1st, the preliminary Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Eurozone and the minutes of the European Central Bank's latest Monetary Policy Committee meeting will be published. Additionally, a significant number of US economic data will be released, including labour market data and the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) PMI for the US manufacturing sector. As is customary, the first Friday of summer will see another round of US labour market statistics, including the unemployment rate and the number of non-farm payroll jobs created in the country. Traders should also note that Monday, May 29, is Memorial Day in the United States, and there will be no trading.

GBP/USD: One Step Forward, One Step Back

Indeed, GBP/USD has been moving with one step forward and one step back recently. Although it appears to be heading downwards, a closer look at the chart reveals that it ended the week on Friday, May 26, at the same level it had reached in April and a week ago. On one hand, the strengthening dollar is pushing the pair down. On the other hand, hopes that inflation will prompt the Bank of England (BoE) to continue raising interest rates prevent it from plummeting into the abyss.

Fresh consumer inflation (CPI) data in the UK turned out to be significantly higher than expected. The April release showed a rise in consumer prices by 1.2% compared to the previous month's 0.8%. The core CPI reached multi-year highs, reaching 6.8% YoY instead of the forecasted 6.2%. Although the annual inflation rate slowed from 10.1% to 8.7%, it still exceeded the projected 8.2%. While it is the lowest level in 13 months, it remains well above the target level.

In response to this data, Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Jonathan Haskel stated that he would not comment on market prices but could not rule out further rate hikes. Another important figure, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, also expressed support for tightening monetary policy, even if it harms the economy. In an interview with Sky News, he stated that "it's not a trade-off between tackling inflation and recession; ultimately, the only route to sustainable growth is reducing inflation." Many analysts believe that if the Bank of England indeed raises rates by another 1.0%, the UK economy will fall into a recession, putting significant pressure on the pound.

At the time of writing, GBP/USD is trading around 1.2350. The current analyst consensus is nearly neutral, with 40% bullish, 30% bearish, and another 30% refraining from commenting. Among the oscillators on the D1 timeframe, 100% recommend selling (20% indicate oversold conditions). Among the trend indicators, the ratio between red and green stands at 65% to 35%. In the event of a southward movement, the pair will encounter support levels and zones at 1.2300-1.2330, 1.2275, 1.2200, 1.2145, 1.2075-1.2085, 1.2000-1.2025, 1.1960, and 1.1900-1.1920. If the pair rises, it will face resistance levels at 1.2390, 1.2480, 1.2510, 1.2540, 1.2570, 1.2610-1.2635, 1.2675-1.2700, 1.2820, and 1.2940.

As for the upcoming events in the following week, traders can enjoy a day off on Monday, May 29, in both the UK and the US as it is a public holiday. However, Thursday, June 1, is worth noting as it will reveal the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the country's manufacturing sector.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

USD/JPY: Yen Receives "Ticket to the Moon"

Вue to the ongoing ultra-accommodative policy of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) and similar statements from its new Governor Kadsuo Ueda, the yen was the weakest currency in the DXY basket in April. With a high probability, it will retain this title in May as well. Last week, USD/JPY continued its journey to the Moon. Starting at 137.93 on Monday, it reached above 140.70 on Friday evening, with a finish slightly lower in the 140.60 zone.

According to many analysts, the dovish stance of the Bank of Japan could continue undermining the Japanese currency and suggests that the path of least resistance for USD/JPY is upwards. This is supported by prospects of further interest rate hikes by the US dollar and new rising Treasury yields, increasing the interest rate differential between the US and Japan and encouraging a flow of funds from JPY to USD.

Regarding the near-term prospects of USD/JPY, analysts' opinions are divided as follows. Currently, 75% of them are hoping for at least a short-term strengthening of the Japanese currency and a correction to the south. Only 25% of experts vote for the continuation of the upward trajectory. Among the indicators on the daily chart, the US dollar has an absolute advantage, with 100% of trend indicators and 100% of oscillators pointing north (though 25% of the oscillators indicate overbought conditions for the pair). The nearest support level is located in the 139.85 zone, followed by levels and zones at 138.75-139.05, 137.50, 135.90-136.10, 134.85-135.15, 134.40, 133.60, 132.80-133.00, 132.00, 131.25, 130.50-130.60, and 129.65. The closest resistance is at 141.40, and then bulls will need to overcome obstacles at levels 142.20, 143.50, and 144.90-145.10. The October 2022 high of 151.95 is not far from there.

There is no significant economic information related to the Japanese economy expected for the upcoming week.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

CRYPTOCURRIENCIES: Bitcoin Needs a Trigger

Bitcoin remains under pressure from sellers for the tenth consecutive week. However, despite the struggle, it manages to hold its ground in the strong support/resistance zone around $26,500. On Thursday, May 25, amid the strengthening of the dollar, bears launched another attack and pushed the BTC/USD pair down to the $25,860 level. A similar attack was observed on May 12 when the pair dropped to $25,799. But both attacks were repelled, and the storm did not occur.

Investors nostalgically recall the impressive start of the leading cryptocurrency in the first quarter of this year. However, since then, a period of calm and declining trading activity to three-year lows has set in. Some analysts believe that the current price fails to generate enthusiasm among both sellers and buyers. In this situation, investors are hesitant to spend money. According to the analytics agency Glassnode, long-term holders (over 155 days) have accumulated 14.5 million BTC coins. If we add the reserves of cryptocurrency exchanges and other aggregators to this figure, it will be even higher. Even short-term speculators have fallen into a state of hibernation. The market needs a trigger, which could be either decisions by the Federal Reserve regarding monetary policy or an announcement of a US government debt default.

There are two possible scenarios: either a default will be declared (which is unlikely), or it will not. In the first case, if a default occurs, investor confidence in the US dollar as a reserve currency will sharply decline, benefiting bitcoin as a safe haven asset. In the second case, if there is no default, it will become more challenging for cryptocurrencies. To replenish cash reserves, the US Treasury will issue a large number of bonds, causing their yields to rise, and investors will prefer to invest their money in these securities rather than BTC.

However, it is important to note that the announcement of a default could have a significant impact on the stablecoin market. It is worth remembering that Tether, the issuer of USDT, is one of the largest holders of US Treasury bills, surpassing countries like Thailand and Israel. The volume of these debt securities on Tether's balance sheet is $53 billion, or 64% of its own reserves. It is these reserves that support the liquidity of USDT. If a default occurs, then 1 stablecoin will be worth not $1 but only 36 cents. Alternatively, it is possible that it will simply cease to exist along with Tether.

Indeed, the situation is highly ambiguous. Furthermore, industry participants continue to be concerned about increasing regulatory pressure. It is worth noting that in 2023 alone, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed complaints against cryptocurrency exchanges Bittrex, Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, and Genesis. Additionally, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a lawsuit against Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao. According to Yassine Elmandjra, an analyst at ARK Invest, this situation discourages new players and has a negative impact on existing companies, prompting them to flee from the United States to more crypto-friendly countries such as the UAE, South Korea, Australia, and Switzerland. (According to Coin Metrics, bitcoin trading volume in the US has declined by 75% over the past two months, from $20 million per day in March to $4 million in May).

