Bitcoin Poised for Further Dip Amid Waning ETF Demand, JPMorgan Warns

Will Bitcoin Plunge Further Amid Waning ETF Demand?

JPMorgan strategists are casting a bearish eye on Bitcoin, predicting further declines as inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs dwindle. They contend that BTC is currently in "overbought" territory, setting the stage for a potential downturn.

Outflows Surge, Challenging ETF Flow Narrative

Since the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on March 20, Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market have experienced a surge in volatility. After reaching a high of $70,000, BTC has retreated due to waning demand for Bitcoin ETFs. As of writing, BTC is trading at $65,891, down 2.25%.

JPMorgan strategists, led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, point to sustained open interest in CME Bitcoin futures and decreasing flows into ETFs as indicators of bearish sentiment. They note that inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have slowed markedly, with outflows dominating in the past week.

Halving Euphoria Wanes, Profit-Taking Intensifies

The upcoming Bitcoin halving event, which will reduce miner rewards from 6.25 BTC to 3.25 BTC, has been eagerly anticipated by the market. However, JPMorgan strategists caution that the euphoria surrounding the event is likely to fade, leading to profit-taking and further declines.

Last month, JPMorgan predicted that Bitcoin would gradually decline towards $42,000 after April, as the excitement around the halving event subsides.

Spot ETF Netflows Slow, Signaling Shift in Sentiment

CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju has also observed a slowdown in Bitcoin spot ETF netflows, suggesting a potential shift in market sentiment. Ju notes that if the price of Bitcoin approaches critical support levels, demand may rebound.

However, he also highlights that a significant number of new whales, primarily ETF buyers, have entered the market with an on-chain cost basis of $56,000. This suggests that these whales may be willing to hold their positions, even in the face of a downturn.

Historical Corrections Suggest "Max Pain" Level

Ju's analysis of historical data indicates that corrections in bull markets typically involve a maximum drawdown of around 30%. In the current scenario, this would translate to a "max pain" level of $51,000 for Bitcoin.

Conclusion: Bearish Signals Dominate, But Upside Potential Remains

JPMorgan strategists remain bearish on Bitcoin in the near term, citing waning ETF demand and overbought conditions. However, CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju suggests that demand may rebound if the price of Bitcoin approaches critical support levels. The presence of new whales with a higher cost basis may also provide some cushion against further declines.