Bitcoin BTC breaches the 105k mark – Switzerland and US politicians meet following release of LIBRA

Bitcoin {BTC} breaches the 10.5k mark – Switzerland and U.S. politicians meet following release of LIBRA

After bears had brought BTC all the way down to $10,000 a trend reversal occurred. This had helped Bitcoin rally along with the majority of the altcoins. Once again, Bitcoin proved its worth over Gold [in spite of the latter facing much less volatility], which indicates that Peter Schiff along with the rest of the “Gold Barons” is wrong.

However, BTC has a long way to go, as the market capitalization is nowhere near that of the precious metal. Although, the latter has generally reacted to events transpiring around the world in a gradual manner.

The lawmakers hailing from the United States had conducted an interactive session with authorities in Switzerland. It seems that the Trump administration is still unsure with regards to the LIBRA project of Facebook.

Maxine Waters, a representative of America, expressed her dismay at a “privately controlled” global currency. Well, the Dollar is manipulated by powerful entities associated with numerous financial bodies in the U.S.A. So her point on the centralization of LIBRA is moot. Because banks have been responsible for economic dilemmas for ages.

While the mainstream community of crypto-enthusiasts is yet to be optimistic about the latest venture of Facebook, David Marcus of Calibra [previously PayPal] has said that LIBRA intends to abide by all regulations in place. Let’s hope that we don’t come across a “Cambridge Analytica data scandal” type of situation this time.

Bitcoin is the top-ranked digital currency in the market. The eleven-year-old king coin rose at a rate of 2.82% in the course of the past 24-hours. The trading volume recorded is $17.132 billion, while the supply has 17,897,337 BTC coins in play. At present, the total market cap of Bitcoin is $186.279 billion. As of this moment, BTC is priced at $10,408.22

 

BY ADITYA CHATTERJEE ON AUGUST 26, 2019

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

Would bullish divergence keep Bitcoin price above 10000?

Would bullish divergence keep Bitcoin price above $10000?

Another week comes to pass as Bitcoin price hovers at the ten thousand dollars ($10,000) mark and past twenty-four hours (24hrs) have been no different than the price action across the week. Bitcoin (BTC) price plunged down to the low point of nine thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight dollars ($9768.06) mark at one point while the highest point was recorded at the ten thousand four hundred dollars ($10400) mark. Whereas the weekly high is recorded at the ten thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine ($10929) dollars on the 20th of August but the price has not been near that point since. Bitcoin is trading at ten thousand one hundred and three dollars ($10103.25) at the time of writing.

 

Bitcoin price – Bearish divergence Cryptocurrency analyst and trading expert BitFink revealed that a bearish divergence can be seen on the Bitcoin cryptocurrency charts. The idea is simple and so far it has been keeping the BTC price afloat above the ten thousand dollars ($10,000) mark.

BitFink is of the view that short bearish divergences in the BTC price action are what keep the Bitcoin price above the psychological limit of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). However, as evident in the chart above, if the Bitcoin price action falls into a corrective action the price is ready to fall down to the nine-thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine dollars ($9759) mark.

Below that point is the twenty (20) day low standing at the nine thousand four hundred and seventy dollars ($9470) mark. On the other hand, twenty (20) day exponential moving average (EMA) stands at the ten thousand and thirty-three dollars ($10,033) mark. This is the point where the BTC price has been finding support over the weekend. The weekend is still young and the BTC price can sway in any direction. Let’s see where the dust settles as the weekend comes to an end

 

 

By Saad B. MurtazaAUG 25, 2019

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

Bitcoin BTC Price Testing Last Line Of Defense With Positive Bias

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Testing Last Line Of Defense With Positive Bias

Bitcoin price is showing positive signs and settled above $10,000 against the US Dollar.

The price is now trading near the key $10,400 resistance area, which is preventing gains.

Yesterday’s highlighted important bearish trend line is acting as a solid resistance near $10,420 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).

The price is likely setting up for the next key break either above $10,500 or below $10,250.

Bitcoin price is trading with a positive bias above $10,200 against the US Dollar. However, BTC must surge above $10,400 and $10,500 to move into an uptrend.
 

