Bitcoin price hit $38,000 despite US financial regulator’s decision to delay two BTC ETF decisions


  • Bitcoin price hit $38,000 for the first time since May 2022, amid anticipation for approval of spot BTC ETF. 
  • US Securities and Exchange Commission extended the deadline for Hashdex and Grayscale’s spot Bitcoin ETF application.
  • BTC yielded 5% gains for holders over the past week, and analysts expect a green light for spot ETFs in January 2024.

Bitcoin price crossed the $38,000 level for the first time in nearly 17 months, on November 15. Bitcoin’s ongoing price rally is fueled by market participants’ anticipation of a spot BTC ETF approval by US financial regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The largest crypto asset by market capitalization continued its rally, undeterred by the delay in the approvals of Hashdex’s and Grayscale’s spot ETF applications. 

Also read: Solana is even faster and more cost-effective than Ether, says ARK Invest CEO

Daily Digest Market Movers: Bitcoin spot ETF applications delayed by US SEC, BTC price rally undeterred

  • Bitcoin price climbed to $38,016, crossing the $38,000 barrier for the first time in nearly a year and half, in the ongoing price rally. 
  • Two catalysts, namely, the anticipation of a BTC spot ETF approval by the US SEC and expectation of institutional demand for the asset, spurred gains in the largest cryptocurrency. 
  • The US SEC pushed the deadline on Hashdex and Grayscale’s applications to convert their Bitcoin futures ETF to spot. The deadline on these applications was November 17 and the regulator extended the window, according to recent filings. 
  • SEC’s decision to delay the applications had no significant impact on BTC price; the asset continued its uptrend undeterred.
  • Another Bitcoin ETF application, by Franklin Templeton, also faces the November 17 deadline.
  • The rest of the filings face January 2024 deadlines and analysts at Bloomberg expect the regulator to approve spot ETFs in the first week of the coming year. 
  • Bloomberg Intelligence expects a batch of spot BTC ETFs to be approved in January and notes that it would be easier for both institutional and retail traders to gain exposure to Bitcoin in 2024. 
  • An interesting metric that supports Bitcoin’s fresh gains is the inactive supply of the asset. Based on data from BTCDirect, 69% of BTC supply has not moved in a year. This reduces the volume of BTC in circulation and the selling pressure on the asset, supporting a bullish thesis for Bitcoin. 

Percent supply last active 1 year+

Percent supply last active 1 year+

Technical analysis: Bitcoin price eyes $43,000 target

Bitcoin price rallied past the $38,000, a key level for the asset, last seen in May 2022. Interestingly, in 2021,  BTC flipped the $36,127 resistance level into support and pushed higher towards the next resistance at $43,200. With Bitcoin price past $38,000, a successful retest of the psychological barrier is expected, before BTC price eyes the $43,000 target in the coming week.

BTCUSD

BTC/USD 1-week chart

A failed retest could see Bitcoin price drop to support $32,000 in the next few weeks. At the time of writing, BTC price is $37,407. The asset yielded 5.65% gains on the day.
 

Open Interest, funding rate FAQs

How does Open Interest affect cryptocurrency prices?

Higher Open Interest is associated with higher liquidity and new capital inflow to the market. This is considered the equivalent of increase in efficiency and the ongoing trend continues. When Open Interest decreases, it is considered a sign of liquidation in the market, investors are leaving and the overall demand for an asset is on a decline, fueling a bearish sentiment among investors.

Funding fees bridge the difference between spot prices and prices of futures contracts of an asset by increasing liquidation risks faced by traders. A consistently high and positive funding rate implies there is a bullish sentiment among market participants and there is an expectation of a price hike. A consistently negative funding rate for an asset implies a bearish sentiment, indicating that traders expect the cryptocurrency’s price to fall and a bearish trend reversal is likely to occur.

 


Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

Monero Price Forecast: XMR soars over 19% amid rising demand for privacy coins

Monero Price Forecast: XMR soars over 19% amid rising demand for privacy coins

Monero (XMR) price is extending its gains by 19% at the time of writing on Monday, following a 9.33% rally the previous week. On-chain metrics support this price surge, with XMR’s open interest reaching its highest level since December 20.

Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple: BTC and ETH stabilize while XRP shows strength 

Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple: BTC and ETH stabilize while XRP shows strength 

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are stabilizing at around $93,500 and $1,770 at the time of writing on Monday, following a rally of over 10% and 12% the previous week. Ripple price also rallied 8.3% and closed above its key resistance level last week, indicating an uptrend ahead.

Ethereum Price Forecast: ETH ETFs post first weekly inflows since February

Ethereum Price Forecast: ETH ETFs post first weekly inflows since February

Ethereum (ETH) recovered the $1,800 price level on Saturday after US spot Ether ETFs (exchange-traded funds) recorded their first weekly inflows since February.

Defi Development Corporation files to offer $1 billion in securities to boost its Solana holdings

Defi Development Corporation files to offer $1 billion in securities to boost its Solana holdings

Defi Development Corporation (formerly Janover) filed a registration statement with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, signaling its intent to offer and sell a wide range of securities, including common and preferred stock, debt instruments and warrants for the purchase of equity

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC consolidates after posting over 10% weekly surge 

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC consolidates after posting over 10% weekly surge 

Bitcoin (BTC) price is consolidating around $94,000 at the time of writing on Friday, holding onto the recent 10% increase seen earlier this week.

Read full analysis
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.

Read More

BTC

ETH

XRP