The availability of Bitcoin (BTC) on over-the-counter (OTC) counters has dropped sharply, with studies suggesting that at one level solely round 40 BTC have been obtainable on the market. The information has main implications for the market and will herald a brand new period in Bitcoin buying and selling dynamics.
There are 40 Bitcoins obtainable on the OTC desk on Wednesday
Caitlin Lengthy, CEO and founding father of Custodia Financial institution, gave an eye-opening description of the present state of the over-the-counter Bitcoin market. By means of a collection of posts on X (previously Twitter), Lengthy famous”, “#HODLgang Largely Holding… I’ve spent a while in New York over the previous few days and the explanation for Bitcoin’s worth surge this week is apparent: there’s nearly nothing on the market on the large OTC desks of Bitcoin. “
Samuel Andrew, a well known determine within the cryptocurrency house, echoed Lang’s commentary, including: “OTC desks have all however dried up. There are only a few Bitcoins obtainable that may simply meet demand. BlackRock and Wealthy Da is scaling in methods by no means earlier than seen within the cryptocurrency house.” Lengthy Add to:
A dependable supply informed me that at one level on Wednesday, solely about 40 Bitcoins have been obtainable on the market at any worth…
The shortage of Bitcoin on OTC desks is just not an remoted incident however a part of a broader pattern that signifies a significant shift available in the market. Main blockchain information and analytics firm Glassnode studies that Bitcoin holdings on over-the-counter buying and selling desks are at their lowest degree in 5 years. Though Glassnode solely tracks a portion of the OTC market, the info exhibits a transparent downward pattern in BTC availability.
What this implies for Bitcoin worth
The influence of this pattern is manifold. First, it means that the Bitcoin market could also be experiencing a provide shock resulting from elevated demand from institutional traders and huge firms wanting so as to add Bitcoin to their portfolios, in addition to the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs. This provide shock may trigger worth discovery to shift from over-the-counter buying and selling platforms to public exchanges, the place the precise market worth of Bitcoin can be decided extra transparently.
The scarcity of Bitcoin on OTC desks additionally implies that giant traders and ETFs corresponding to BlackRock and Constancy who historically purchase Bitcoin in bulk at reductions by these desks might now not have that choice. This might additional drive demand on public exchanges, which may result in vital worth swings.
Analysts are already speculating on the attainable outcomes of this state of affairs. Well-known analyst Alessandro Ottaviani suggestion“After at the moment, the God candle ($10,000 per day), earlier than the halving is feasible and sensible.”
This emotion is echo Bull Bitcoin CEO Francis Pouliot mentioned of the self-correcting nature of the market: “OTCs like BULLBITCOIN.COM won’t ever run out of Bitcoin. Costs rise and other people promote. If folks don’t Promote, and the worth will go up much more.”
Adam Again, Bitcoin OG and Cypherpunks, if Bullish outlook, noting that “$100,000 was value on the day of the halving. Individuals are beginning to imagine. Shorts, leveraged shorts react, get scared off, take income. Restrict orders transfer up or simply delete to attend and see; OTC counters are in need of cash, 500 million every day USD/10k BTC ETF purchase wall. This might hole up rapidly. 51 days left [until Halving]”.
In abstract, the depletion of BTC provide on OTC platforms marks a crucial second for the market. With the upcoming halving occasion in April and institutional curiosity at an all-time excessive, the Bitcoin market may see unprecedented strikes.
At press time, BTC was buying and selling at $61,903.

Featured picture created utilizing DALLE, chart from TradingView.com
Disclaimer: This text is for instructional functions solely. It doesn’t characterize NewsBTC’s opinion on whether or not to purchase, promote or maintain any funding, and funding naturally includes dangers. It’s endorsed that you just conduct your individual analysis earlier than making any funding resolution. Use of the data supplied on this web site is fully at your individual danger.
