In a report released on 26 July, the International Monetary Fund claimed that the Bitcoin [BTC] bear market has no bearing on the stability of the world’s financial system.
The IMF report “World Economic Outlook Update: Gloomy and More Uncertain” also noted that the cryptocurrency market has seen a “dramatic” sell-off. However, the much talked about sell-off hasn’t harmed the financial system.
This relative calm exists despite recent failures, such as those of the Three Arrows Capital fund and the TerraUSD stablecoin. However, the aforementioned failure did cause some regulators to want to take more control over the developing market.
After a tentative recovery in 2021, the economic outlook has turned gloomy and uncertain, with the probability of a global recession. The latest #WEO explains the reason behind the downgrade to our growth projections. https://t.co/ldMsaieJUU pic.twitter.com/PbpvScahsN
— IMF (@IMFNews) July 26, 2022
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At press time, Bitcoin was trading at $21,285.80. The largest cryptocurrency, by market capitalization, stood at a low of its 70% record high. However, the state of almost all other cryptocurrencies was also on a decline. Well, the 2022 sell-off has affected all tokens alike.
Bitcoin and digital currencies are deemed risky
Investors are moving away from “risky” assets as a result of the uncertainty caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supply chain problems. In this context, IMF stated,
“Crypto assets have experienced a dramatic sell-off that has led to large losses in crypto investment vehicles and caused the failure of algorithmic stablecoins and crypto hedge funds, but spillovers to the broader financial system have been limited so far,”
The body’s remark about an “algorithmic stablecoin” alluded to the collapse of Terra’s blockchain. Terra had a good reputation among cryptocurrency speculators before May. However, when the stablecoin UST lost its peg to the dollar, billions of dollars of investment disappeared. This led to feelings of distrust in the market.
The need for regulations
Upon considering the happenings of the year 2o22, institutions after institutions have come out against stablecoins. In fact, some organizations have stated that they require stronger regulations.
International standard-setters are also attempting to define precisely how banks should begin investing in the cryptocurrency marketplaces.
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A ceiling on Bitcoin holdings has been suggested by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, along with a significant capital requirement that would restrict banks’ capacity to make loans based on cryptocurrency reserves.
Aashna is a news editor with AMBCrypto and is particularly interested in the how and what of blockchain technology, along with its vast applications. A flair for the language and her inquisitive nature are factors that spike her interest in the cryptocurrency space.
Bitcoin was trading lower to start the week, after the token briefly rose above $25,000 during Sunday’s session. As of writing, the global cryptocurrency market cap is currently trading 2.85% lower. Ethereum also dropped lower on Monday, with prices moving away from a recent high above $2,000.
Bitcoin
After a brief stint above $25,000 over the weekend, bitcoin (BTC) was trading in the red to start the new week.
On Sunday, BTC/USD hit an intraday high of $25,135.59, however the world’s largest token slipped to a bottom of $23,960.03 today.
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Sunday’s high was the most bitcoin has traded at since June 14, when prices of the token were over $26,700.
BTC/USD – Daily Chart
Looking at the chart, today’s decline in price comes after a resistance level of $24,800 was hit over the weekend, with bulls unable to sustain the uptrend required to push prices higher.
In addition to this, the 14-day relative strength index (RSI) is tracking at 56.44, which comes after failing to break out of a ceiling of 61.80.
This continues to be the main obstacle in the way of BTC rising back above $25,000 for a longer period of time.
Ethereum
In addition to BTC falling below $25,000, ethereum (ETH) also slipped to start the week, as the token dropped below $2,000.
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Over the weekend, prices of the world’s second-largest token by market capitalization moved above $2,000 for the first time since May.
However, on Monday, ETH/USD dropped to a low of $1,887.82, which was less than a day after trading at a high of $2,007.21.
ETH/USD – Daily Chart
This bearish turn in ethereum also comes as a result of the RSI being overbought, as it climbed above 71, which was its highest point since April 4.
As of writing, the index is tracking at 62, which comes as bearish sentiment swept through markets to start the week.
Prices will now be tested, with the index now close to a floor of 61, and should momentum move below this point, then we could see further declines.
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Can ethereum climb back above $2,000 this week? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Eliman Dambell
Eliman brings a eclectic point of view to market analysis, having worked as a brokerage director, retail trading educator, and market commentator in Crypto, Stocks and FX.
