Dynamics of the present cryptocurrency market have been shifting following the Bitcoin ETF launch, which turned into a ‘sell-the-news’ episode. Attention moves to risk appetite for tokens outside the major cryptocurrencies, with early indications perhaps showing potential outperformance by Ethereum. Glassnode, an analytics firm, in a tweet update, pointed to interesting price action divergences of altcoins with respect to the major cryptocurrencies post the FTX collapse.
Notably, BTC’s dominance jumped from 38.9% to 49.8%, portraying investor preference for Bitcoin amidst market uncertainties. Concurrently, ETH’s share in the market dipped to 18.2% from 18.9% , signaling a relative decrease in investor interest compared to BTC. This minor shift indicates Ethereum’s resilience, albeit slightly impacted by the market’s upheaval. However, the more dramatic change is seen in stablecoins and altcoins.
Stablecoins, previously known for their stability, witnessed a significant drop in dominance from 13.9% to 7.8%. Altcoins also followed suit, decreasing from 28.3% to 24.2%. These trends point towards a flight from perceived riskier assets to more established cryptocurrencies.
The Glassnode analysis extends beyond market cap dominance. It delves into the relationship between Bitcoin and Ethereum in terms of their funding rates in the futures market. A key observation is the persistent higher funding rate for Ethereum compared to Bitcoin. This has been the case for over 97 days, indicating a bullish sentiment towards Ethereum.
Moreover, the analysis highlights the correlation between market events and spikes in funding rates. This suggests traders’ sensitivity to market volatility, reflecting in their investment choices. Significantly, the BTC’s value at $39,924.77, shows a 0.15% uptick over the last day. Meanwhile, Ethereum trades at $2,226.19, a 5.04% decline over the same timeframe.
Besides market cap dominance and funding rates, the analysis points to a nuanced understanding of trader behavior. A consistent preference for Ethereum in the futures market might indicate expectations of higher returns compared to Bitcoin. Additionally, the fluctuations in funding rates and market dominance underscore the dynamic and speculative nature of the cryptocurrency market.
The post-FTX collapse period marked a pivotal moment in cryptocurrency dynamics. Investors gravitated towards Bitcoin, reaffirming its status as a safer asset amidst uncertainty. Ethereum maintains its ground, albeit with slight fluctuations. The overall market sentiment appears cautious, with a clear shift towards more established cryptocurrencies.
