Ethereum, Altcoins Extend Losses Against Bitcoin as BTC Tests USD 34K Zone

Linas Kmieliauskas
Last updated: | 2 min read
Source: iStock/MicroStockHub

 


On Saturday, the crypto market dropped further, with bitcoin (BTC) reaching price levels last seen in July 2021, while ethereum (ETH) extended its losses against BTC.

On Saturday, the crypto market dropped further, with bitcoin (BTC) reaching price levels last seen in July 2021, while ethereum (ETH) extended its losses against BTC.

At 10:15 UTC, BTC trades at around USD 34,363 and down 13% in a day and 30% in a month, trimming its annual gains to less than 11%. Meanwhile, ETH is down 19%, trading at USD 2,332. The price is also down 42% in a month, but is still up 108% in a year.

Other coins from the top 10 club are down 19%-30% in a day. Liquidations in the crypto derivatives market surpassed USD 1bn as more than 351,680 trading positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours, per Coinglass data.

As reported, the market dropped following a selloff led by technology stocks in the US this week.

“Bitcoin’s continued selloff is driving speculators out the market. However, with leverage quick to build up around this asset, the market could be setting itself up for a short squeeze and relief rally,” Ben Caselin, Head of Research and Strategy at crypto exchange AAX, told Cryptonews.com on Friday.

He added that the selloff is likely “not too concerning” for long-term holders, although it could turn away some newcomers to the space. In particular, this is the case for “those who are trading meme coins and other hype-based tokens,” the analyst said.

While there have been much larger percentage drawdowns for both bitcoin and the aggregate market, this marks the second-largest ever decline in dollar terms for both, Bloomberg reported, citing Bespoke Investment Group. “It gives an idea of the scale of value destruction that percentage declines can mask,” per the analysts at the group.

“Bitcoin is being battered by a wave of risk-off sentiment. For further cues, keep an eye on traditional markets. Fear and unease among investors is palpable,” Antoni Trenchev, Nexo Co-founder and Managing Partner, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. 
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Learn more: 
Two Main Macro Scenarios in Play for Bitcoin & Crypto in 2022 – CryptoCompare
Bitcoin’s & Ethereum’s Near-Term Moves Expected to Signal Further Direction

Bitcoin, Ethereum Could Benefit If Stocks Drop After Fed Tightening – Strategist
–  USD 100K per Bitcoin ‘Hopium’ Now Moved to Mid-2022

How Global Economy Might Affect Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Crypto in 2022
Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Predictions for 2022
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(Updated at 09:49 UTC with reactions. Updated at 10:18 UTC with the latest market data.)