Michael Saylor, the CEO of MicroStrategy, believes that active regulatory intervention will actually benefit bitcoin because it will create problems for its competitors. Saylor pointed out the increased investor interest shifting towards bitcoin from other tokens. According to him, BTC's competitors naturally fall away after more persistent regulation of the industry. This became particularly noticeable after SEC Chairman Gary Gensler stated that "all but bitcoin" fall under securities laws. Saylor believes that "crypto tokens and crypto securities will be regulated, and perhaps cease to exist. Bitcoin is the only commodity that the SEC is not going to regulate. Bitcoin is the safest network and the safest asset." He expects a continuous capital outflow from the rest of the crypto space into Bitcoin, and he already sees the beginning of a new bullish cycle. (As of April 4, 2023, MicroStrategy, along with its subsidiaries, held approximately 140,000 BTC, making it one of the largest holders of the cryptocurrency. The company paid a total of $4.17 billion for them. Thus, the average purchase price was $29,803 per bitcoin).

The opposite opinion is held by Bloomberg analyst Mike McGlone, who expects a collapse in the bitcoin price to the support level of $7,366. This forecast is based on the descending movement of the 52-week moving average (MA) on the BTC chart. McGlone notes that before the powerful pump in 2020, this line, on the contrary, was moving upwards. According to the expert, the negative trend will continue, and the cryptocurrency will face challenging times. (It should be noted that not long ago, at the end of last year, McGlone was looking in a completely different direction. At that time, according to his version, bitcoin was supposed to rise to $100,000).

In the absence of fundamental triggers, experts are paying more attention to technical analysis. For example, a trader known as Dave the Wave, who has made several accurate forecasts, believes that currently Bitcoin is consolidating in the "buying zone" of the logarithmic growth curve. This curve evaluates long-term highs and lows of the leading cryptocurrency throughout its lifecycle, ignoring short-term volatility. The analyst notes that based on the current market structure, a breakout signal from the consolidation channel would be a rise above $32,000. Therefore, according to Dave the Wave, any purchase below $31,000 is still considered an excellent deal. Based on his conservative estimate, the target price for bitcoin by the end of the year should be around $40,000.

Michael van de Poppe, an analyst, trader, and founder of the consulting platform EightGlobal, informed his Twitter followers that a successful retest of support at the $26,280 level (MA200) could mark the completion of the correction and consolidation for the leading cryptocurrency. Therefore, it is advisable to buy bitcoins at such a level. "If we look at past periods, the retest of the 200-day moving average has always been an excellent time to accumulate bitcoins. Over the past six months, Bitcoin has spent a long time below this indicator, making it [BTC] undervalued. The next week will be crucial - a quick retest and bounce upward will signify the end of the bitcoin correction," explains the crypto analyst. Michael van de Poppe is confident that for bitcoin to confirm future growth, it needs to firmly establish itself above $27,000.

The well-known saying goes, "Different people, different opinions." In this case, it can be paraphrased as "Different analysts, different forecasts." The opinions of representatives from the crypto community, surveyed by the online publication BeInCrypto, also turned out to be quite contradictory. For example, the forecast of popular blogger CryptoKaleo does not exclude the possibility of bitcoin reaching a new local high. Signals that indicate a bet on the coin's growth were also noticed by a trader known as DaanCrypto. He paid attention to the bounce of BTC from the weekly MA200 moving average. From a technical analysis perspective, such behavior of the cryptocurrency may indicate the strength of buyers.

On the other hand, crypto blogger Nebraskangooner sees signals for a decline on the chart. His forecast does not rule out a drop in the cryptocurrency to $25,500. According to the blogger, this is indicated by the coin's exit from the symmetrical triangle formation on the chart. The negative Bitcoin forecast was supported by the usually optimistic analyst Inmortal, who pointed to a target level of $22,000. However, Inmortal is confident that the cryptocurrency will be able to recover its position promptly.

As of the evening of Friday, May 26, BTC/USD is trading at $26,755. The total market capitalization of the crypto market stands at $1.123 trillion ($1.126 trillion a week ago). The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has remained relatively unchanged over the past seven days and is currently in the Neutral zone at a level of 49 (48 points a week ago).


NordFX Analytical Group


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

CryptoNews of the Week

– Michael Saylor, the CEO of MicroStrategy, conducted a Twitter poll on the importance of the U.S. presidential candidates supporting cryptocurrencies for the upcoming 2024 elections. As of May 29, the poll had garnered participation from 31,200 users. Nearly 84% of the respondents answered "yes," while only 16% voted against it.
It is worth noting that in recent times, some American politicians have increasingly expressed their willingness to foster the development of the crypto industry if elected as president. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida recently stated his opposition to the implementation of a digital dollar and voiced his support for Bitcoin. He criticized the approach of the Joe Biden administration towards crypto assets, believing that overly stringent regulatory measures could stifle the industry's growth in the country.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Democratic Party candidate, is also convinced that Bitcoin can save people from financial collapse. The politician pledged to protect the rights of Bitcoin owners and miners if he becomes president.

– After significant and tumultuous events in the crypto space in 2022 and early 2023, such as the FTX crash in November and numerous other bankruptcies including Celsius, Voyager Digital, and Three Arrows Capital, bitcoin managed to reduce its losses and grow by over 60% since the beginning of this year. Business Insider gathered expert opinions on what could happen to the leading cryptocurrency by the end of 2023.
Charmyn Ho, Head of Analytics at the crypto exchange Bybit, believes that bitcoin won't be able to reach a new all-time high until the macroeconomic environment becomes clearer. This depends on the forecast of a potential recession in the US, Europe, and other major economies due to an inverted yield curve combined with a range of other unfavourable macroeconomic factors such as inflation. Another factor to consider is the halving, although it is expected to occur in April 2024.
According to Jagdeep Sidhu, President of the Syscoin Foundation, despite several crypto storms, the ecosystem's resilience remains evident. The market has recovered from the FTX debacle, showcasing its ability to absorb shocks and evolve. If inflation in the US decreases and there is more regulatory clarity regarding digital assets, bitcoin could reach $38,000 by the end of the year, roughly 40% higher than the current value.
Based on Tim Shan's scenario, Chief Operating Officer of the crypto exchange Dexalot, bitcoin will trade in a range of $25,000 to $32,000 by the end of 2023. However, if inflation remains high, it may return to the lows seen earlier this year.
David Uhryniak, Director of Ecosystem Development at TRON, is confident that bitcoin will finish the year above $35,000. According to him, traders are not rushing to invest significant amounts of money and want to assess the direction of the leading cryptocurrency and the market as a whole. By the fourth quarter of 2023, much of the uncertainty should dissipate.

– According to analysts at JPMorgan, the price of bitcoin is expected to rise to $45,000. This is indicated by the current price of gold, which is nearly $2,000 per ounce. Analysts state that these two assets typically move in tandem. JPMorgan strategists estimate that the value of physical gold held outside central banks is currently valued at approximately $3 trillion. This implies a price of digital gold around $45,000 per coin, assuming that the volume of bitcoin in private investor portfolios aligns with the volume of the precious metal.
However, the $45,000 price is considered by JPMorgan analysts as the upper limit for bitcoin, suggesting limited potential for the asset. Nevertheless, this calculation does not take into account the halving event and the increased costs for miners. The upcoming halving in 2024 will automatically double the cost of bitcoin mining to around $40,000, and historically, this figure has served as the lower bound for the asset's price.
Regarding Ethereum, JPMorgan notes that the altcoin may face some selling pressure and is expected to lag behind bitcoin in terms of growth in the near term.

