The long-anticipated repayment of $10 billion worth of Bitcoin to Mt. Gox creditors is set to begin in July. While many fear this could lead to a flood of Bitcoin hitting the market, analysts suggest the impact may not be as severe as expected.
Quick Take
-
Analysts predict the scheduled repayment of $10 billion worth of Bitcoin may not significantly impact prices.
-
Experts believe much of the expected selling pressure from Mt. Gox repayments is already reflected in current market conditions.
-
Many Mt. Gox creditors are long-term holders, less likely to sell immediately despite significant gains.
-
Bitcoin is approaching crucial support levels, indicating potential stabilization or further declines.
Mt. Gox, a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange, collapsed in 2014 after a massive hack. The exchange lost around 940,000 BTC, worth approximately $64 million at the time. Over the years, Mt. Gox recovered 141,687 BTC to return to its creditors, which is now valued at $10 billion. These repayments are scheduled to start in early July.
Read more: Bitcoin’s Price Plummets to $61,000: Key Factors Behind the Recent Decline
Analysts Expect Only Around 50% of the BTC to Hit Markets in July
Tony Sycamore, an analyst at IG Markets, estimates that around half of the total Bitcoin — worth roughly $5 billion — could be set to hit the market in July. However, Sycamore believes much of the expected sell pressure is already priced into the current market conditions. He points out that the repayments have been anticipated for a long time and are occurring amidst deteriorating market sentiment, technical selling, and outflows from Bitcoin ETFs.
Galaxy Research suggests that only 65,000 of the total 141,000 BTC might actually hit the market. The firm predicts that about 75% of creditors will opt for an early payout, sacrificing 10% of their repayment, resulting in an approximate 95,000 BTC hitting the market initially. Additionally, 20,000 BTC is owed to claims funds, and 10,000 BTC to Bitcoinica BK, leaving just 65,000 BTC for regular creditors.
Will Mt. Gox Creditors HODL Their Bitcoins?
Sam Callahan, senior analyst at Swan Bitcoin, believes the impact on Bitcoin's price from Mt. Gox distributing Bitcoin is likely overblown. He argues that creditors who wanted to sell their Bitcoin have had more than ten years to do so through selling their bankruptcy claims to more convicted, long-term investors. Callahan also highlights that most creditors will likely hold their Bitcoin because their cost basis is less than $700 per Bitcoin.
Despite the fears, some observers believe that the concerns about the sell pressure from Mt. Gox repayments may be overblown. Alistair Milne, CIO of Altana Digital Currency Fund, noted that distressed or urgent sellers likely sold their claims years ago. He suggests that the remaining creditors are not under pressure to sell immediately.
Bitcoin to Test Levels Between $55k and $75
Bitcoin has been consolidating within a descending parallel channel since its bull run in March 2024. Analysts are closely watching the psychological support level of $60,000 and the 200-day exponential moving average at around $58,000. Independent market analyst Teddy Cleps anticipates Bitcoin could slide towards $61,000, which aligns with historical support levels.
BTC/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin
The announcement of Mt. Gox repayments has led to increased demand for short-term BTC put options, indicating renewed interest in downside protection. BTC's market dominance fell by 1.8% to 54.34%, reflecting investor apprehension about the potential impact of the repayments.
While Bitcoin's price continues to face downward pressure, some analysts remain optimistic. Michael Novogratz of Galaxy Digital Holdings predicts that Bitcoin will trade within the $55,000-75,000 range throughout Q2 2024, driven by new market events and regulatory clarity.
Read more: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2024
Conclusion
The upcoming Mt. Gox repayments have stirred significant concern among Bitcoin investors. However, many analysts believe the impact may be less dramatic than feared. Much of the expected sell pressure appears to be already priced into the market, and many creditors are likely to hold their Bitcoin rather than sell immediately. As Bitcoin approaches crucial support levels, the market's reaction in the coming weeks will be critical in determining its short-term trajectory.
