The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a continued downward trend as Bitcoin‘s price retreats from the $40,000 threshold, now trading at $39,700. Over the last 24 hours, BTC has seen a 5% decrease, mirroring similar declines in many altcoins. This article explores the factors behind the ongoing decline and the recent liquidation activities in the crypto market.

Grayscale Outflows Impact Bitcoin Prices

Bitcoin Is Traded At $39.737 At The Time Of Writing This Article (Source: Tradingview)
Bitcoin is traded at $39.737 at the time of writing this article (Source: TradingView)

A significant driver of the current market downturn is the outflows from Grayscale‘s GBTC product, leading to substantial BTC sales. Recent developments reveal that approximately $1 billion worth of BTC has been sold by FTX’s bankruptcy management since GBTC transitioned into a spot ETF. Following the sell-off, Grayscale’s GBTC product now holds 563,000 BTC, down from 613,000 BTC before the spot ETF era. This trend has contributed to the overall bearish sentiment in the market.

Read more: Alameda Research Drops Lawsuit as GBTC Faces Outflows Post-Conversion

Liquidations Surge as Bitcoin Slides Below $40K

Total Liquidations At The Time Of Writing This Article (Source: Coinglass)
Total liquidations at the time of writing this article (Source: CoinGlass)

With the recent declines in cryptocurrency prices, a total of $65 million in liquidations occurred in the last hour. Of this amount, $63 million resulted from the liquidation of long positions, while $2 million came from short positions. Notably, $25 million of the liquidations in long positions affected Bitcoin, $12 million impacted Ethereum, and $4 million pertained to Solana. The market is experiencing heightened volatility, with liquidations adding to the selling pressure.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s descent below $40,000, now down nearly 20% from post-ETF highs, indicates a challenging period for the cryptocurrency. Analysts, such as those at 10x Research, are eyeing the $38,000 level as a potential bottom. The market dynamics, driven by Grayscale outflows and liquidations, underscore the complexities facing the crypto space. As investors seek a bottom and navigate the evolving landscape, the coming weeks may provide insights into the market’s resilience and potential recovery paths.