Bitcoin Outflow From Exchanges Suggests Confidence Crypto Rout Is Over

glassnode-studio_bitcoin-net-transfer-volume-from-to-exchanges-all-exchanges-7-d-moving-average
27 May 2021

With blockchain data showing bearish market sentiment is weakening, oversold bitcoin may succeed in establishing a foothold above $40,000. The cryptocurrency crossed above the psychological hurdle soon before press time, having put in lows near $37,000 during the Asian hours.

  • The seven-day average of net bitcoin inflows to exchanges turned negative for the first time since April 22, data provided by Glassnode show.
  • That means coins are leaving exchanges after a gap of four weeks, a sign of investors are starting to take direct custody of their holdings, possibly anticipating a price increase.
  • The fewer coins available for sale on exchanges, the better the chance of the market going up.
  • Investors typically transfer coins to exchanges when they want to sell their holdings, so consistent net inflows represent a bearish mood, with outflows signaling bullish sentiment.
Bitcoin exchange flows
Source: Glassnode
  • The seven-day average of net flows turned positive on April 22, and rose to a 14-month high of 10,628 BTC on May 17, a sign some holders may have been panicking.
  • The bitcoin sell-off gathered pace, with prices dropping to lows near $30,000 on May 17. The decline marked a slump of more than 50% from the record-high $64,801 reached on April 1.
  • The panic looks to have subsided this week, with the balance held on exchanges dropping by 7,597 BTC to 2.53 million.
  • Further outflows from exchanges may be needed to restore battered market confidence and put the cryptocurrency back on a bullish path.
  • Consistent outflows accompanied bitcoin's 13-month surge from $5,000 to over $60,000, with the balance held in exchange wallets falling by more than 615,000 BTC from March 2020 to April 2021.

Also read: Fairlead’s Stockton Plans to Add Bitcoin Exposure Only After Key Indicator Turns Higher

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