Was Boring Bakkt Launch Institutional Investors Waiting To Buy the Dip in Bitcoin?

Tony "The Bull" Severino

1 year ago

3 mins read

bakkt bitcoin crypto institutional investors

Reason to trust

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Created by industry experts and meticulously reviewed

The highest standards in reporting and publishing

How Our News is Made

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Ad discliamer

Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio.

After a long wait and endless hype, the Bakkt Bitcoin trading platform went live on September 23, 2019.

However, it launched to much disappointment and abysmal trading activity. But yesterday’s massive drop in Bitcoin price, appears to have sparked a surge of trading volume on the budding platform, suggesting that institutional investors were simply waiting to buy the dip.

Smart Money Was Waiting to Buy Bitcoin At Lower Prices, Trading Volume Reflects

Bakkt is a Bitcoin futures trading platform which offers physically-settled Bitcoin contracts to institutional investors, created by the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, ICE.

From the day the platform was first announced, the crypto community saw it as the first opportunity for institutional investors to gain exposure directly to actual Bitcoin on a trusted platform, which could have a dramatic effect on the supply and demand of the already scarce crypto asset.

Some went as far as suggesting that Bakkt would be the catalyst to spark a new bull market. But when the launch arrived, trading volumes were practically non-existent compared to current crypto platforms and exchanges, and the bullish sentiment surrounding the launch quickly turned bearish.

The very next day, Bitcoin dropped $2,000 over 48 hours, to under $8,000. Bitcoin traded in that range for an entire month, and just yesterday broke down to $7,400 where the crypto asset is currently trying to find support.

Bakkt #Bitcoin volume increasing x5 during Yesterday's drop 🧐 pic.twitter.com/gpXlMwWmDW

— Crypto Rand (@crypto_rand) October 24, 2019

With yesterday’s drop, Bakkt trading volume surged to the highest one-day total since the platform’s inception. Before the drop, the platform averaged under $1 million in trading volume per day, with a peak of just over $2 million in a single day. Yesterday’s volume, reached nearly $5 million in Bitcoin traded, 5 times the regular trading volume on the budding platform for institutional investors.

The surge in interest suggests that institutional investors may have an interest in Bitcoin after all, but only at prices lower than what the asset was trading at during launch. Institutional investors are often dubbed “smart money,” and for good reason. These high-wealth investors use a variety of strategies, trading indicators and more – the best the world has to offer – and it would be highly unlikely that this subset of investors would simply start buying up Bitcoin without any sort of plan, just because the platform went live.

Related Reading | Bitcoin Crashes to $7,400 as Crypto Markets Falter

With Bitcoin now falling, prices are becoming increasingly attractive to investors of all types, and it is already being reflected with an uptick in Bakkt’s trading volume. Elsewhere in the market, trading volume has reached yearly lows, suggesting that there’s a distinct lack of interest in the asset class. However, the further Bitcoin drops, investors won’t be able to resist buying cheap Bitcoin, before the halving occurs and the asset reaches the astronomical prices of $100,000 or higher that most prediction models are targeting.

Tony "The Bull" Severino

Tony "The Bull" Severino, CMT, is a distinguished figure in the cryptocurrency analysis sector, renowned for his in-depth technical expertise and innovative approach to market trends. As the Head of Research at NewsBTC, Tony leads a team dedicated to providing cutting-edge insights and forecasts, helping both novice and experienced traders navigate the complexities of the crypto market.
A seasoned Chartered Market Technician, Tony's prowess in identifying and capitalizing on market patterns is unmatched. His academic and professional journey in market analysis has firmly established him as a leading authority in technical trading strategies. Tony’s approach is heavily influenced by the principles of Elliott Wave Theory, a method known for its rigorous assessment of investor psychology and price movements.

Beyond his role at NewsBTC, Tony is the visionary founder of CoinChartist.io, an educational platform aimed at demystifying the nuances of cryptocurrency trading. CoinChartist.io serves as a valuable resource for traders seeking to enhance their technical analysis skills. The platform offers a range of learning tools and resources designed to empower traders with the knowledge to make informed trading decisions.

In addition to his educational initiatives, Tony is a prolific author and a dominant voice in the crypto community. He writes the CoinChartist VIP newsletter, a weekly dispatch that has become a staple among crypto enthusiasts, revered for its insightful analysis and actionable trading advice. This newsletter has consistently ranked as a best-seller on SubStack, boasting thousands of subscribers who rely on Tony’s expertise to guide their trading strategies.

Tony is also celebrated for his literary contributions to the field. He is the author of the highest-rated Crypto Trading Journal on Amazon.com, a testament to his ability to communicate complex trading concepts in an accessible manner. This journal is widely regarded as an essential tool for traders aiming to track their progress and refine their strategies.

Before his ascent in the financial analysis world, Tony honed his skills in journalism. His background in this field has endowed him with a unique ability to present intricate market dynamics in a clear and compelling manner, making his insights highly sought after by a broad audience that ranges from casual readers to professional traders.
His professional affiliations underscore his commitment to excellence and continuous learning. As a partner of Elliott Wave International and TradingView, Tony collaborates with other leading experts to enhance his knowledge and skills. His active membership in the CMT Association further aligns him with the highest standards of industry practices and ethics.

Tony’s nickname, "The Bull," aptly reflects his aggressive and optimistic outlook on the cryptocurrency markets. His forecasts often anticipate significant upturns, earning him a reputation for bullish predictions that have frequently led to lucrative outcomes for those who follow his advice.

In summary, Tony "The Bull" Severino, CMT, is more than just a technical analyst; he is a mentor, educator, and innovator whose influence in the cryptocurrency space continues to grow. His dedication to advancing the understanding of market forces and his commitment to providing high-quality, reliable analysis make him a pivotal figure in the world of cryptocurrency trading.