Binance releases its proof of reserves system

  • Binance’s proof of reserves system initially shows results for the flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
  • The crypto exchange will add other tokens and networks as well as implement ZK-SNARKs.
  • Crypto exchanges are looking to show they have the assets they should hold after the shocking collapse of FTX.

Binance has published its proof-of-reserve (PoR) system, days after CEO Changpeng Zhao pledged to have the mechanism in place following the collapse of rival FTX.

The bankruptcy and the contagion that followed crashed the market, with Binance Coin price dropping to lows of $250. Bitcoin price also fell below $16,000, hitting its lowest level since 2020.

In response, multiple exchanges had released a snapshot of their asset reserves. But the crypto community largely noted the snapshot of assets alone wasn’t enough – there was a need to have exchanges’ liabilities also available.

Binance’s proof of reserves showed a 101% ratio

In its update on the issue, Binance has noted its users are now able to verify the exchanges holdings. As for what’s possible now, Binance announced the mechanism will initially support Bitcoin. The exchange will look to add other tokens and networks over the next few weeks.

Binance will also allow for the auditing of its proof of reserves results by third-party auditors and implement ZK-SNARKs to help bolster privacy and robustness.

Because Binance offers Margin and Loans services, the audit results will show the Net Balance, Equity and Debt of each user, where the Net Balance = Equity – Debt,” the Binance team wrote.

A snapshot taken on 22 November 2022 at 23:59 (UTC) shows Binance’s on-chain Bitcoin balances stood at 582,485.9302, while customer net balance was 575,742.4228. The reserve ratio from the snapshot was 101%, with the margin at 6,743 BTC.

Binance customers can verify whether the exchange holds their crypto as it should.

The post Binance releases its proof of reserves system appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin rebounds slightly after the FOMC but is the cryptocurrency bullish?

  • Bitcoin has been steady after FOMC statement

  • The cryptocurrency remains tied to wider crypto concerns

  • BTC needs to overcome $16,500 to become bullish

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) rose slightly on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve statement. The cryptocurrency was held to the $16,500 level after a soft stance by the officials. BTC was already gaining ahead of the remarks as investors were optimistic that the Fed would cool down on rate hikes.

Friday’s Fed statement just confirmed what the market expected. Officials indicated that they would slow down the pace of interest rate increases. Fed cited the uncertain lags associated with the monetary actions on inflation and economic health. The monetary committee settled on the fourth 75 basis points hike regardless. Although this didn’t signal that the interest rates would remain low, it gave markets a softer landing. 

Despite the somewhat positive signal from the Fed, the price of Bitcoin should be viewed within the wider risks contagion. In particular, the confidence crisis created by the collapsed FTX exchange could linger longer. Combined with a potential recession, we could wait a bit longer to see a sustained surge. The slow pace of gains recorded by cryptocurrencies after a dovish statement confirms a lacklustre market. To a technical reader, Bitcoin is not yet bullish.

Bitcoin struggles to rise above $16,500

BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

On the daily chart, Bitcoin’s price has slightly increased since finding support at $15,700. However, buyers are facing challenges taking the cryptocurrency above the $16,500 level. 

Although the RSI has slightly improved from the near-oversold level, the reading is still below the midpoint. 

What next for Bitcoin?

A mixed trading outlook suggests that the BTC price could go higher or lower. There is no confirmed bullish reversal unless the cryptocurrency clears the $16,500 level. That would allow bulls to ride a bullish surge to the $19,000 resistance.

If bear pressure escalates, a price below $15,700 is still on the cards. That would pit Bitcoin at a potential price of $14,000 and $11,000. 

In the words of Bitcoin enthusiast Michael Saylor, if you buy BTC in a timeframe of fewer than four years, you are “just speculating it.” Longer-term buyers would still find BTC attractive, not necessarily for four years, but up to the next bull run.

Where to buy BTC

eToro

eToro is a global social investment brokerage company which offers over 75 cryptocurrencies to invest in. It offers crypto trading commission-free and users on the platform have the option to manually invest or socially invest. eToro even has a unique CopyTrader system which allows users to automatically copy the trades of popular investors.