Bitcoin Price Analysis

In the past few sessions, there was a steady recovery in BTC above $10,000 against the US Dollar. The price even traded above the $10,200 and $10,250 resistance levels. Moreover, there was a close above the $10,200 level and the 100 hourly simple moving average. As a result, there was a decent recovery in many altcoins as well, including Ethereum, ripple, ETC, bitcoin cash and EOS.

Bitcoin price gained pace above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $10,975 swing high to $9,757 low. The recent wave was such that the price even spiked above the $10,400 level. Moreover, there was a break above the 50% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $10,975 swing high to $9,757 low. However, the bulls faced a strong resistance just below the $10,500 level.

Additionally, yesterday’s highlighted important bearish trend line is acting as a solid resistance near $10,420 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The pair is now consolidating below the trend line and the $10,500 resistance. Moreover, the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $10,975 swing high to $9,757 low is at $10,510.

Therefore, the price could rally if it breaks the trend line and the $10,500 resistance area. The next stop for the bulls could be near the $11,000 resistance area in the near term. On the other hand, an immediate key support is near the $10,250 level. If there is a downside break below the $10,250 support, the price could start a fresh decline in the coming sessions.
 

Bitcoin Price Analysis BTC Chart

Looking at the chart, bitcoin price is clearly setting up for the next key break either above $10,500 or below $10,250. There are high chances of a fresh bearish wave as long as the price is below the $10,500 pivot area.
 

Technical indicators:
 

Hourly MACD – The MACD is slowly losing momentum in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is currently above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $10,250 followed by $10,000.

Major Resistance Levels – $10,420, $10,500 and $10,680.

 

 

Aayush Jindal

1 min ago

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

Crypto Market And Bitcoin Approaching Resistance – ETC BCH EOS TRX Analysis

Crypto Market And Bitcoin Approaching Resistance – ETC, BCH, EOS, TRX Analysis

  • The total crypto market cap is currently correcting higher towards the $268.0-$270.0B resistance.

  • Bitcoin price is also approaching towards a major resistance near the $10,200 and $10,250 levels.

  • EOS price recovered more than 5% and it is now trading near the $3.650 resistance.

  • Ethereum Classic price rallied close to 20% and broke the $7.00 resistance area.

  • BCH price is back above $305, but it is facing many hurdles on the upside near $320.

  • Tron (TRX) price is up around 8% and is approaching the $0.0185 resistance area.

  • Bitcoin (BTC) and the crypto market cap is correcting losses. Ethereum classic (ETC), ICX, tron and IOTA are surging, while BNB, Ethereum, BCH, ripple, litecoin and EOS are facing hurdles.

Bitcoin Cash Price Analysis

After a downside break below the $300 support, BCH price tested the $290 level against the US Dollar. The BCH/USD pair found support and recently started an upside correction. The pair is now trading nicely above the $300 and $305 levels. However, there are many key resistances on the upside near the $315 and $320 levels.

On the downside, the $300 level might act as a short term support, below which the price is likely to resume its decline in the near term.

 

Ethereum Classic, EOS, Tron (TRX) Price Analysis

There was a sharp increase in Ethereum classic price in the past few sessions from the $5.00 support area. ETC price rallied close to 20% and it broke many important resistances near the $6.50 and $7.00 levels. If there is a downside correction, the same resistances near $7.00 and $6.50 may now act as supports.

Tron price is currently recovering after setting a new monthly low near $0.0165. TRX price is up more than 8% and it is now trading near the $0.0180 level. However, there are many important resistances on the upside near the $0.0185 and $0.0192 levels.

EOS price remained well bid above the $3.350 level and it recently started a decent recovery. The price gained around 5% and it is now trading near the $3.650 resistance. If there are more gains, the price could test the $3.800 resistance in the near term. On the downside, the main supports are $3.500 and $3.350.

Looking at the total cryptocurrency market cap 4-hours chart, there was an upside correction initiated from the $250.0B swing low. The market cap recovered above the $260.0B level, but there is a strong resistance waiting on the upside near the $268.0B and $270.0B levels. There is also a crucial bearish trend line forming near $268.0B on the same chart. Therefore, upsides are likely to remain capped in bitcoin, Ethereum, TRX, LTC, EOS, ripple, ADA, XLM, WTC, BCH, and IOTA in the near term.

