Bitcoin drops to $41,000 amid ETF surge and increasing concerns about USD dominance

Bitcoin (BTC) has undergone a significant transformation, currently being valued at $41,068, reflecting a 1.70% decline on Monday. This shift coincides with noteworthy developments in the cryptocurrency landscape, particularly the remarkable expansion of Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), which have swiftly amassed $4 billion in assets under management (AUM) by acquiring an impressive 95,000 BTC within a mere six days.

This surge in ETF interest signals an increase in investor confidence and a departure from conventional investment strategies towards digital assets. Simultaneously, Morgan Stanley has sounded alarms regarding the enduring dominance of the US dollar, suggesting that the ascendancy of cryptocurrencies could significantly reshape the global currency landscape.

Contributing to the ongoing discourse, the CEO of Grayscale has expressed skepticism about the future of most approved spot Bitcoin ETFs, highlighting a challenging path ahead for these financial instruments. These factors collectively present a nuanced outlook for Bitcoin’s future, juxtaposing the surge in ETF interest against broader market and regulatory uncertainties.

Within just six days, Bitcoin ETFs, including Fidelity’s FBTC and BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), have aggregated 95,000 BTC, pushing their total AUM to nearly $4 billion. During the same timeframe, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) witnessed a substantial $2.8 billion reduction in AUM. This noteworthy growth in AUM was propelled by inflows exceeding $1.2 billion into the ETFs from Fidelity and BlackRock.

The escalating AUM and daily trading volumes of Bitcoin ETFs underscore a shift in investor preferences, signaling heightened interest and confidence in cryptocurrencies among institutional players. This trend holds the potential to support a sustained upward movement in Bitcoin’s price.

Morgan Stanley has raised a red flag about the potential of digital assets like Bitcoin to disrupt the dominance of the US dollar. The investment bank points to America’s growing twin deficits and shifting geopolitical landscapes, casting doubt on the dollar’s leading role in the global financial system.

The increasing interest in digital assets, including stablecoins, Bitcoin, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), could significantly reshape the currency landscape. The report also notes China’s efforts to promote the yuan in global trade and the European Union’s initiatives to strengthen the euro’s position.

Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein, in a recent address at the World Economic Forum event, voiced doubts about the long-term success of many spot Bitcoin ETFs. He emphasized Grayscale’s higher management fee of 1.5%, compared to competitors’ fees ranging from 0.2% to 0.4%, citing Grayscale’s decade-long track record and status as the largest Bitcoin fund.

Despite recent withdrawals from Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust, inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have exceeded $1.2 billion in the last five days. Sonnenshein anticipates that only a few major Bitcoin ETFs will endure in the long run, potentially influencing both market sentiment and Bitcoin’s price.

A close examination of the 4-hour chart reveals crucial price levels, with a pivotal point at $41,810. Immediate resistance is identified at $43,394, followed by higher barriers at $44,489 and $45,690. Conversely, support levels are established at $40,334, $39,414, and $38,351.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 36, suggesting emerging oversold conditions. The 50-Day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), situated at $42,245, now serves as a resistance level.

Presently, Bitcoin demonstrates a bearish bias, encountering substantial resistance at the $41,800 mark. Sustained trading below this level could potentially trigger further selling pressure. Based on these technical indicators, the short-term forecast for Bitcoin remains bearish unless it surpasses the $41,800 threshold.