Buy BTC with eToro today

OKX

OKX is a top cryptocurrency exchange which offers over 140 cryptocurrencies to invest in. OKX takes customer security very seriously, they store almost all of their clients‘ funds in cold storage, and the exchange is yet to be hacked. On top of this, the exchange offers very low fees and customers can even use their crypto as collateral for loans on the platform.

Buy BTC with OKX today

The post Bitcoin rebounds slightly after the FOMC but is the cryptocurrency bullish? appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Will BTC go back up soon?

Bitcoin price has come under intense pressure in the past few months as investors get extremely fearful about the industry. BTC plunged to a low of $15,718, which is significantly lower than its all-time high of near $70,000. It has fallen by over 26% from its highest level this month, crashing its total market cap to about $302 billion.

Will BTC go back up?

Bitcoin price has been in a deep sell-off as a somber mood has engulfed the crypto industry. The two main reasons for the crash are the collapse of FTX and the rising interest rates in the United States. 

The Fed has embraced an extremely hawkish tone in the past few months in its bid to fight soaring inflation. Precisely, it has increased rates by 400 basis points and analysts expect that it will continue hiking for a while.

High interest rates are usually dangerous for risky assets like cryptocurrencies and growth stocks. This also explains why many growth companies like Carvana, Tesla, and Wayfair have seen their shares collapse in the past few months.

Meanwhile, the recent collapse of FTX and Alameda has led to significant contagion risks in the crypto industry. The two companies were significant players in the crypto industry, with FTX being the second-biggest crypto exchange in the world by valuation.

Alameda, on the other hand, was one of the biggest liquidity providers in the industry. As a result, its collapse has had a major impact in the industry. Many people have then decided to completely or temporarily move from the crypto industry.

Bitcoin price sell-off capitulation will likely not happen any time soon. For it to happen, interest rates will likely start moving lower or the Fed will need to signal that it will start slashing. Also, there needs to be clarity on crypto regulations. 

Bitcoin price forecast

            Bitcoin chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the BTC price has been in a strong bearish trend in the past few months. This sell-off accelerated after the coin moved below the important support level at $18,048, which was the lowest point this year. It was also slightly below the highest point in 2017. 

Bitcoin remains significantly below all moving averages while oscillators have moved to the oversold level. Therefore, I suspect that the coin will continue falling in the near term. If this happens, the next key psychological level to watch will be at $10,000.

How to buy Bitcoin

eToro

eToro is a global social investment brokerage company which offers over 75 cryptocurrencies to invest in. It offers crypto trading commission-free and users on the platform have the option to manually invest or socially invest. eToro even has a unique CopyTrader system which allows users to automatically copy the trades of popular investors.

Buy BTC with eToro today

Skilling

Skilling is a Scandinavian based cryptocurrency broker which has a desktop website as well as apps for iOS and Android devices. It supports over 50 cryptocurrencies and it has a demo account to allow users to gain familiarity with the platform. Skilling has no hidden fees, it is an officially regulated broker and it supports a wide range of payment methods.

Buy BTC with Skilling today

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Will BTC go back up soon? appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin’s choppy pattern continues. Here is why the next breakout could be catastrophic

Since breaking below $19,000, Bitcoin (BTC/USD) has been unable to recover to the crucial psychological level. As of press time, the cryptocurrency trades slightly above $16,000, the level it bottomed at post-FTX collapse. It’s nearly two weeks now, and the price of BTC has been consolidating at this yearly low. Can it recover in the next few days?

It is hard to tell if BTC will find a bullish footing as crypto sentiment remains weak. Besides the FTX-inspired crash, BTC remains a key barometer of global economic health. Central banks are tightening the belts with rate increases to tame high inflation. With the situation looking gloomy, it could take a while before we find the right balance to take BTC higher. 