 

Aayush Jindal

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

China Plans to Introduce New Crypto to Rival Bitcoin Say’s Analyst

China Plans to Introduce New Crypto to Rival Bitcoin, Say’s Analyst

An influential officer of the PBoC at the meeting of China finance 40 groups had declared China’s intention to introduce a sovereign crypto asset. The declaration of this proposed introduction is unexpected at this time due to the ongoing currency war and trade dispute with the U.S.

 

China’s Progressive Crypto Route

Mu Changchun, the deputy director in the payment and settlement division at the PBoC had declared during the meeting with bankers that the prototype for the unspecified project is ready to be adopted. This declaration was reported by the local news media of Shangai securities during the weekend. The deputy director further discussed the digital asset intricacies. He added that blockchain features are noticeable in its product but not developed around decentralized ledgers because the retailers and banks use high-bandwidth and speed in China. As it is, the use of a reserve model by the PBoC similar to Circles USDC or a digital fiat model is not certain.

As for the cryptocurrency, it is intended to function in two ways. The upper layer will be operated by PBoC and the lower level will be operated by the retail banks. Changchun had explained that the operational splitting into two segments is to make the project function positively in a complex and massive economy in China.

How this will function was not explained, however, the assumption is that the split structure will function similar to the present double segment structure like that of the present division among Central banks and banks. To further make clear, the PBoC releases the currency and manages high-level payments while the retail banks operate on the adoption and utilization of the cryptos.

As of now, the deputy director Changchun asserts that the crypto is best utilized for “smaller-unit retail high-frequency trade dealings”.

 

China Crypto May Pose a Challenge to Bitcoin

As a result of the introduction of Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) coming into the space of international finance, discussions centered on the scenario mostly from analysts and economists are dominating the news in the crypto sphere.

A new york University Professor and economist knew for his negative bias towards Bitcoin recently declared in his publication late last year, titled Column for Project Syndicate that the introduction of CBDC’s to the digital sphere will “shut the avenue for Crypto-scammers”.

Probably, most digital payments systems may be changed by the “CBDCs”. Roubini stated by making clear that different to traditional retail banks and websites like Paypal, having high transaction fees, failed transactions and high resistance to free use, the Central banks offer a cost-effective and efficient approach at intermediating and lending money.

Roubini explained that giving access to any person to make payments using the central bank’s platforms, “CBDCs process will automate the structure, easing the requests for money, default banking accounts, and also a digital form of money services”.

In this scenario, the conclusion reached by the economist was declared as having CBDCs replace cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin included, as offering an alternative to low-cost security and decentralized coins by the simplicity of central banking application.

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

EU Antitrust Regulators Scrutinise Facebook’s Cryptocurrency Project

EU Antitrust Regulators Scrutinise Facebook’s “Cryptocurrency” Project

Facebook’s Libra project has been questioned by European Union anti-trust regulators. They are concerned about the project, popularly referred to as a cryptocurrency, restricting competition.

Libra has been subject to immense scrutiny already from global policy and law makers. In fact, the company recently admitted that the regulatory pressure might force it to postpone or even cancel the project altogether.

Facebook’s “Cryptocurrency” Ambitions Draw Yet More Regulatory Attention

Almost as soon as the social networking giant Facebook announced its plans to move into the cryptocurrency space with Libra, the idea was met with hostility from global regulators.

Policy makers from France, the EU, the US, and elsewhere cited a hefty list of concerns about the cryptocurrency-like project. Even United States President Donald Trump weighed in on the subject, stating that the company would have to apply for licences if it wanted to offer banking services, just like any other financial institution does. He also stated that Libra would never pose a challenge to the might of the US dollar:

According to a report today in Bloomberg Law, the list of regulators with doubts about the firm’s cryptocurrency ambitions continues to grow. It states that antitrust regulators in the EU are concerned that the digital currency may stifle competition. The report cites a “document seen by Bloomberg” as evidence.

The document appears to be a questionnaire that has been sent to groups associated with Libra at this early stage of its development. Such a document is a standard part of enquiries made by the European Commission.

The questionnaire seeks to measure how the Libra cryptocurrency-like system may shutout rivals. The European Commission antitrust regulators believe that the integration of the digital currency with applications such as WhatsApp and Messenger could make it all but impossible for competing systems to find traction in the market.