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Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.
The United States’ newest release on its inflation rate for July has created a celebration reason for many, especially the crypto sector. According to the Department of Labor publication, the July customer price index (CPI) report dipped to 8.5%. This was against its last year’s value of 9.1%.
With the report’s release, many people have expressed their recommendations for the Biden Administration and their shock. Some confessed that they have expected to see a spike in inflation due to some of the prevailing factors at the moment. They mentioned that the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and price increase in goods were expected to play a role.
US President Joe Biden has reacted to the great news of the CPI report. Commenting from the White House, he maintained that the news shows that the economy ran with zero percent inflation for July.
President Biden further mentioned that their approach to controlling inflation yields positive results. Hence, he encouraged Congress to pass the inflation Reduction Act. This will help to build an economy that would reward hard work.
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In the past six months, the US reported a negative GDP value for the two quarters of the year. Inflation also rose within the period, as indicated by the high-priced economy.
The report pointed out the monthly energy cost reduction that hit 4.6%. The value contradicts that of 2021, which gave a climbing curve to be at 32.9%. On the part of food expenses, there is a continuous uptrend.
The report recorded an 11% increase for July and a 10.9% rise on a year-over-year basis. Pundits reported that this value stands as the highest surge since May 1979.
Cryptocurrency market trends downwards | Source: Crypto Total Market Cap on TradingView.com
Gasoline prices dipped by 7.7% monthly to give drivers a little aid. However, it remained higher than the value for 2021 by 44%.
Crypto Market Followed An Uptrend
In a new development, the crypto market is making positive progress in price and value. However, the crypto space has been in shamble due to the impact of the crypto winter and other combining factors.
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In addition, the geopolitical climate and macro influences had been quite unfavorable. As a result, bitcoin and most major crypto assets experienced drastic price drops over the first half of 2022.
While expecting the CPI July report, many cryptocurrencies dropped on August 9. On its part, BTC plummeted by 4% to trade at $23,100. This sudden downward move was after it hit the $24,000 level as of Monday. For Ethereum, the drop went below 5%.
But the market prices are making a bounce with most assets moving uptrend. For example, while Bitcoin has climbed above $24,200, Ethereum is increasing slightly beneath $1,900 at the time of writing.
Featured image from Phemex, Chart from TradingView.com
Vaculug, a British company that brands itself as Europe’s largest independent tire retreader, will now accept cryptocurrencies for its products and services. Its management says the business must move with the times and offer customers more options than pounds and pence.
Vaculug to Take Major Coins, Offer Contracts in Cryptocurrency
U.K.-based tire retreading firm Vaculug has announced it will accept two leading cryptocurrencies, bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) as a means of payment for tires and related services. The company claims it’s the first in the industry to do that.
In a press release, Vaculug also revealed it intends to sign fixed price contracts in ‘crypto per kilometer’ and ‘crypto per vehicle’ formats, if customers would like to fix or link them to the prices of the two supported cryptocurrencies.
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Blockchain is not the future but the now, says Vaculug’s IT manager Jason Humphries. “We believe that all companies will have to accept cryptocurrencies in the near future and we are proud to be the first retreader to do so,” he commented.
Humphries thinks the company, which he describes as customer-centric, must move with the times and offer clients “more options than just pounds and pence.” He also insists that crypto payments will lower transaction costs for both sides while providing more value to the buyer.
“We are proud to have partnered with Vaculug to develop the modules required for their industry leading VMS management system to be able to receive secure payments through the blockchain,” said Sam Dunross, the CEO of Dunross and Chan Ltd. which will process the crypto transactions. He added that its platform has been developed with cybersecurity firms from Israel to ensure it’s secure.
Despite the latest crypto market downturn, the number of businesses introducing bitcoin payments has continued to grow. For example, Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer announced earlier this year that it accepts a dozen coins in the U.S. through an integration with Bitpay. And a survey conducted by financial services firm Deloitte and payment processor Paypal showed that 85% of merchants consider enabling this payment method a high priority.
Do you expect increased adoption of crypto payments after this month’s relatively positive developments in the markets of major coins like bitcoin and ether? Tell us in the comments section.
Lubomir Tassev
Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.