– Renowned cryptocurrency analyst, Tone Vays, believes that bitcoin is exiting its consolidation phase, with many investors having already "bought the bitcoin dip," indicating that the leading cryptocurrency is gearing up for further growth. However, in order to continue this upward trajectory, bitcoin needs to overcome resistance at the $30,000 level. If the bulls manage to do so, BTC is poised to reach new price highs.
"It is indeed time for bitcoin to rise," says Vays. "Although, when looking at the weekly chart, the bulls lack strength. [...] There is still time to overcome resistance. We need to surpass $30,000, reverse the Lucid SAR indicator, and then we will rise to $34,000, where another resistance level awaits."
For reference, the Lucid SAR indicator is a variation of the Parabolic SAR indicator. It is a trend-following indicator that combines price and time to calculate trends and determine entry and exit points.

– Arthur Hayes, the former CEO of BitMEX, believes that 2023 will be highly volatile for bitcoin due to the actions of the US Federal Reserve, but he does not expect the cryptocurrency to reach new records. "I don't think bitcoin will reach $70,000 this year. It is more likely that we will surpass this level next year, after the halving. Bitcoin will continue to grow in 2025 and 2026. And then, I expect an apocalypse. This situation will not occur when everyone expects it... We are currently sitting on a powder keg - the US has printed a huge amount of money, there is no trust in it, and people are trying to earn a living," muses Hayes.
It's worth noting that these are the personal opinions and speculations of Arthur Hayes, and they do not represent a guaranteed forecast for the future performance of bitcoin. Cryptocurrency markets are inherently volatile and subject to various factors, making it challenging to predict their exact trajectory.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

– Researchers from VanEck have presented three price scenarios for Ethereum in 2030. In the base case scenario, the coin would be valued at $11,849. In the bullish scenario, the ETH price would reach $51,006, while in the unfavorable bearish scenario, the coin would plummet to $343. "Our estimates are based on the assumption that Ethereum will become the dominant global open-source settlement network. A significant portion of the commercial activity of high-profit potential business sectors will be conducted on the platform. The dominant platform is likely to capture the lion's share of the market," write VanEck analysts.
The report also notes that Ethereum is likely to become a store of wealth similar to bitcoin but with some differences. "We argue that ETH goes beyond being a transactional currency or a commodity similar to oil or gas. We believe that the coin is not a full-fledged store of value like Bitcoin due to the potential for code changes in Ethereum and the overall utility-focused nature of the project. However, this cryptocurrency can become a savings asset for government organizations seeking to maximize human capital.".

– The government of Bali, Indonesia, implemented strict measures at the end of May against cryptocurrency payments for goods and services, reminding tourists that the Indonesian rupiah is the only legal tender. Crypto tourists will face severe consequences, including administrative sanctions, deportation, and even criminal prosecution. As a result, some members of the crypto community have reconsidered their plans to visit Bali.
Tourism plays a crucial role in the island's economy, contributing 28% of its revenue. If a portion of tourists stops visiting the resort, it could lead to various economic problems, including increased unemployment and a decline in people's income.

– Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, believes that the bitcoin network can be an effective tool in combating bots and fake accounts. The businessman cited the use of bots on social media as an example. According to him, the digital "civil war" in modern society is fuelled by billions of fake accounts that sow hatred among real users. With the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, creating deepfakes has become much easier, while detecting them has become more challenging.

The head of MicroStrategy believes that decentralized identity (DID) solutions can address this issue, increase trust, and ensure secure and independent data exchange. For example, if someone wants to launch billions of bots on Twitter, it would cost them billions of transactions. By integrating cryptocurrencies into social networks and leveraging the capabilities of the decentralized bitcoin network, such actions would become costly and have serious consequences, according to Saylor.

– According to popular analyst Credible Crypto, bitcoin could replicate the impulse waves of growth observed in previous bull cycles and set a new price record as early as 2023. "I keep hearing that it's unrealistic for Bitcoin to set a new price record this year. But I think we need to compare it to the last impulse in 2020. Remember, it took Bitcoin about three months to surpass the $10,000 level. But within the following two months, it grew by an additional 90%. And just four months later, it set a price record, increasing fivefold from $10,000. So don't tell me that anything is impossible for Bitcoin. We'll likely see it at new highs, possibly even this year," wrote Credible Crypto.

– Nova, a specialist in tracking crypto whales' activities, has discovered an average trader who has become a major holder of digital assets in just five months. Trader 0x743 has executed successful trades since January of this year and now boasts a record realized profit of over 10,000%, with their current portfolio valued at approximately $578,345. Nova noted that the crypto whale's success is attributed to a successful trading strategy rather than mere luck. 0x743 did not make reckless purchases and demonstrated "discipline and good trading behaviour."
It's worth noting that the crypto market is highly volatile, and extraordinary profits come with inherent risks. Individual trading outcomes can vary, and it's important for traders to exercise caution, conduct thorough research, and make informed decisions when engaging in cryptocurrency trading.


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #forex #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

Crypto Traders Vote for NordFX Once Again

The broker NordFX has once again affirmed the high quality of services it provides to its clients. Based on the results of the vote on the international Forex portal, FXDailyinfo, the company was awarded the title of "Best Crypto Trading Platform - 2023".

FXDailyInfo is a vital information resource that provides daily news and financial market analytics, including broker reviews, educational materials, bonus and promotion information, and other valuable insights for traders. The FXDailyInfo Awards, on the other hand, are annual accolades given for exceptional achievements and contributions to various segments of the financial market, awarded to companies and individuals based on the open voting of portal visitors.

In 2019, NordFX was named the "Best Cryptocurrency Broker" at the FXDailyInfo Awards. Now, four years later, the title of "Best Crypto Trading Platform" has reaffirmed NordFX's solid reputation in the world of online cryptocurrency trading. During the voting, visitors cited the following reasons for their decision:

- A wide selection of cryptocurrency pairs, allowing traders to find the most profitable trading opportunities at any given moment.
- Advanced analytical features and tools, reviews, and forecasts, which help traders make informed trading decisions.
- Cutting-edge security technologies that NordFX employs to protect its clients' funds. Unlike many cryptocurrency exchanges, NordFX has never been hacked in all its years of operation, and not a single cent of client funds has ever been stolen.
- Ease of use. The MetaTrader-4 platform has an intuitive interface, making cryptocurrency trading accessible to people of various experience levels.
- Extremely fast order execution. The presence of modern technologies allows for order execution in just 0.5 seconds, enabling NordFX traders to take maximum advantage of rapidly changing market conditions.
- The ability to profit both in rising and falling markets, without the need to physically own cryptocurrency.
- Finally, the availability of margin trading is a critical factor. It suffices to say that to open a transaction of 1 Bitcoin, you only need $150, only $15 for a transaction in 1 Ethereum, and $0.02 for a trade of 1 Ripple. This means that traders can trade cryptocurrency volumes tens and hundreds of times exceeding their own funds, which significantly boosts potential profits.


