Bloomberg’s senior commodity strategist, Mike McGlone, asserts that Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market may be on the verge of a significant shift, as rising Bitcoin futures open interest and narrowing fund price disparities may signal an unstoppable maturation process.
In a recent tweet, McGlone highlighted the potential impact of the ongoing litigation surrounding Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), which could mark a milestone for BTC and crypto maturity.
The GBTC, which provides investors with exposure to Bitcoin through a trust, has historically traded at a significant premium to the underlying asset. However, this premium has dwindled over the years, and the trust is now trading at a discount of around 36% to the price of BTC.
However, this downward trajectory may be coming to an end as the trust gains the potential to convert to an ETF. This move could be a game-changer for the cryptocurrency market, as it would allow institutional investors to gain exposure to BTC more easily and efficiently.
Following an oral argument on March 7th, in which Grayscale argued against the SEC’s rejection of its ETF application, Bloomberg now believes that Grayscale is favored to win a ruling vacating the rejection order.
This news could be a significant boost for BTC and the broader cryptocurrency market, which has seen increased institutional interest in recent years. Rising futures open interest and narrowing fund price disparities suggest that the crypto market is becoming more mature and sophisticated, with investors looking beyond short-term volatility and focusing on long-term potential.
Nevertheless, the ongoing litigation surrounding the GBTC could mark a significant milestone for BTC and crypto maturity. As institutional investors continue to enter the market and regulatory clarity improves, the future of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies looks bright.
Bitcoin Price Review
Bitcoin’s price has dropped below $20,000 for the first time since mid-January due to bearish news. Despite the setback, BTC has regained some ground, hovering around $20,040. As of now, it is down 8.01% in the past 24 hours and trading at $19,958.16.
Bitcoin had reached a record high of over $69,000 in November 2021 but experienced a significant drop in 2022 to start 2023 at around $16,600. However, a powerful rally in mid-February pushed BTC up more than 50% for the year, peaking at $25,000.
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