Market Updates (11)

Foreword Over the past decade, Bitcoin has demonstrated remarkable innovation and resilience, even during times of challenging market conditions. It has introduced groundbreaking elements to the modern monetary system, internet technology, and financial sectors, thereby establishing itself as a prominent asset in the global mainstream.

Known for its volatility and unpredictability, the crypto market can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster ride even for veteran crypto traders. Amid the ups and downs, there's one factor that often impacts said volatility and often flies under the radar: the U.S. Federal Reserve (also known as the 'Fed') and its interest rate decisions. As much as crypto enthusiasts will say crypto is detached from the realm of traditional finance (TradFi), what happens in these government meetings can technically have a sizable impact on the price of your favorite cryptocurrencies.

Keep up with the top industry updates as we present bi-weekly market insights that are valuable to traders in the institutional space. In this week's edition, Kelvin Lam, CFA, Head of Institutional Research for OKX, delved into one of the recent trending topics in the financial market: Bitcoin reached a new all-time high. He analyzes the major distinctions between the all-time highs observed in 2020 and 2024, aiming to analyze the implications these differences hold for the future trajectory of Bitcoin and market dynamics.

Keep up with the top industry updates as we present bi-weekly market insights that are important to traders in the institutional space. In this week's edition, Kelvin Lam, CFA, Head of Institutional Research for OKX, explores the profound market impact resulting from the recent launches of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US. He analyzes the dynamic interplay between supply and demand and the consequential changes in market structure. Additionally, he highlights potential trading opportunities that institutional traders can seize following this significant market event.

Keep up with the top industry updates as we present bi-weekly market insights that are important to investors in the institutional space. In this week's edition, Kelvin Lam, CFA, Head of Institutional Research for OKX, shares his three predictions for the Institutional crypto market in 2024. Alongside unveiling these predictions, he'll also explain why these trends hold significant importance for institutions currently positioned in crypto space.

Are we heading into Altcoin season? Keep up with the top industry updates as we present bi-weekly market insights that are important to traders in the institutional space. In this week's edition, Kelvin Lam, CFA, Head of Institutional Research for OKX, looks at various market indicators and the overall market environment to assess the likelihood of an altcoin season on the horizon. Additionally, we explore key considerations that can guide participation in this potential altcoin rally.

OKX has partnered with Sun Zu Lab to bring you our first Exchange Liquidity Analysis report. This report focuses on OKX spot and perpetual futures liquidity, providing valuable insights to navigate the dynamic landscape of OKX trading.

After venturing into the crypto scene, it doesn’t take long to encounter a ‘whale’. But what are they exactly, how'd they get this title? In simple terms, whales are individuals who hold a significant amount of cryptocurrencies. As a result of their whale-sized holdings, these individuals or organizations can have significant influence over the prices of cryptocurrencies as they buy and sell assets. 

Cryptocurrency and its associated technologies are on the rise in Latin America (LATAM), driven by a variety of nation-specific social and economic factors. The region is rife with opportunities for the technology, fueled by inflationary pressure, the devaluation of local currencies, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset among many. Most significantly, we see undeniable real-world examples of how cryptocurrencies can bring about financial inclusion and rewrite the traditional financial system. Industry players have taken note of the same.

Crypto is busy causing positive disruption in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT). The region led the way for digital asset adoption between July 2021 and June 2022, according to data from Chainanalysis . The blockchain data platform's 2022 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report showed that users in the region received more than $566 billion in cryptocurrency value across the period — a 48% jump compared to the previous year. Although this figure dropped to an estimated $389.8 billion in on-chain value between July 2022 and June 2023, optimism remains high for crypto's continued emergence across the region.

Crypto is on the march in Europe, with Central, Northern, and Western Europe (CNWE) representing the second-largest market in 2023 behind North America, according to Chainanalysis . Meanwhile, Eastern Europe captured 8.9% of the total global crypto value received in the year to June 2023, with Ukraine sitting highest (fifth) among all European nations in Chainanalysis' 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index.