Notice: These materials should not be deemed a recommendation for investment or guidance for working on financial markets: they are for informative purposes only. Trading on financial markets is risky and can lead to a loss of money deposited.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

NordFX CopyTrading: 5,343% Profit from Gold Trades

The brokerage firm NordFX has summed up the results of its clients' trading transactions for May 2023. The social trading services, CopyTrading and PAMM, as well as the profit earned by the company's IB partners, were also evaluated.

- The leader for the month was a trader from Western Asia, account number 1692XXX, who made a profit of 130,874 USD. This substantial result was achieved through trades with gold (XAU/USD) and the British pound (GBP/USD).
- The second step of the podium was taken by a representative from Southern Asia, account number 1679XXX, with a result of 33,895 USD, also made through trades with gold (XAU/USD).
- In third place was another trader from Southern Asia, account number 1549XXX, who earned 24,857 USD in May through trades with the euro (EUR/USD) and the British pound (GBP/USD).

In NordFX's passive investment services, the situation was as follows:

- In CopyTrading, we continue to track the fate of the "veteran" signal KennyFXPRO - Prismo 2K. It continues to recover from the shock of November 14, 2022, when its maximum drawdown exceeded 67%. As of today, it has achieved a profit of 348% over 757 days. Another signal under the same "brand" also draws attention: KennyFXPRO - Variables_RBB 35. In its 175 days of existence, it has shown a relatively modest profit of 40%. However, what makes this signal interesting is that this profit was achieved with a fairly moderate drawdown of 24%.

One notable start-up signal is Future Forex, whose provider managed to achieve a 91% profit from GBP/USD trades over 68 days, with a maximum drawdown of about 30%.

Finally, the super-hit of the last two months: Trade2win. In just 62 days, this signal has achieved a phenomenal profit of 5,343% from gold (XAU/USD) trades, with an equally remarkable drawdown of less than 15%. Trade2win's trading style is not overly aggressive: there are few trades, and the average leverage is far from the maximum possible, ranging between 50 and 150. Despite these impressive achievements, it's important to remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future success, and that trading in financial markets is risky. Thus, to avoid losing funds, subscribers should exercise maximum caution and always adhere to money management principles.

- The PAMM service showcase still features two accounts we have mentioned several times in previous reviews. These are KennyFXPRO-The Multi 3000 EA and TranquilityFX-The Genesis v3. On November 14, 2022, like their CopyTrading colleagues, they suffered significant losses – drawdown approached 43% at that point. However, the PAMM managers decided not to give up, and as of May 31, 2023, the profit on the first of these accounts exceeded 100%, and on the second, 66%. We also continue to monitor the Trade and Earn account. It was opened more than a year ago, but lay dormant, awakening only in November. As a result, over the past 7 months, its return has exceeded 100% with a very small drawdown of less than 10%.

Among NordFX's IB partners, the Top 3 looks as follows:
- The largest commission reward of the month, amounting to 10,370 USD, was credited to a partner from Western Asia, account No. 1645XXX.
- In second place is a partner from Southern Asia, account No. 1668XXX, who received 9,093 USD.
- The top three is rounded off by a partner from Eastern Asia, account No. 1218XXX,


Notice: These materials should not be deemed a recommendation for investment or guidance for working on financial markets: they are for informative purposes only. Trading on financial markets is risky and can lead to a loss of money deposited.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[AnalyticsTrade]

Thank you for sharing the weekly forex and cryptocurrencies forecast! It's always insightful to read expert opinions and analysis. The forecast provides valuable information on the EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY pairs, and Bitcoin. The upcoming US presidential election, COVID-19, and economic factors are expected to have significant impacts on these markets. It will be interesting to see how the events unfold and how the currencies and cryptocurrencies respond. Thank you for sharing this valuable information, and I look forward to future updates!

 

[Stan NordFX]

Forex and Cryptocurrencies Forecast for June 05 - 09, 2023​

EUR/USD: Will the Dollar Return to Steady Growth?

The dollar has been rising since May 4. The DXY Index reached the 104.609 mark on the last day of spring, May 31. It hasn't soared this high since January 2023. As we have previously mentioned, two primary factors were propelling the American currency upwards.

The first one is the investors' appetite for the dollar as a safe-haven asset, triggered by the threat of a U.S. default. However, the Senate voted in favour of passing a bill on the public debt limit last week. Consequently, the default threat has finally passed, which has improved market sentiments and weakened demand for the dollar.

The second factor was the anticipation of a further rise in the key Federal Reserve interest rate. Amid hawkish statements from officials, the probability that the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) would increase the rate to 5.5% at its June 14 meeting rose above 60% by the end of May.

However, as the old song goes, "a beauty's heart is prone to change and fickleness". The first to play the role of such a "beauty" was the new Vice President of the Federal Reserve, Philip Jefferson, who subtly hinted at the need for a pause in the monetary tightening process. Furthermore, Patrick Harker, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, outright stated that "we should skip the rate hike at least at the June meeting". Then, Harker went even further and suggested skipping every other FOMC meeting, naturally including the one in June. Market participants immediately recalled Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, who had also mentioned a pause.

Strong US macroeconomic data could have aided the dollar. However, the employment report from ADP released on Thursday, June 1, showed that the number of jobs in the private sector decreased from 291K in April to 278K in May. Meanwhile, the number of initial unemployment claims, albeit slightly, increased from 230K to 232K. The cooling of the economy was also indicated by the fall in the ISM's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in the manufacturing sector from 47.1 to 46.9. (As a reminder, if the PMI is below 50, it indicates economic contraction, especially if the trend persists over several months). The substantial revision of data on unit labour costs for Q1 2023, which was downgraded from 6.3% to 4.2%, also fuelled dovish expectations. Such weak statistics added doubts for market participants about another rate hike on June 14th. As a result, according to the FedWatch Tool from CME Group, the chances of this happening have plummeted from 60% to 25%. The DXY Index also took a southern turn.

If the US statistics on June 1 worked against the American currency, the data from Europe the day before, on May 31, conversely, helped EUR/USD reach a 9-week low at 1.0634. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation in the Eurozone is on a downward trend. With a previous value of 7.0% and a forecast of 6.3%, the actual CPI dropped to 6.1%. If we talk about individual countries, the rate of consumer price growth in Italy fell from 8.7% to 8.1%, in France - from 6.9% to 6.0%, and in Germany - from 7.6% to 6.3%. In Spain, the CPI fell to a two-year low.

At the same time, with the decrease in inflation, the chances for further aggressive tightening of its monetary policy by the European Central Bank also went downhill. Although, at its next meeting on June 15, the ECB is still likely to raise the rate by 25 basis points (bp) to 4.0%, even after this, it will still remain below the current Federal Reserve rate of 5.25%. And if the ECB stops there and takes a pause, it will deprive EUR/USD bulls of an important trump card.

Strong labor market statistics, traditionally due on the first Friday of the month, June 2, could have helped the dollar towards the end of the week. The NFP (Non-Farm Payrolls) lived up to expectations: the number of new jobs created outside the agricultural sector, with a previous value of 294K and a forecasted fall to 180K, actually increased to 339K. However, another important indicator, the unemployment rate, disappointed investors: the unemployment rate in the US reached 3.7% in May (3.4% in April, forecast 3.5%).

