Summary In our May 2024 Bitcoin ChainCheck, we dive deeper into the shifts within the Bitcoin ecosystem following the recent halving event. Bitcoin prices displayed a slight decline of 2% over the last 30 days, currently standing at $64,815. The annualized cost on Bitcoin Futures saw a significant reduction to 10%, possibly indicating decreased speculation or lower bullish sentiment in the market. The latest analysis of the Bitcoin ecosystem shows major shifts post-halving, with decreased inscriptions and revenues prompting miners to explore AI and M&A for diversification. Please note that VanEck has exposure to bitcoin. In our May 2024 Bitcoin ChainCheck, we dive deeper into the shifts within the Bitcoin ecosystem following the recent halving event. This month's analysis observes a major pullback in inscriptions (-79%) and Bitcoin mining revenues (-49%). In response to the tougher operating environment, the network's total hash rate fell 4% in the month, and Bitcoin mining equities fell 9%. Such challenges are leading many miners to either explore AI applications or M&A to achieve diversification or more scale. Some takeaways for May 2024: Bitcoin's Price Action Market sentiment: Bitcoin prices displayed a slight decline of 2% over the last 30 days, currently standing at $64,815. Despite this minor setback, BTC is still up 136% y/y. Regional trading: Post-halving adjustments and ETF availability have brought distinct changes in regional market behaviors, with Bitcoin exhibiting clear relative strength during U.S. trading hours. MoM Change (%) YoY Change (%) Asia Hours Price Change MoM ($) -4 8 U.S. hours Price Change 4 82 EU hours Price Change -2 41 Source: Glassnode, as of 5/28/24. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Funding rates: The annualized cost on Bitcoin Futures saw a significant reduction to 10%, possibly indicating decreased speculation or lower bullish sentiment in the market. Bitcoin's Network Activity, Adoption, and Fees Daily transactions: There has been a notable increase of 20% this month in transactions, likely due to ongoing re-adjustments post-halving. Such activity is in the 98th percentile of activity. Ordinal inscriptions: A steep 79% reduction in daily inscriptions has occurred, suggesting a strong market shift away from these assets. Total transfer volume: Total transfer value across the network decreased by 13% to $44.60 billion, albeit still maintaining robust activity metrics in the 85th percentile of all-time history. Average transaction fees: Fees experienced a dramatic downturn of 78%, averaging $3.68, which points to decreased network congestion as inscriptions have dwindled. Bitcoin Market Health and Profitability Percent of addresses in profit : A slight drop was noted, with 93% of addresses remaining in profit. As we have noted, when this number reaches 100% after a multi-year gap, as it did in January, Bitcoin tends to make repeated all-time highs in the subsequent year. Net unrealized profit/loss: This ratio decreased to 0.56, interpreting a cautious yet not overly pessimistic sentiment. Bitcoin Miners Total daily BTC miner revenues : Miners faced a sharp revenue drop of 49% to $30.83 million, reflecting the impacts of lower transaction fees and mining rewards post-halving. We have noticed some recent M&A among Bitcoin miners, with U.S.-listed RIOT making a bid for Canadian Bitfarms ( BITF ) after accumulating a 10% stake in the open market, which follows the closing of Hut8 Mining's purchase of US Bitcoin late last year. Chart of the Month: BTC 30-Day Average Fees ((USD)) Source: Glassnode, VanEck research as of 5/28/24. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Bitcoin ChainCheck Monthly Dashboard as of May 28th, 2024 30-day avg 30 day change (%) 365 day change (%) Last 30 days Percentile vs all-time history (%) Bitcoin Price $64,815 -2 136 99 Daily Active Addresses 687,147 -16 -18 62 Daily New Addresses 282,394 -21 -30 54 Daily Transactions 571,778 20 8 98 Daily Inscriptions 8,359 -79 -97 16 Total Transfer Volume ((USD)) $44,602,891,094 -13 105 85 % Supply Active, last 180 days 24% 3 21 29 % Supply Active, last 3+ years 46% 2 16 100 Avg Fees ((USD)) $3.68 -78 -51 83 Avg Fees (BTC) 0.00006 -78 -79 17 Percent of BTC Addresses in profit 93% -1 37 79 Unrealized profit/loss ratio 0.56 -3 94 77 Global Power Consumption (TWh) 117 -3 69 99 Total Daily BTC Miner Revenues ((USD)) $30,832,877 -49 4 85 Total Crypto Equities' Market Cap ((USD)) (MM) $141,047 -9 164 91 Transfer volume from Miners to Exchanges ((USD)) $2,289,134 -44 -42 67 Bitcoin Dominance 53% 0.38 15 78 Bitcoin Futures Annualized Basis 10% -28 270 66 Source: Glassnode, VanEck research as of 5/28/24. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Notes: Net unrealized profit/loss ratio (NUPL) can be calculated by subtracting the realized market cap from the market cap and dividing the result by the market cap. When a high percentage of Bitcoin's market cap consists of unrealized profits, it can be interpreted that investors are greedy. Links to third party websites are provided as a convenience and the inclusion of such links does not imply any endorsement, approval, investigation, verification or monitoring by us of any content or information contained within or accessible from the linked sites. By clicking on the link to a non-VanEck webpage, you acknowledge that you are entering a third-party website subject to its own terms and conditions. VanEck disclaims responsibility for content, legality of access or suitability of the third-party websites. Disclosures Coin Definitions Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries. Risk Considerations This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. 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These risks include, but are not limited to: the technology is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; volatility and limited liquidity, including but not limited to, inability to liquidate a position; loss or destruction of key(s) to access accounts or the blockchain; reliance on digital wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Moreover, the extent to which Web3 companies or digital assets utilize blockchain technology may vary, and it is possible that even widespread adoption of blockchain technology may not result in a material increase in the value of such companies or digital assets. Digital asset prices are highly volatile, and the value of digital assets, and Web3 companies, can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. 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All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. © 2024 VanEck. VanEck®, VanEck Access the opportunities®, and the stylized VanEck design® are trademarks of VanEck Associates Corporation. © VanEck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of VanEck Associates Corporation. Original Post Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.