The ever-growing list of regulatory concerns against Libra could well jeopardise the project’s proposed 2020 launch date. In fact, in a document submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the company admitted that the scrutiny might force the California-based social media company to discard the cryptocurrency-like project altogether.

Despite the fact that Libra is being touted as a cryptocurrency, most Bitcoin proponents do not see it as competition. Libra will not be priced by market forces like Bitcoin is. Rather, it will be backed by a basket of national currencies. It therefore does not represent the same robust monetary policy that has made BTC a favourite of economists from the Austrian school of thought.

 

Rick D.

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

THE BITCOIN SKEPTIC – BITCOIN ISN’T A HEDGE FOR ANYTHING

THE BITCOIN SKEPTIC – BITCOIN ISN’T A HEDGE FOR ANYTHING

WHAT IS A HEDGE? IT SURE AIN'T BITCOIN!

A “hedge” is an investment made to offset some form of risk. It can take many forms.

An investor may purchase put options on the stock market that will increase in value if the stock market falls. Perhaps a company will open a factory overseas that it exports products to in order to hedge against currency risk.

So the key to a hedge is that it, as an investment, offsets risk in another investment.

Risk is measured by volatility. The higher the volatility of a security, the riskier it is.

HOW TO MEASURE RISK

Volatility is measured by standard deviation.

To provide a baseline, the five-year standard deviation for the S&P 500 is 12. That means the S&P has a 95% likelihood of moving in a range of -24% to +24% in any given year.

Now let’s look at one of most volatile securities there is in the securities markets: crude oil. The five-year standard deviation for the United States Oil Fund ETF is 28.

Bitcoin is more volatile and riskier than this, but it gets worse.

Now let’s look at a 3x leveraged oil fund ETF, one designed to provide triple the returns of crude oil. The five-year standard deviation for the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF is 54.

The five-year standard deviation for the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF is 85. That means the average annual return of this ETF could swing 170 percent in either direction in any given year. That means, yes, it could go to zero.

That’s right. Bitcoin is 60 percent more volatile than even a 3x leveraged version of the most volatile security out there.

THIS "HEDGE" DOESN'T REDUCE ANYTHING

So how on earth could it be a hedge against anything?

Ed Butowsky, Managing Partner at Chapwood Capital Investment Management, tells CCN:

“Bitcoin is literally the riskiest tradeable asset right now, and I wouldn’t even call it an asset. It is literally backed by nothing and based entirely on speculation. That’s why it is so volatile. It's a sucker's bet, not a hedge”

Butowsky also points out that no other chart of any security anywhere correlates, either positively or negatively, to any other asset. Any expert who says otherwise is "dead wrong" – like this guy:

 

or those who say that makes it a perfect non-correlated asset to the stock market, the idea of a hedge is – once again – to offset risk.

Bitcoin only increases the overall risk in a portfolio.

 

By Lawrence Meyers 19/08/2019

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

IRS Sends New Tax Warning to Crypto Users

IRS Sends New Tax Warning to Crypto Users

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is renewing its crackdown on the crypto industry. According to a recent report from CoinDesk, the American tax agency is sending yet another round of letters to individuals it believes is involved in the trading of Bitcoin and other digital assets. This time, those targeted as those that the IRS claims may be misreporting the income gained from trading on exchanges.

This comes shortly after reports arose that the agency targeted users of Coinbase for potentially incorrectly filing their crypto-related taxes.

This latest letter is, according to crypto tax software startup CoinTracker co-founder Chandan Lodha, different than the previous case. He told CoinDesk:

“Basically what it says is ‘hey we have a report from one of the financial institutions you use and the amount they reported to us the IRS is different than the amount you, the taxpayer, reported and this is the amount you owe’ and it’s a 30-day letter meaning you have to respond in 30 days.”

He went on to advise those that have received this letter to respond, even if the recipient or their account doesn’t believe what was accessed.

These recent warnings seem to be a part of the agency’s plan to crack down on the crypto industry. You see, unlike the United States Dollar or the Euro, Bitcoin is a non-sovereign form of money, as are a number of other digital assets. At least currently, that means there are no “banks of Bitcoin”, no taxes that you have to pay in it, or governmental agencies directly overseeing it.

Due to simple politics, this is obviously something that governments across the globe, especially their finance regulation arms, aren’t entirely amicable with. Because you know what they say, “follow the money”.