Following such an ambiguous employment report, the pair ended the five-day period at a level of 1.0707. As for the near-term prospects, at the time of writing the review, the evening of June 2, the forecast is as neutral as possible: 50% of analysts expect the pair to move north, and just as many expect it to move south. Both among trend indicators and oscillators on D1, a substantial advantage is on the side of the dollar - 85% of each are coloured red, with 15% on the green side. Among trend indicators, 85% side with the reds (15% side with the greens). The pair's nearest support is located around 1.0680, followed by zones and levels at 1.0620-1.0635 and 1.0490-1.0525. Bulls will meet resistance around 1.0745-1.0707, then 1.0800-1.0835, 1.0865, 1.0895-1.0925, 1.0985, 1.1045, and 1.1090-1.1110.

For the upcoming week's calendar, it is worth noting Monday, June 5, when the ISM's Service Sector PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) for the US will be known. The EIA's (Energy Information Administration's) Energy Market Outlook and data on US crude oil reserves may cause some volatility on Tuesday and Wednesday. Additionally, Eurozone retail sales volumes will be announced on Tuesday, June 6. Thursday, June 8 could also be quite volatile, with data coming in on Eurozone GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and the US unemployment rate.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

GBP/USD: UK Inflation Propels Pound Upwards

Over the last week, the pound has recovered all of its losses from May 12 to May 25. This occurred after last week's inflation figures in the UK shocked the market with an unexpected increase. The April release reported a rise in consumer prices by 1.2%, compared to the 0.8% increase recorded a month earlier. The core Consumer Price Index reached multi-year highs, hitting 6.8% YoY, exceeding the predicted 6.2%. Although annual inflation has slowed from 10.1% to 8.7%, it still exceeded the 8.2% forecast. This is a 13-month low, but still significantly above the target level. In particular, food inflation reached 19.1%, a level not seen since 1977. This figure greatly impacts low-income households, forcing them to spend more on food and less on other goods and services.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has already stated the need to continue a hawkish monetary policy course, despite increasing recession risks. The official noted that economic recovery is only possible if inflation is fully defeated. As a result, investors have become more confident that the Bank of England (BoE) will raise the rate by 25 basis points at its next meeting, and likely will not stop there.

There's another factor that allowed GBP/USD to reach 1.2544 on June 2. If the dollar was strengthening its position energetically in mid-May, last week the US currency found itself under selling pressure (the reasons were indicated earlier), which facilitated a rally of GBP/USD. After the release of US labour market data, it concluded on the note of 1.2450.

In the current situation, the median forecast of analysts looks as follows: 45% of experts maintain a bullish outlook, 30% prefer the bears, and the same percentage (25%) chose to abstain from comments. Among oscillators on D1, only 15% recommend selling, 50% are set to buy, and 35% are painted in a neutral grey colour. Among trend indicators, the balance of power between green and red is 85% to 15% in favour of the greens.

If the pair moves south, its support levels and zones are 1.2390-1.2420, 1.2300-1.2330, 1.2275, 1.2200-1.2210. In the event of the pair's rise, it will meet resistance at levels 1.2480, 1.2510, 1.2540, 1.2570, 1.2610-1.2635, 1.2675-1.2700, 1.2820, and 1.2940.

The Composite Business Activity Index (PMI), as well as the PMI in the services sector of the United Kingdom will be published the next week, on Monday, June 5. The picture of business activity will be supplemented by the PMI in the country's construction sector the following day, Tuesday, June 6.

USD/JPY: The Pair Seeks a Return to Earth

The previous review was titled "USD/JPY Received a 'Ticket to the Moon'. As for the current one, it could be called "The Pair Seeks a Return to Earth". Or at least, it tries to do so, justifying the forecast given by 75% of analysts a week ago. If the pair reached its maximum for the past five-day period (and the last six months) on May 30 at the height of 140.92, the minimum on June 01 was 250 points lower, at 138.42. However, then the ambition to reach the stars took over again, and the pair finished at the level of 139.95.

It's clear that the yen's strengthening in recent days has been directly tied to the weakening of the dollar. However, when it comes to future prospects, things are very unclear and uncertain. Let's just quote a few statements.

Speaking in Parliament, Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said that it will take some time to reach the 2.0% price growth target. He also added that he can't specify when this target will be reached. Moreover, the BoJ chief believes that setting strict timelines to achieve this goal could cause unexpected consequences for the market and hence is undesirable.

On Friday, June 2, a statement was also issued by Japan's Finance Minister, Shunichi Suzuki. In his opinion, currency rate movements are determined by the market and various factors. He also mentioned: "A weak yen has various impacts on Japan's economy". However, the Minister did not specify what these "various factors" are and what kind of "various impacts" he was referring to.

In the current situation, economists at ING, the largest banking group in the Netherlands, believe that "USD/JPY appears overvalued compared to trading conditions, which are now much more favorable for the yen than a year ago." They also note that "there is still a risk that the Bank of Japan will surprise on June 16, further normalizing its yield curve control policy," which would be a positive factor for the yen.

Strategists from Wells Fargo, one of the "big four" U.S. banks, are also relatively optimistic about the future of the Japanese currency, expecting the yen to be the main beneficiary of a weakening U.S. dollar. They believe that "The Bank of Japan will adjust its policy in Q4 2023 for further normalization of the government bond market," which could provide an opportunity for the yen to strengthen by the end of the year. "The strengthening of the yen should also be supported by the end of the global central bank tightening cycle and a transition to global easing, as well as a recession in the U.S. in the second half of 2023," Wells Fargo strategists said. "We are targeting a USD/JPY rate of 136.00 by the end of 2023 and 129.00 by the end of 2024." (end of quote).

As for the near future of the pair, the voices of analysts are distributed as follows. At this point, 65% of them are hoping for further strengthening of the Japanese currency and movement of the pair to the south. Only 25% of experts vote for a rise in the dollar, and the remaining 10% have taken a neutral position. Among the indicators on D1, the absolute advantage is on the side of the dollar: 100% of trend indicators and 85% of oscillators point north (10% signal overbought conditions). The remaining 15% of oscillators point south. The nearest support level is in the 139.45 area, followed by levels and zones 138.75-139.05, 137.50, 135.90-136.10, 134.85-135.15, 134.40, 133.60, 132.80-133.00, 132.00, 131.25, 130.50-130.60 and 129.65. The nearest resistance is 140.90-141.00, then bulls will need to overcome obstacles at levels 142.20, 143.50 and 144.90-145.10. And from there it's not far to the October 2022 high of 151.95.

No significant economic information concerning the Japanese economy is anticipated in the coming week. The exception is Thursday, June 8, when the volume of Japan's GDP for Q1 2023 will be announced.

continued below...

 

[Stan NordFX]

CRYPTOCURRENCIES: A Moderately Positive Forecast for Bitcoin

After bouncing off the $25,850 support on May 25, the bulls launched an attack, instilling hope in the hearts of investors. However, their strength proved insufficient to reach the $29,000 resistance level. A local peak was recorded on May 29 at $28,433, after which BTC/USD retreated to the $26,500 support, leaving investors disappointed.

This dynamic was likely triggered by speculations surrounding the US government debt. Although, upon examining the charts, there was no direct correlation with stock indices (S&P500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq), nor was there an inverse correlation with the Dollar Index (DXY) observed in bitcoin quotes.

