August 23, 2023

4 min read

Bitcoin's Unexpected Dive: Behind the Recent Price Drop

Unpacking the events of SpaceX, Evergrande, and the rising dollar.

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An Unforeseen Stability Break

For months, the bitcoin price held an uncanny stability. But on Thursday, tranquility was disrupted. Contrary to bullish hopes, bitcoin plummeted by over $2,000 within minutes, resting just above $25,000. Let's explore the 'why' behind this move.


The Usual Suspects: Events & Analysis

Every time traders are taken by surprise with sharp price movements, analysts scramble to link them to recent events. This time, all fingers pointed towards Evergrande and SpaceX.


SpaceX, Elon Musk's space transportation venture, announced in July 2021 its decision to convert part of its cash reserves to Bitcoin. Musk stated, “The only things I own beyond Tesla and SpaceX stock are bitcoin, some ether, and dogecoin.” He had no plans to sell. But 2022 painted a different picture. 


Tesla offloaded 75% of its bitcoin holdings, contradicting Musk's earlier 'diamond hands' tweet. Now, recent findings reveal SpaceX's similar sentiment towards cryptocurrency. A close look at SpaceX's financial reports by the *Wall Street Journal* unveiled a cryptic note: SpaceX had "written down the value of its bitcoin holdings by $373 million and sold off the cryptocurrency." Tesla mirrored this approach.


This revelation fueled media speculation. While many reported SpaceX had "sold all its bitcoin," the actual implication was different. Writing down assets means adjusting their book value, not necessarily selling them. SpaceX's bitcoin's market value had fallen since its purchase.


Meanwhile, Evergrande, a Chinese real estate giant, has accumulated debt in hundreds of billions. A once-thriving company, it now struggles to pay bills, leading to a US bankruptcy application. The potential fallout from Evergrande's downfall is alarming, with some drawing parallels to the 2008 financial crisis.


Do These Events Explain the Crypto Crash?

Another significant event was the U.S. dollar's value surge to a two-month high. Increased demand might be a direct response to growing economic uncertainties, indicating dwindling risk appetite.


Thus, both Evergrande's precarious situation and SpaceX's moves can be contextualized within this larger economic narrative. Evergrande's looming bankruptcy serves as a cautionary tale about the effects of prolonged monetary stimulation. SpaceX's potential bitcoin sale might be a pragmatic decision to ensure bill payments in a predominantly dollar-driven world.


In a bitcoin market teetering on the decision, these factors triggered a downward breakout. Speculators were forced to liquidate, intensifying the drop. 40% of these liquidations occurred on OKX, pushing $330 million, further fueling the decline.


The price has since stabilized around $26,000. Remember, the market comprises diverse investors, each with their motives. One's hesitation is another's opportunity. For those convinced of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies' enduring nature, this bear market tail end could be a chance to consolidate positions.


If recent events shook your confidence or cultivated negativity, remember you're not alone. Reevaluate your portfolio and strategize accordingly!

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