The provision 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 out there 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 Accessible 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 collection of posts on X (previously Twitter), Lengthy noted, “The #HODLgang has largely 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 nearly no BTC out there on the market on the large OTC desks.”
Echoing Lengthy’s observations, Samuel Andrew, a famous determine within the crypto house, added, “OTC desks are almost dried up. Little or no Bitcoin out there that’s simply accessible to satisfy demand. BlackRock and Constancy are transferring measurement in methods crypto has by no means seen earlier than.” Lengthy added:
Solely ~40 BTC have been out there on the market at any value at one level on Wednesday, I used to be informed by a reputable supply…
This shortage of BTC on OTC desks just isn’t an remoted incident however a part of a broader development indicating a major 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 info factors to a transparent development of dwindling BTC availability.
What This Means For BTC Worth
The implications of this development are manifold. Firstly, it suggests a possible provide shock within the Bitcoin market, pushed by elevated demand from institutional buyers and huge firms wanting so as to add Bitcoin to their portfolios, in addition to the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs. This provide shock might 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 buyers and ETFs like BlackRock and Constancy, who historically purchased Bitcoin in bulk at a reduction by means of these desks, might now not have this selection. This might additional drive demand on public exchanges, probably resulting in important value actions.
Analysts are already speculating on the doable outcomes of this example. Alessandro Ottaviani, a distinguished analyst, suggested, “After right now, god candles ($10k within the each day), earlier than the halving are doable and real looking.”
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 worth goes up extra.”
Adam Again, a Bitcoin OG and cypherpunk, provided a bullish outlook, stating, “$100k by halving day. Folks beginning to imagine. 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 will 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 ready for probably 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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