After significant and tumultuous events in the crypto space in 2022 and early 2023, such as the FTX crash in November and numerous other bankruptcies, including Celsius, Voyager Digital, and Three Arrows Capital, bitcoin managed to recover its losses and grow by over 60%. However, a period of calm ensued for eleven weeks. Renowned cryptocurrency analyst Ton Vays believes that the leading cryptocurrency is concluding its consolidation phase, with many investors already "buying the bitcoin dip," indicating that BTC is preparing for further growth. To achieve this, though, it must overcome resistance at the $30,000 level. If the "bulls" succeed, BTC will reach new price highs.

"It is indeed time for bitcoin to grow," says Vays. "However, looking at the weekly chart, the bulls lack strength. [...] There is still time to overcome resistance. We need to surpass $30,000, reverse the Lucid SAR indicator, and then we will rise to $34,000, where another resistance awaits." (For reference: The Lucid SAR indicator is a variation of the Parabolic SAR. It is a trend-following indicator that combines price and time to calculate trends and determine entry and exit points.)

According to analysts at JPMorgan, the price of bitcoin is expected to rise to $45,000. This is indicated by the current price of gold, which is close to $2,000 per ounce. Analysts note that these two assets usually move in tandem. Based on JPMorgan strategists' calculations, the value of physical gold held outside central banks is currently estimated at around $3 trillion. This implies a price of digital gold, or bitcoin, at around $45,000 per coin, assuming the volume of bitcoin in private investors' portfolios matches that of the precious metal.

However, analysts at JPMorgan view $45,000 as the upper limit for bitcoin's price, suggesting limited potential for the asset. This calculation does not take into account the halving process and the increasing costs for miners. The upcoming halving in 2024 will automatically double the cost of bitcoin mining to approximately $40,000, and historically, this figure has served as the lower boundary for the asset's price.

When it comes to miners, the situation is twofold. In pursuit of profits, they contribute to the increasing computational difficulty. Over the past five months of 2023, the difficulty has grown by 45%, equal to the growth seen throughout the entire year of 2022. The price increase of bitcoin in Q1 of this year added optimism among miners, leading them to actively expand their computing power. However, this had the opposite effect, as the increased difficulty impacted mining profitability, bringing it down to levels seen on January 13 when BTC was trading at $19,000.

Former CEO of BitMEX, Arthur Hayes, believes that 2023 will be highly volatile for bitcoin due to the actions of the Federal Reserve System (FRS) in the United States. However, he does not expect the cryptocurrency to reach new all-time highs this year. Hayes states, "I don't think bitcoin will reach $70,000 this year. Most likely, we will surpass that level next year after the halving. Bitcoin will continue to grow in 2025 and 2026. And then, I anticipate an apocalypse. This situation will occur when least expected... We are currently sitting on a powder keg: the US has printed a massive amount of money, there is a lack of trust in them, and people are trying to make a living for themselves," Hayes concludes.

Popular analyst Credible Crypto disagrees with him. According to his opinion, bitcoin may replicate the impulsive waves of growth observed in previous bull cycles and set a new price record as early as 2023. "I keep hearing that it's impossible for bitcoin to reach a new all-time high this year. But I think we need to compare it to the last impulse in 2020. Remember, it took bitcoin about three months to surpass the $10,000 level. But within the next two months, it increased by another 90%. And just four months later, it set a new price record, growing fivefold from $10,000. So don't tell me that anything is impossible for bitcoin. We'll see it at new highs, most likely this year," Credible Crypto burst with optimism.

The publication Business Insider has also taken an interest in expert forecasts regarding what may happen to the leading cryptocurrency by the end of 2023. Charmyn Ho, Head of Analytics at the crypto exchange Bybit, believes that bitcoin will not be able to reach a new high until the macroeconomic environment becomes clearer. It all depends on the potential forecast of a recession in the US, Europe, and other major economies due to an inverted yield curve combined with a range of other unfavorable macroeconomic factors, such as inflation. The halving factor should also be taken into account, although it is expected to occur in April 2024.

According to Jagdeep Sidhu, President of the Syscoin Foundation, despite several crypto storms, the resilience of the ecosystem remains evident. The market has recovered from the ashes of FTX, with its inherent ability to absorb shocks and evolve. If inflation in the US decreases and there is more clarity in terms of regulating digital assets, bitcoin could reach the $38,000 mark by the end of the year, which is approximately 40% higher than the current level.

According to the scenario presented by Tim Shan, Chief Operating Officer of the crypto exchange Dexalot, bitcoin is expected to trade in a range of $25,000 to $32,000 by the end of 2023. However, if inflation remains high, it may return to the lows seen earlier this year.

David Uhryniak, Director of Ecosystem Development at TRON, is confident that bitcoin will finish the year above $35,000. According to him, traders are not rushing to invest significant amounts of money and want to see which direction the leading cryptocurrency and the market as a whole will move. By Q4 2023, most of the uncertainties should disappear.

The cryptocurrency market is not solely reliant on bitcoin. It's been a while since we discussed the second most significant cryptocurrency, ethereum. This altcoin also demonstrates high volatility, and investment returns depend heavily on the entry point. For example, the coin's price increased from $90 to $4,855 from March 2020 to November 2021, a more than 50-fold gain. However, it had dropped to $880 by June 2022, losing 80% of its value. Looking at the returns from the beginning of 2018 to the present, they stand at a modest 30%.

Researchers from VanEck have presented three price scenarios for ethereum over a seven-year horizon. In the base case scenario, the coin will be valued at $11,849 in 2030. In the bullish scenario, ETH could reach $51,006, while in the unfavourable bearish scenario, ethereum would plummet to $343. "Our estimates are based on the assumption that ethereum will become the dominant global network for transactions, hosting a significant portion of the most profitable business sectors. The dominant platform is likely to capture the lion's share of the market," write the VanEck analysts.

The report also notes that ethereum is likely to become a store of wealth, much like bitcoin, but with some differences. "We argue that ETH goes beyond being a transactional currency or a commodity-like oil or gas. We believe the coin is not a full-fledged store of value like bitcoin, due to the potential for code changes in ethereum and the project's utility-focused position. Nevertheless, this cryptocurrency can become a savings asset for government organizations seeking to maximize human capital."

However, according to JPMorgan strategists, the main threat to the number one altcoin comes from government organizations. It is their pressure and selling activity that poses a challenge for ethereum, and in the near future, it may lag behind bitcoin in terms of growth. This became particularly noticeable after SEC Chairman Gary Gensler stated that "everything other than bitcoin" falls under securities laws. "Crypto tokens and crypto securities will be regulated and may even cease to exist. Bitcoin is the only commodity that the SEC does not intend to regulate. Bitcoin is the safest network and the safest asset," commented MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor on Gensler's statement.

At the time of writing this review on the evening of Friday, June 2, BTC/USD is trading at $27,155, and ETH/USD is trading at $1,900. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $1.149 trillion ($1.123 trillion a week ago). Bitcoin's dominance in the market is 47.51%, while ethereum accounts for 20.65%. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has remained relatively unchanged over the past seven days and is currently in the Neutral zone at 50 points (compared to 49 points a week ago).


