Bitcoin, Ether Swing From Cold to Hot in Event-Filled Week

The two largest cryptocurrencies have risen 31% and 26%, respectively, even as bank failures, inflation concerns and ETH selling pressure have roiled traditional asset markets.

AccessTimeIconMar 17, 2023 at 8:15 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 17, 2023 at 8:34 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) started the working week at technically oversold levels and ended it at the precipice of overbought levels.

The two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization weathered bank failures, inflation concerns and ETH selling pressure to ride higher. Bitcoin was recently selling at about $26,780, up more than 30% over the past seven days, with much of its gains occurring since Monday. Ether has climbed about 21% over the same period.

Both assets made abrupt turns at the technically oversold Relative Strength Index mark of 30 on March 11, and accelerated their move higher following assurances by the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC) that Silicon Valley Bank depositors would be made whole.

Bitcoin and ether now show RSIs of 70.7 and 61, respectively, moving them to the edge of the traditionally overbought reading of 70.

Bitcoin (TradingView)
Bitcoin (TradingView)

Historically, bitcoin has continued to perform well even when reaching overbought levels. Data dating to 2015 shows 408 occurrences where bitcoin’s RSI broached 70. Its average 30-day performance following an occurrence was a 13% increase.

Ether’s average performance was a less-robust 3% return after 30 days, highlighting that bitcoin has tended to trend higher when technically overbought, while ETH has been more prone to trim gains.

The two assets remain tightly correlated to each other, implying that investors still view them in a similar fashion despite their stark differences in how they’re used.

BTC and ETH’s performance ranked them fifth and seventh among cryptocurrencies with a market cap of $1 billion or more.

Asset Performance 03/17/23 (Messari)
Asset Performance 03/17/23 (Messari)

Leading the pack was STX, token of the Stacks layer 2 Bitcoin protocol, which finished up 75%. Immutable X ranked second among the group with a 69% increase.

All but one of the assets on the list finished in positive territory, with LEO the lone asset to decline over the most recent seven days.

Next week, investors will be focusing on Wednesday’s Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) interest rate decision, currently favored to result in a 25-basis point increase. Little significant data is likely to change expectations before the announcement. Investors will likely pay special attention to the FOMC’s economic projections, as they will show the reasoning behind the FOMC’s decision.

Whether the recent decoupling from traditional financial indexes holds next week will also be interesting to see.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Glenn Williams

Glenn C Williams Jr, CMT is a Crypto Markets Analyst with an initial background in traditional finance. His experience includes research and analysis of individual cryptocurrencies, defi protocols, and crypto-based funds. He owns BTC, ETH, UNI, DOT, MATIC, and AVAX


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.