This page is for information purposes only. Certain services and features may not be available in your jurisdiction.

Institutional Top of Mind by 10x Research

Institutional Research 1200x628 (1)

In this inaugural edition of our Institutional Top of Mind with 10x Research, we delve into the critical role of flows and liquidity in the crypto market, highlighting recent trends in stablecoin volumes and Bitcoin futures activity.

TL;DR

  • Flows and liquidity are critical in the crypto market. Increased trading activity boosts liquidity and key indicators like stablecoin turnover and Bitcoin futures activity.

  • Stablecoin volumes surged to $140 billion by mid-March 2024 but now average $40 billion daily, indicating lower trading activity. It's important to note that stablecoin minting, a significant factor that influences crypto prices, peaked before dropping post-Bitcoin halving.

  • Bitcoin demand fluctuated due to ETF-related events and inflation concerns, with notable declines and rebounds linked to perpetual futures and ETF approval expectations. Monitoring these flow indicators helps predict market momentum, with current consolidation due to slowed flows and liquidity.

Flows and liquidity are crucial in the crypto world. Higher trading activity leads to increased liquidity across various volume and turnover indicators. Key metrics like daily stablecoin turnover and activity in Bitcoin spot and perpetual futures help gauge the market's health. During the "DeFi Summer," Total Value Locked (TVL) was significant but became less pivotal as DeFi's role diminished among crypto traders.

Despite a brief lull during Christmas and early January, stablecoin volumes have risen, particularly in anticipation of the Bitcoin Spot ETF launch. Daily stablecoin volumes surged from $20 billion to $140 billion by mid-March 2024. These volumes have settled at $40 billion daily, indicating muted trading activity. Rising stablecoin activity typically correlates with higher crypto prices and vice versa. Stablecoin minting, a key fiat onramp into crypto, also influences prices; increased minting activity often signals rising crypto prices.

Exhibit 1: Bitcoin (grey, LHS) vs. Bitcoin Turnover Volumes (white, RHS, $ billions)

image (2)

Crypto market trading volumes surged from $40 billion in early January 2024 to $160 billion, peaking amid unexpected inflation increases. Since then, volumes have declined to a seven-day average of $50 billion, indicating muted market sentiment.

From October 2023 to mid-March 2024, 30-day rolling stablecoin minting increased from $1 billion to $10.5 billion but dropped to near zero after the Bitcoin halving on April 20, indicating a quieter trading environment. In January, Bitcoin demand saw a "sell-the-news" phase when Grayscale GBTC outflows overwhelmed buy orders from other ETF issuers. By early March 2024, the ETF accumulated $12 billion but paused mid-month due to rising inflation concerns. Flows rose again in mid-May as inflation fears eased, yet ETF flows have remained subdued.

Unlike perpetual futures flows, which rose with Bitcoin ETFs and stablecoin minting until mid-March, the unwinding of open interest positions led to Bitcoin's early May decline. Anticipation of Ethereum Spot ETF approval by the SEC on May 20 increased perpetual futures open interest, pushing Bitcoin back near all-time highs in June. However, uncertainty from Ethereum ETF issuers and the SEC caused Ether prices and open interest to decline in June, impacting our flow indicator and, subsequently, Bitcoin prices.

Exhibit 2: Bitcoin (grey, LHS) vs. Money Flow Indicator (white, RHS, $ billions)

1720448296690

Monitoring flows and liquidity offers straightforward insights into the crypto market. Momentum driven by these factors is a crucial driver of both upward and downward crypto prices. Notably, stablecoin minting halted around the Bitcoin halving date. From January 1 to April 20, Bitcoin miners generated approximately $6.5 billion, while stablecoin growth increased by $25 billion. Early-year demand for fiat-to-crypto conversion was strong, but traders opted to wait post-halving before deploying more fiat into crypto.

Bitcoin's recent consolidation can be attributed to slowed flows and liquidity. Keeping an eye on these variables can give investors an edge in identifying positive momentum shifts. Not all flow indicators need to turn positive, but the robust ones must do so to lift Bitcoin prices.

In conclusion, flows and liquidity are fundamental to understanding the crypto market's dynamics. Increased trading activity boosts liquidity, with key indicators like stablecoin turnover and Bitcoin futures activity serving as vital gauges of market health. Despite fluctuations in trading volumes, particularly around events such as the Bitcoin Spot ETF launch and the Bitcoin halving, the overall trends in stablecoin volumes and minting activities provide crucial insights.

These metrics highlight the relationship between fiat onramps and crypto prices, emphasizing the importance of stablecoin activity. Monitoring these variables, especially during significant market events, offers investors valuable foresight into potential price movements. Although the market has seen periods of slowed flows and liquidity, identifying robust flow indicators can provide a strategic advantage in anticipating positive momentum shifts and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

OKX conversation on Telegram

For the latest insights, updates, and announcements beyond what's included in our bi-weekly newsletter, head over to our OKX Institutional Telegram channel.

OKX Institutional TG Channel QR code

As a private, members-only group, our Telegram channel allows for real-time dialogue where we can discuss and share market coloring, product roadmaps, and more with our valued institutional clients and partners.

Disclaimer: This publication is issued in 10x Labs Limited (“10x Research”). The information provided in the publications are meant purely for informational purposes and should not be relied upon as financial advice. None of the information contained here constitutes an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to purchase or sell any securities, financial instruments or strategies, or to make any investments. Any opinions expressed are intended to be mere opinions and not investment advice, and nothing herein should be construed as financial, investment, legal or tax advice or advice of any sort. 10x Research does not provide individually tailored investment advice. You are advised to consult with your own professional advisers and to make your own independent decisions regarding any securities, financial instruments, strategies or investments. Any opinions are personal to the author and may be subject to change. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of 10x Research or its affiliates, officers or employees. This publication has been prepared based upon information, including market prices, data and other information, from sources believed to be reliable and we make no representation and assume no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this publication. This publication may contain data from third party sources and may contain inaccurate or out-of-date data. Investment in digital assets carries a high level of risk and may lead to a total loss of capital. To the extent applicable, 10x Research asserts legal ownership and copyright over this publication. This publication may not be used, redistributed or retransmitted, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of 10x Research. Any unauthorized use is prohibited. Receipt and review of this information constitutes your agreement not to use, redistribute or retransmit the contents and information contained in this publication without first obtaining express permission from an authorized officer of 10x Research. Copyright 2024 10x Labs Limited. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
This content is provided for informational purposes only and may cover products that are not available in your region. It is not intended to provide (i) investment advice or an investment recommendation; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold digital assets, or (iii) financial, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Digital asset holdings, including stablecoins and NFTs, involve a high degree of risk and can fluctuate greatly. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances. Information (including market data and statistical information, if any) appearing in this post is for general information purposes only. While all reasonable care has been taken in preparing this data and graphs, no responsibility or liability is accepted for any errors of fact or omission expressed herein. Both OKX Web3 Wallet and OKX NFT Marketplace are subject to separate terms of service at www.okx.com.
© 2024 OKX. This article may be reproduced or distributed in its entirety, or excerpts of 100 words or less of this article may be used, provided such use is non-commercial. Any reproduction or distribution of the entire article must also prominently state: “This article is © 2024 OKX and is used with permission.” Permitted excerpts must cite to the name of the article and include attribution, for example “Article Name, [author name if applicable], © 2024 OKX.” No derivative works or other uses of this article are permitted.
Expand
Related articles
View more
View more
Explore our institutional solutions.