NordFX Analytical Group


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market

 

[Stan NordFX]

XAU/USD: Historical Overview and Forecast Until 2027

Gold is one of the favourite trading instruments of the most successful traders at NordFX. This can be easily confirmed by looking at the monthly rankings published by this brokerage company. That is why it is appropriate to provide a special review, focusing solely on the XAU/USD pair.

Is Gold Truly a Protective Asset?

In the current economic situation, as leading central banks worldwide attempt to curb inflation, the price of this precious metal has reached a historic high, hitting $2,080 per troy ounce on May 4. Market participants are rushing to buy gold, believing it can safeguard their capital from devaluation.

According to a survey conducted by Bloomberg, approximately 50% of respondents identified gold as their primary safe-haven asset (with US Treasury bonds coming in second place, receiving only 15% of the votes). However, is gold truly an effective tool for hedging price risks, or is this a widespread misconception?

Consider, for instance, the period from March to October 2022 when gold prices fell from $2,070 to $1,616, a decline of almost 22%. This occurred despite the fact that inflation in the United States reached a 40-year peak during that time. So, what kind of protective asset is gold, then?

The Growth of Gold Prices

If we trace the dynamics of gold prices since the beginning of the 20th century, we observe the following pattern. In the year 1900, the price of this precious metal was approximately $20 per troy ounce.

During the period from 1914 to 1918, amidst and immediately after World War I, the price rose to around $35. Then, in the 1930s, during the Great Depression and as a result of currency reforms in the United States, the price was set at $20.67 per troy ounce. Throughout World War II, the value of the asset remained stable and was fixed at $35 under the Bretton Woods system, the same level as during World War I.

In 1971, the United States abandoned the gold standard, which led to floating exchange rates and an increase in the price of gold. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the price exceeded the $800 mark per troy ounce due to geopolitical tensions, inflation, and a reduction in gold production. From the 1980s to the 2000s, the price of gold declined and fluctuated within a range of approximately $250 to $500.

Since the early 2000s, there has been a significant increase in the price of gold due to geopolitical events, financial instability, and inflationary pressures. In August 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty, the price of gold surpassed the $2,000 mark per troy ounce for the first time. However, following this peak, it experienced a decline due to expectations of economic recovery, tightening monetary policies by central banks, rising interest rates, and various other factors.

A subsequent unsuccessful attempt to break above the $2,000 resistance level occurred in March 2022. Finally, the third surge occurred in May of this year.

Why Gold Prices Are Rising

So, what contributes to the value of gold and why does its price rise?

- Rarity and Limited Supply: Gold is a rare metal, and its extraction is limited and requires significant efforts and resources.
- Durability and Longevity: Gold is highly resistant to wear and corrosion. It retains its physical properties over time, making it suitable for long-term storage and attractive for use in jewellery and various industries.
- Store of Value: Gold has long been considered a store of value. It can preserve its purchasing power over extended periods, serving as a hedge against inflation and the instability of stocks and currencies.
- Liquidity and Recognizability: Gold is universally recognized and accepted as an asset. It can be easily exchanged for cash or used as a medium of payment in different countries and cultures.
- These factors contribute to the desirability and demand for gold, thus driving its price upward.

Factors Influencing Gold Prices

Let's delve into the factors that influence the price of gold. It's important to note that there is no direct correlation between the price of gold and each of these factors individually. Market forecasts and the combination of these factors also play a role in determining gold prices. For example, the recent surge in XAU/USD can be attributed to expectations of a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike cycle, potential U.S. debt default, as well as geopolitical and economic instability due to Russia's armed actions in Ukraine. Now, let's explore the key factors:

- Economic Conditions: The global economic situation, including GDP growth or decline, unemployment, and overall financial stability, can impact gold prices. Uncertainty in the markets or a recession, for instance, may increase demand for gold as a risk-free asset.
- Geopolitical Events: Political and geopolitical events such as armed conflicts, wars, terrorist acts, sanctions, elections, etc., can cause market instability and uncertainty, leading to an increased demand for gold as a safe haven.
- Inflation: The level of inflation plays a crucial role in determining the value of gold. When inflation rises, the price of gold typically follows suit as investors seek protection against the devaluation of money.
- Central Banks: Actions taken by central banks, including changes in interest rates, can influence gold prices. For example, a decrease in interest rates may stimulate demand for gold as holding it becomes comparatively more attractive than other assets.
- Currency Movements: Fluctuations in exchange rates between different countries can also impact the price of gold. If the currency of a gold-producing country weakens against other currencies, the price of gold in that currency may increase, stimulating exports and raising the demand for gold.
- Investment Demand: Investment demand includes the purchase of gold bars, coins, and futures market transactions. Demand typically rises when trust in fiat currencies weakens.
- It's important to consider the interplay of these factors and market expectations when assessing the price of gold.

Forecast: Will the Price of Gold Rise?

When it comes to forecasts, it's important to note that they are mere assumptions based on available information and analysis. As mentioned before, the gold market is complex and subject to the influence of multiple factors. Any forecasts are subjective assessments and can change depending on economic and geopolitical situations, as well as changes in market demand and supply. However, it should be acknowledged that some forecasts have proven to be relatively accurate.

Here are a few examples of such forecasts made before September 2021. In May 2021, analysts at Goldman Sachs predicted that the price of gold would reach $2,000 per troy ounce by 2024. Two months later, their counterparts at Bank of America made the exact same forecast. The touch of this resistance level occurred one year earlier. However, whether XAU/USD will be able to sustainably establish itself above this level, turning it from resistance to support, remains to be seen.

Currently, Goldman Sachs strategists are indicating a target of $2,200. Meanwhile, the Swiss financial holding UBS believes that the price of gold may rise to $2,100 by the end of 2023 and to $2,200 by March 2024. (It's worth noting that their previous forecast projected a peak of $2,400 for this year). Similar figures are mentioned by analysts at the Economic Forecasting Agency, who believe that the price of gold may even exceed $2,400, but this is expected to occur only in 2027.

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At the beginning of this overview, we raised the question of whether gold is a protective asset. In his early statements, Warren Buffett expressed scepticism about investing in gold, referring to it as an unproductive asset that doesn't generate income. However, looking at the chart, it becomes clear that he was mistaken. Even the legendary investor himself acknowledged this and later expressed a positive attitude towards gold as a store of value. Prominent financier George Soros also recognized gold as a diversification asset that provides protection against inflation and political instability. Ray Dalio, the founder of investment firm Bridgewater Associates, recommended including this precious metal in one's portfolio.

Most likely, they are all correct, and in the foreseeable future, gold will retain its role as a primary capital preserver. However, it is always important to remember that the effectiveness of any investment depends on the entry point. If the timing of a trade is chosen incorrectly, it is possible that your deposit may start to decrease. Nevertheless, in the case of gold, the probability of XAU/USD rising again is significantly higher than that of many fiat currencies. To withstand drawdowns and ultimately achieve profit, sound money management, as well as time and patience, are necessary.


