The supply of Bitcoin (BTC) on Over-the-Counter (OTC) desks has sharply decreased, with stories suggesting that at one level, solely about 40 BTC have been obtainable on the market. This information has important implications for the market and will herald a brand new period in BTC buying and selling dynamics.
OTC Desks Had 40 Bitcoin Out there On Wednesday
Caitlin Lengthy, the CEO and founding father of Custodia Financial institution, offered an eye-opening account of the present state of the OTC Bitcoin market. By a sequence of posts on X (previously Twitter), Lengthy noted, “The #HODLgang has principally held…I hung out in NYC over the previous couple of days and it’s clear why the Bitcoin value spiked this week: there was virtually no BTC obtainable on the market on the massive OTC desks.”
Echoing Lengthy’s observations, Samuel Andrew, a famous determine within the crypto area, added, “OTC desks are practically dried up. Little or no Bitcoin obtainable that’s simply accessible to satisfy demand. BlackRock and Constancy are transferring dimension in methods crypto has by no means seen earlier than.” Lengthy added:
Solely ~40 BTC have been obtainable on the market at any value at one level on Wednesday, I used to be instructed by a reputable supply…
This shortage of BTC on OTC desks will not be an remoted incident however a part of a broader pattern indicating a big shift available in the market. Glassnode, a number one blockchain information and analytics agency, reported that Bitcoins held by OTC desks are at their lowest stage in 5 years. Though Glassnode tracks solely a portion of the OTC market, the information factors to a transparent pattern of dwindling BTC availability.
What This Means For BTC Worth
The implications of this pattern are manifold. Firstly, it suggests a possible provide shock within the Bitcoin market, pushed by elevated demand from institutional traders and huge companies wanting so as to add Bitcoin to their portfolios, in addition to the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs. This provide shock may result in a shift in value discovery from OTC desks to public exchanges, the place the actual market value of Bitcoin will likely be decided extra transparently.
The scarcity of Bitcoin on OTC desks additionally signifies that massive traders and ETFs like BlackRock and Constancy, who historically purchased Bitcoin in bulk at a reduction by way of these desks, could not have this feature. This might additional drive demand on public exchanges, doubtlessly resulting in important value actions.
Analysts are already speculating on the potential outcomes of this example. Alessandro Ottaviani, a outstanding analyst, suggested, “After right now, god candles ($10k within the each day), earlier than the halving are potential and reasonable.”
This sentiment was echoed by Francis Pouliot, CEO of Bull Bitcoin, who remarked on the self-correcting nature of the market: “OTC desks like http://BULLBITCOIN.COM by no means run out of Bitcoin. The value goes up, and folks promote. If individuals don’t promote, the value goes up extra.”
Adam Again, a Bitcoin OG and cypherpunk, provided a bullish outlook, stating, “$100k by halving day. Folks beginning to consider. Bears, leveraged shorts rekt, scared-off, revenue take restrict orders moved upwards or simply deleted to wait-and-see; OTC desks out of cash, daily $500m / 10k BTC ETF purchase partitions. This may hole upwards quick. 51 days to go [until Halving].”
In conclusion, the depletion of BTC provide on OTC desks marks a pivotal second for the market. With the upcoming halving event in April and institutional curiosity at an all-time excessive, the stage is about for doubtlessly unprecedented actions within the Bitcoin market.
At press time, BTC traded at $61,903.

Featured picture created with DALLE, chart from TradingView.com
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