Thus, the IRS has been renewing its efforts to catch evaders dealing with this asset class. According to an IRS slide deck leaked online earlier this year, the tax authority intends to allow its agents to use a number of techniques and tactics to target evaders. These techniques include interviews, “open-source searches”, electronic surveillance, social media scrutiny, and Grand Jury subpoenas.

 

By Nick Chong August 18, 2019

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

Daily confluence detector shows med-strong resistance levels till 10750

Daily confluence detector shows med-strong resistance levels till $10,750

 

BTC/USD has had a bullish start to the day as the price has gone up to $10,365.

Price is supported by a strong support level at $10,070.

BTC/USD is on the verge of having three bullish days in a row. Unlike the rest of the crypto market, Bitcoin seems to be creeping along in a bullish trajectory, probably buoyed by the news of the Bakkt announcement. The hourly price chart shows that the price fell to $9,885, where it found support and went up to $10,470. That was when it met resistance and then dropped to $10,365.

BTC/USD daily confluence detector

Daily confluence detector shows med-strong resistance levels till $10,750

The two resistance levels of note are at $10,550 and $10,670. $10,550 has the 4-hour previous high, 200-day simple moving average (SMA 200) and 1-day previous high. $10,670 has the 1-month Fibonacci 38.2% retracement level.

On the downside, there are two support levels at 10,275 and $10,070. $10,275 has the 1-week Fibonacci 38.2% retracement level and 4-hour previous low. The strongest support level is at $10,070, which has the 1-day Fibonacci 61.8% retracement level and 1-month Fibonacci 23.6% retracement level.

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden

BITCOIN COULD BREAK THROUGH TO A NEW HIGH IN 2019 PREDICTS TOM LEE

BITCOIN COULD BREAK THROUGH TO A NEW HIGH IN 2019, PREDICTS TOM LEE

A debate has been raging about whether or not bitcoin should be deemed a safe-haven asset. After all, the leading cryptocurrency sure wasn't behaving like one and investors sure weren't doing a flight to safety in crypto while the equity markets were getting hammered this week. Even now, bitcoin is quietly holding onto $10,000 but not before having dipped below that key level in recent days.

Bitcoin bull and Fundstrat Co-Founder Thomas Lee is not the least bit spooked that investors didn't flock to bitcoin while the stock market – rightfully or wrongfully – signaled a recession. Lee told Fox Business that bitcoin, in fact, is a safe-haven asset, pointing to the premium price paid for the leading cryptocurrency in "markets that are in turmoil." Indeed, a Bloomberg report recently revealed that the bitcoin price was fetching premiums of 10 percent and 4 percent in Argentina and Hong Kong, respectively.

Defenders of bitcoin as a safe haven make the argument that you have look at the longer-term picture rather than the day-to-day action in the price. Fundstrat's Lee, for example, notes that BTC has more than tripled since year-end 2018. Its uncorrelation to stocks and bonds makes it a good "diversification hedge." Lee is also the one to recently remind us that BTC $10,000 is the FOMO level, but institutional investors seemingly have yet to come off of the sidelines.

Nonetheless, something about including "safe haven" and "bitcoin" in the same sentence seems off, given the unpredictable if not defiant nature in which the leading cryptocurrency trades. 2018 isn't too far in the rearview mirror, after all. Besides, why else would crypto asset managers advise such a small allocation to BTC vs. other asset classes? A rare opportunity – definitely. But safe is a little tougher to swallow. This vintage 1999 Jeff Bezos/Amazon.com video that has gone viral on Reddit reminds us of the nascent days of the internet that are comparable to where crypto is today.

BITCOIN TO THE MOON

Fundstrat's Lee is not out of the bitcoin price prediction business. After last year's bullish call for BTC $25,000 didn't work out, Lee backed off from making price forecasts for a while. With the wind seemingly at its back, bitcoin could make a strong finish in 2019 similar to its record display in 2017, and Lee doesn't want to miss out. He tells Fox Business host Stuart Varney:
 

"I think it's going to be much higher by the end of the year and potentially at new all-time highs. I think anyone who wants to have a 2 percent or 1 percent allocation to bitcoin as a hedge against a lot of things that could go wrong it's a smart bet."

By Gerelyn Terzo 15/08/2019

 

David Ogden – Http://markethive.com/david-ogden