NordFX Analytical Group


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

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[Stan NordFX]

CryptoNews of the Week

– American bitcoin exchanges are likely to be required to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as brokers, and all cryptocurrencies will be classified as securities. These conclusions were drawn by strategists at JPMorgan bank. According to experts, such a situation will exert significant pressure on the industry. However, they believe that this approach also has positive aspects, as digital assets will be subject to the same legislation as traditional ones.
JPMorgan analysts noted that the actions of the SEC highlight the need for U.S. lawmakers to develop a clear regulatory framework. According to them, otherwise, the crypto industry is likely to leave the United States and relocate to other jurisdictions, while venture financing in the sector will decline. The new rules will "rid the industry of bad practices and dishonest players, which, in turn, is necessary for the industry to mature and witness more active institutional participation."
It is worth recalling that earlier, the SEC filed lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase, accusing the platforms of selling unregistered assets. In the court documents, the SEC named over a dozen tokens as securities. According to experts, a regulator's victory could lead to the delisting of these coins and limit the potential development of their blockchains. In total, over 60 coins have already ended up on the regulator's blacklist.

– According to the analytical platform Glassnode, investor behavior has noticeably shifted the distribution of Bitcoin across regions. Experts from the company have reported a significant decline in the share of American players, whose dominance peaked between 2020 and 2021. The downward trend has been observed since the sharp drop in BTC price last year, with the share of Americans decreasing by 11% since mid-2022. During the same period, the share in the Asian region increased by 9.9%.

– Adam Back, the creator of the Hashcash algorithm and CEO of Blockstream, is considered one of the key figures in the field of modern cryptography and the crypto industry. In a recent conversation with Decrypt, this prominent scientist stated that the cryptocurrency market is "anti-fragile." Like water, it flows and, when faced with obstacles, finds alternative paths. Therefore, if any major crypto exchange operating in the United States stops serving its customers due to regulatory pressure, the industry will eventually find a way out. In the event of restrictions on bank transfers in the US, bitcoin traders would simply shift towards opening bank accounts in other jurisdictions in euros or Swiss francs and engage in trading using a different currency.

– Journalists from Bitcoin.com conducted a survey with six popular AI chatbots regarding the potential of Bitcoin becoming a global reserve currency. The experiment involved ChatGPT 3.5 and ChatGPT 4 from OpenAI, Bard from Google, Claude Instant and Claude 4 from Anthropic, as well as the creative mode of Bing AI.
ChatGPT 3.5 struggled to assess the potential of bitcoin and other digital assets, citing existing "issues and uncertainties." According to its response, the likelihood of achieving reserve currency status depends on "current events and the evolution of the crypto currency ecosystem." However, it noted that its information was based on data available until September 2021.
Bard emphasized the need for wider adoption of bitcoin by central banks and other financial institutions, as well as the improvement of price stability and advancements in blockchain technology. The bot stated, "If bitcoin can overcome these challenges, it could become a global reserve asset within the next decade. However, it is also possible that this may never happen or that it will take much longer to achieve this goal."
Claude Instant, pointing out "significant obstacles" for bitcoin in terms of stability and recognition, considered it unlikely for BTC to become a reserve currency in the next 5-10 years. As for the 10–15-year horizon, Claude 4 estimated the probability of such an event to be in the low to moderate range. ChatGPT 4 also stated that it would take "several years or even decades" for bitcoin to achieve reserve currency status and warned that it "cannot confidently predict the future."
Bing AI took a "creative" approach and listed a range of factors that will determine the future of bitcoin. These factors include widespread adoption of the asset, including by financial institutions, innovation and improvement of technology, scalability and user-friendliness, regulation and legal status management, taxation and compliance with regulatory requirements, and competition and interaction with other crypto assets and fiat currencies.
In summary, it can be said that all six Artificial Intelligences behaved like experienced politicians and did not provide any specific answers to the question posed.

– According to The Wall Street Journal, the actions of hackers associated with North Korea have caused $3 billion in damage to the crypto industry. Half of this amount was reportedly used to finance a program for the development of ballistic nuclear missiles. As per the statement by U.S. authorities, North Korea has formed a "shadow" army of thousands of IT specialists around the world for these purposes. Cybersecurity experts believe that the "arms race" with North Korean hackers has only just begun.

– Peter Brandt, known as the "Mysterious Market Wizard," has been successful in accurately predicting the crypto winter of 2018 and many other market movements in the digital asset space. Now, this legendary trader and analyst has virtually "buried" all coins except bitcoin. "Bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency that will be able to finish this marathon. All others, including Ethereum, are counterfeits or scams," wrote Brandt.
Many members of the crypto community were puzzled by the fact that a respected analyst placed the second-largest cryptocurrency, ethereum, in the same category as fraudulent projects. In response, Brandt stated, "Silver to BTC's gold is ETH. ETH will likely survive, but the real legacy is BTC."

– Vitalik Buterin, the founder of ethereum, believes that the success of his blockchain depends on three main "transitions" that need to happen almost simultaneously. According to him, the leading altcoin is "failing" without sufficient scaling infrastructure that would make transactions on the network cheaper.
Another factor is related to the transition to smart contract wallets, which has been challenging in terms of user interaction. Moreover, these wallets will need to protect data to fully align with the concept of zero-knowledge (ZK) privacy. The last factor for ethereum's success that Buterin mentioned is privacy. In his opinion, significant improvements in identification systems and the implementation of hidden addresses are necessary.
"Achieving scalability, wallet security, and user privacy is crucial for the future of ethereum. It's not just about technical feasibility but also about practical accessibility for ordinary users," concluded the network's founder.

– Benjamin Cowen, the founder of Into The Cryptoverse, has noted that liquidity in the crypto market has dried up for quite some time, and many people have been blaming the SEC for what is happening. Most of them believe it is the end for the entire industry. According to Cowen, altcoins will face retribution, while Bitcoin dominance will continue to grow.
A similar sentiment was expressed by renowned trader Gareth Soloway, who compared the crypto market to the dot-com bubble. He stated that the collapse that occurred in the early 2000s would repeat itself in this industry. Soloway asserted that the "system needs to be cleansed of garbage" in order to thrive. According to him, 95% of all tokens "will strive toward zero."

– ARK Invest CEO Cathy Wood has doubled down on her bitcoin forecast, stating that the leading cryptocurrency will reach seven-figure values. In an interview with Bloomberg, she reaffirmed her confidence that the $1 million target for BTC will be achieved.
According to Wood, the current global economic environment increases her trust in the flagship crypto asset. "The more uncertainty and volatility in the global economy, the more our confidence grows in Bitcoin, which has been and remains a hedge against inflation," she stated. The head of ARK Invest believes that the greater risk lies not in inflation but in deflation, which she sees looming over the world. In this case, the primary cryptocurrency would act as an antidote against the crisis in the traditional financial system.

– Prominent investor and founder of venture firm Eight, Michael Van De Poppe, has analyzed the market capitalization chart of the crypto market and arrived at discouraging conclusions. According to the analyst, the current situation is not what one would want to see. He noted that a breakthrough below the support of the 200-week moving average (SMA) indicates a continuation of the downward trend.


Notice: These materials are not investment recommendations or guidelines for working in financial markets and are intended for informational purposes only. Trading in financial markets is risky and can result in a complete loss of deposited funds.

#eurusd #gbpusd #usdjpy #btcusd #ethusd #ltcusd #xrpusd #forex #forex_example #signals #forex #cryptocurrencies #bitcoin #stock_market