Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, is experiencing a notable dip in value, steering towards the critical mark of $40,000. In the last week, Bitcoin has seen a 4.4% decline, and since January 11th, it has dropped approximately 16% from its high of $48,500. This descent brings Bitcoin perilously close to the significant psychological threshold of $40,000, sparking debates about the potential for further downturns.

Key Reasons for the Price Drop

The spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission marked a significant milestone after years of persistent efforts by ETF providers. However, the launch was far from smooth. The agency’s X account was hacked days before the expected confirmation, leading to a false tweet about the ETF’s approval. This misinformation caused a substantial market disruption, resulting in the liquidation of leveraged positions worth millions.

When the official announcement was finally made, technical issues arose with the SEC’s publication of the order, diminishing the impact of the launch. Despite an initial surge in Bitcoin’s price following the announcement, reaching around $48,500, the event turned into a ‘sell-the-news’ situation. The ETF’s inflows were insufficient to offset the selling pressure, which continues as Bitcoin trends towards $40K.

Overheating of the Crypto Market

Before this recent decline, the crypto market had been on a consistent upward trend with minimal corrections. Much of this increase was driven by the anticipation of the spot BTC ETF approval. From mid-October, the price rose from approximately $26,000 to a January peak of $48,500, an 86% increase.

Moreover, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a measure of market sentiment, indicated an overheated market for an extended period. This index had been predominantly in the ‘Greed’ or ‘Extreme Greed’ categories, reflecting an overly optimistic outlook among market participants.

The Future Outlook: A Return of the Bulls?

With the current market dynamics favoring the bears, speculation about the return of a bullish phase is rife. The upcoming Bitcoin halving in April, a significant event that cuts block rewards in half and effectively reduces the new supply of Bitcoin, is seen as a potential turning point. Historically, this event has been a precursor to major bull markets, and many analysts believe the upcoming cycle will follow suit.

Source: https://cryptopotato.com/two-possible-reasons-why-the-bitcoin-price-crashes-toward-40k/