March Bitcoin Analysis: Heightened Transfers, Record Mining Revenue Amidst Ordinals Decline

On-chain metrics for Bitcoin in March 2024 reveal increased transfer activity despite a decline in transactions. Ordinals inscriptions slowed, but mining revenues reached record highs. Funding rates surged to 21%, reflecting bullish sentiment. Total daily transfer volume hit $69.34 billion, a 74% increase, while average transaction fees climbed 25% to $7.68. Nearly 98% of Bitcoin addresses are now in profit, indicating widespread profitability. Bitcoin miners enjoyed a 35% boost in revenues, placing them in the 99th percentile for historical earnings.

On-Chain Bitcoin Analysis for March 2024: Heightened Transfer Activity, Record Mining Revenues Amidst Ordinals Slowdown

Overview

VanEck's on-chain analysis for March 2024 reveals a market characterized by increased transfer activity, fewer transactions, and record Bitcoin mining revenues despite a decline in Ordinals demand. These findings suggest a strengthening market position for Bitcoin miners and indicate potential opportunities for investors seeking undervalued assets within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Bitcoin Price Action

In March, Bitcoin's price surged to an average of $65,504, a significant 38% monthly increase. This surge reflects growing investor confidence as the market anticipates the upcoming halving event. Additionally, trading volumes across the U.S., Asia, and Europe have become more balanced, indicating a more globally unified investment interest in Bitcoin.

Funding Rates

The annualized cost to roll Bitcoin futures contracts jumped to 21%, signaling bullishness about Bitcoin's price trajectory and a scarcity of dollar funding across the market. This suggests that investors are betting on further price appreciation in the short term.

Network Activity and Fees

Despite the positive price action, Bitcoin's daily transactions declined by 4%, indicating a lower level of on-chain activity. Ordinal inscriptions, a unique type of non-fungible token (NFT) stored on the Bitcoin blockchain, also experienced a 27% drop in daily activity, suggesting reduced interest in this specific area of the network.

However, the total transfer volume on the Bitcoin network surged by an impressive 74%, reaching $69.34 billion per day. This elevated activity level places Bitcoin in the 90th percentile of historical performance and highlights the increased use of Bitcoin for transferring large amounts of value.

Average transaction fees also increased by 25% month-over-month to $7.68, indicating a growing cost of participation in the network amidst surging demand. This fee level ranks within the 93rd percentile historically, reflecting increased competition for block space and a shift towards higher-value transactions.

Market Health and Profitability

The percentage of Bitcoin addresses in profit reached 98%, suggesting widespread profitability for Bitcoin holders in the current market climate. Historically, when this metric reaches 100%, Bitcoin has tended to make repeated all-time highs, indicating the potential for further price appreciation in the future.

The net unrealized profit/loss (NUPL) ratio, which measures the market's overall profitability, climbed to 0.61, indicating growing optimism within the market. While this ratio is not yet at the "euphoric" levels above 0.75 that have marked previous peaks, it suggests a strong underlying sentiment among Bitcoin holders.

Bitcoin Miners

Total daily Bitcoin miner revenues experienced a significant 35% boost in March, reaching $62.84 million. This surge in revenue placed Bitcoin miners in the 99th percentile for historical earnings. The improvement in miner profitability is expected to continue as the Bitcoin network approaches the next halving event, which will reduce the block reward and increase miners' competition for fees.

Chart of the Month: Bitcoin vs. Bitcoin Miners

The chart of the month compares the performance of Bitcoin (XBTUSD) to that of a custom index of the top 4 U.S. Bitcoin miners (BTCMINER). The chart shows a positive correlation between the two, indicating that Bitcoin miners' profitability is closely tied to the price of Bitcoin. As Bitcoin's price rises, miners' revenues increase, leading to higher stock prices for publicly traded mining companies.

Net Unrealized Profit/Loss Ratio (NUPL)

The NUPL ratio is calculated by subtracting the realized market cap from the market cap and dividing the result by the market cap. It measures the overall profitability of Bitcoin holders and can provide insights into market sentiment. A high percentage of unrealized profits indicates that investors are optimistic and expect the price to continue rising. Conversely, a low percentage of unrealized profits suggests that investors are cautious and may be expecting a price decline.

Risks and Considerations

The information presented in this analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Investing in Bitcoin and other digital assets involves significant risk and potential for loss. It is crucial to conduct thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Additional Notes

• The views expressed in this analysis are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of VanEck or any of its affiliates.
• Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
• Investors should be aware that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and can fluctuate rapidly.
• It is essential to stay informed about the latest news and developments in the cryptocurrency industry before making any investment decisions.