Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have experienced a five-day losing streak, recording approximately $1.17 billion in outflows, while crypto analyst Anthony Pompliano suggests that Bitcoin’s spot price may now be oversold. This period marks the longest continuous outflow for US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs in over four months, prompting discussions about the asset’s current valuation and future trajectory.
ETF Outflows Mark Longest Streak in Months
US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs have endured their most extended run of outflows since a seven-day period in April, when Bitcoin was trading near $79,625. The recent $1.17 billion in outflows over the past five trading days represents a significant shift in investor sentiment, according to data from Farside and CoinMarketCap.
Pompliano Sees Bitcoin as “Oversold”
Despite the recent outflows, Anthony Pompliano stated on CNBC on Thursday that Bitcoin is likely undervalued. At the time of his remarks, Bitcoin was trading around $112,870, leading him to conclude that the asset is “pretty oversold.”
Pompliano highlighted that Bitcoin’s current oversold signals, combined with the approach of September and October in the year following the April 2024 halving, could indicate a readiness for price appreciation. He suggested that increased investor activity in September, as people return from August breaks, could contribute to this momentum.
Market Performance and Historical Trends
Just over a week prior to these developments, Bitcoin had reached new all-time highs of $124,128 on August 14. Historically, the third quarter has been Bitcoin’s weakest, averaging a 6.02% return since 2013, while the fourth quarter has been its strongest, with an average gain of 85.42%, according to CoinGlass.
Pompliano noted that investor belief in these historical patterns can influence market behavior, potentially encouraging buying as the end of Q3 and the beginning of Q4 approach. This anticipatory action, he argues, can contribute to a self-fulfilling prophecy of price increases.
Future Outlook and Price Predictions
While Pompliano anticipates a pickup in Bitcoin’s price toward the end of the year, he expressed skepticism about it reaching $1 million in the current market cycle, though he believes it may be possible in the future. He also pointed to external factors that could boost demand for Bitcoin.
These factors include speculation surrounding the highly anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cut on September 17. Additionally, treasury firms raising more funds specifically to acquire Bitcoin could further increase demand for the cryptocurrency, according to Pompliano.
In summary, spot Bitcoin ETFs have experienced a notable period of outflows, marking the longest such streak in months. However, Anthony Pompliano maintains an optimistic outlook, viewing Bitcoin as oversold and poised for potential gains driven by seasonal trends, post-halving dynamics, and other market catalysts, even as he tempers expectations for a $1 million price target in the immediate cycle.