Once again, BTC’s decline below $19,000 indicated its bottom still needs to be found. Is $16,000 the likely bottom, or could we see a further decline below this level? A potential breakout is imminent that could help answer the question. Let’s turn to the technical levels and price action:

BTC eyes a potential bearish inside bar breakout at $16,000

BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

On the daily chart, BTC trades with weakening momentum at the support of $16,000. The MACD indicator shows a strong bear market for BTC. Multiple pin bars formed at the level, indicating indecision in the market.

What’s likely to happen for BTC?

Two possible scenarios are likely for the BTC price in the coming days. If bulls defend the $16,000 level successfully, it will set BTC for a recovery to $19,000. An improved market outlook or momentum will strengthen a bullish market. A bullish signal at the crucial support zone will be needed to confirm an upside. 

On the flip side, Bitcoin could fall to $11,000 if bulls fail at the $16,000 level. This is a more likely outcome, given the weak momentum at the current BTC price. In the bear scenario, a bearish breakout of the inside bars formed at $16,000 will be confirmed. That will give bears control to take BTC lower.

Where to buy BTC    

eToro

eToro is a global social investment brokerage company which offers over 75 cryptocurrencies to invest in. It offers crypto trading commission-free and users on the platform have the option to manually invest or socially invest. eToro even has a unique CopyTrader system which allows users to automatically copy the trades of popular investors.

Buy BTC with eToro today

Skilling

Skilling is a Scandinavian based cryptocurrency broker which has a desktop website as well as apps for iOS and Android devices. It supports over 50 cryptocurrencies and it has a demo account to allow users to gain familiarity with the platform. Skilling has no hidden fees, it is an officially regulated broker and it supports a wide range of payment methods.

Buy BTC with Skilling today

The post Bitcoin’s choppy pattern continues. Here is why the next breakout could be catastrophic appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin could slip below $16k soon as market losses nearly $40 billion over the weekend

The cryptocurrency market has started the week in a negative manner, with prices of most coins down by more than 4% in the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin, the world’s leading cryptocurrency by market cap, has been underperforming over the last few hours. The price of Bitcoin is down by more than 3% in the last 24 hours and is now trading at around $16,071 per coin.

The poor performance could see Bitcoin drop into the $15k region over the next few hours. There is no major catalyst behind Bitcoin’s poor performance as it coincides with that of the broader crypto market.

The total crypto market cap has dropped below the $800 billion mark for the first time in months, after losing 4% of its value in the last 24 hours.

Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has lost 7% of its value today. The price of Ethereum is now trading at around $1,110 per coin.

Key levels to watch

The BTC/USD 4-hour chart is bearish as Bitcoin has been underperforming over the last 24 hours. The technical indicators show that the bears are in control.

The MACD line has dropped into the negative zone, due to Bitcoin losing 3% of its value in the last 24 hours. The 14-day relative strength index of 32 also shows that Bitcoin could enter the oversold region soon if the bearish trend continues.

If the bears remain in charge, Bitcoin could fall below the first major support level at $15,813 before the end of the day. In the event of an extended bearish performance, BTC could dip toward the $15,500 support level.

However, the bulls could make a comeback and push Bitcoin toward the $16,535 resistance level over the next few hours. Unless there is a massive bullish run, BTC will find it hard to move past the $17k resistance level in the near term. 

Where to buy Bitcoin now

eToro

eToro is a global social investment brokerage company which offers over 75 cryptocurrencies to invest in. It offers crypto trading commission-free and users on the platform have the option to manually invest or socially invest. eToro even has a unique CopyTrader system which allows users to automatically copy the trades of popular investors.

Buy BTC with eToro today

Skilling

Skilling is a Scandinavian based cryptocurrency broker which has a desktop website as well as apps for iOS and Android devices. It supports over 50 cryptocurrencies and it has a demo account to allow users to gain familiarity with the platform. Skilling has no hidden fees, it is an officially regulated broker and it supports a wide range of payment methods.

Buy BTC with Skilling today

The post Bitcoin could slip below $16k soon as market losses nearly $40 billion over the weekend appeared first on CoinJournal.