Bitcoin Slumps as Crypto ETFs Fizzle in Hong Kong, US Counterparts Falter

Amid the launch of Hong Kong's Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, Bitcoin's value has declined further, with limited investor interest resulting in volumes far below expectations. The broader crypto market has witnessed a downturn, with major cryptocurrencies such as Ether, Solana, and Dogecoin shedding significant value.

Bitcoin Plunges as Hong Kong's Crypto ETFs Fizzle, U.S. Counterparts Flounder

Hong Kong's much-anticipated crypto-related ETFs have failed to live up to expectations, contributing to a significant drop in Bitcoin's value. Six ETFs were listed on the Hong Kong exchange recently, but Bitcoin ETFs brought in a meager $8.5 million in volume, while Ether ETFs generated a mere $2.5 million. This total contribution pales in comparison to the optimistic $100 million in initial volume anticipated by issuers.

The dismal debut of Hong Kong's crypto ETFs has reverberated across the global cryptocurrency market, sending Bitcoin tumbling below $61,000 on Monday morning. The decline extended well into Tuesday, with Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, dropping over 4% in the past 24 hours to hover around $3,000. Solana and Dogecoin also experienced significant losses, shedding over 5% of their value today. As a result, the global crypto market cap has plummeted by over 3% to $2.24 trillion in the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

The lackluster performance of crypto ETFs in Hong Kong is echoed in the United States, where Bitcoin ETFs have been struggling despite a total net inflow of $11 billion. However, this figure could have been significantly higher had Grayscale's GBTC experienced any inflows. According to investment firm Farside, GBTC has endured outflows for over a month, totaling a staggering $17 billion since April 11. Fidelity's FBTC has also witnessed continuous outflows over the past three days, totaling $31 million.

The recent price drop in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies follows a period of relative stability after the currency underwent its "halving" process. The current downturn is primarily attributed to investor unease triggered by the Federal Reserve's announcement of no imminent interest rate cuts and rising fears of stagflation.