Bitcoin (BTC) Price Broke Past $72,000, Reaching Its Peak Price Since June 2022

Bitcoin (BTC) broke past $72,000 on October 29, 2024, reaching its peak price since June, according to the Brave New Coin's Bitcoin Liquid Index.

On October 29, Bitcoin price breached the $72,000 mark, hitting its highest level since June, as indicated by the Brave New Coin’s Bitcoin Liquid Index. This price surge coincides with a record increase in Bitcoin (BTC) futures open interest (OI) in U.S. dollar terms, reflecting heightened interest from traders and investors in the leading cryptocurrency, setting the stage for a potential bullish rally.

According to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), on Tuesday, BTC futures recorded a remarkable single-day surge in OI since June 3, with an addition of over 20,000 BTC, valued at roughly $2.5 billion at current prices. The total OI approached 600,000 BTC, amounting to around $42.6 billion. Open interest tracks outstanding derivative contracts like futures or options that remain unsettled. When OI rises in conjunction with increasing prices, it usually signifies fresh capital entering the market, bolstering a bullish outlook.

However, high OI can amplify volatility, especially as contracts approach expiration, as traders may engage in rapid adjustments, rollovers, or closing positions, influencing price movements. Data from Kaiko highlights that while the futures marketgarners strong attention, funding rates for these positions remain below March highs, suggesting that demand may still be entering cautiously despite the increasing OI.

Funding rates in perpetual futures markets, which are periodic payments made to balance contract prices with asset spot prices, shifted significantly recently. According to data from Coinglass, there was a surge in funding rates on Monday, reaching up to 15%, marking one of the highest points in recent months. Rising funding rates indicate a strong preference for bullish long trades, which could be reflecting a positive outlook for Bitcoin’s short-term trajectory.

Singapore-based QCP Capital shared a bullish view on Bitcoin, projecting continued price increases. In a recent Telegram broadcast, QCP Capital noted that optimism around a potential Trump win could drive up both stocks and Bitcoin, which would be setting up BTC for more gains in the mid-term, highlighting the strong confidence institutional investors have in Bitcoin's future.

Moreover, contracts on the CME recorded a 9% spike in open interest within 24 hours, reaching 171,700 BTC, with a value exceeding $12.22 billion. This rise further solidifies CME's leading position in future open interest, contributing 30% of the total market. Despite occasional shifts, CME consistently maintains its top role in Bitcoin futures trading.

According to Glassnode data, in mid-October, Bitcoin was trading around $67,000, with CME’s open interest hitting all-time highs in both notional open interest ($12.4 billion) and Bitcoin-denominated futures contracts (179,930 BTC). This period also marked a shift in the dynamics of Bitcoin trading, driven by strong inflows from U.S.-listed spot ETFs.

Since October 16, Bitcoin-denominated futures contracts on CME have decreased by over 6%, which sharply contrasts with ETF inflows. Over this period, ETFs have seen a net inflow of $2.7 billion. Notably, BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led this charge, with $2.2 billion in net inflows and a new record of holding over 400,000 Bitcoin in the ETF.

This shift in strategy aligns with the progression from institutional basis trades at the beginning of the year to more bullish, long-directional plays, reflecting growing confidence in Bitcoin’s upward trajectory.

Earlier in the year, basis trading, or cash-and-carry arbitrage, was a common strategy. This involved taking a long position on the ETF and a short position on CME futures to exploit price differences between the spot and futures markets. This strategy kept Bitcoin trading in a sideways range, as not all ETF inflows were directionally long, ultimately resulting in a net-neutral strategy.

Analysts are highlighting a divergence between rising ETF inflows and CME open interest growth. Checkmate, an analysis firm, points out the steady ETF inflows, which contrast with the modest increases in CME open interest. According to Checkmate, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) outflows remain minimal, suggesting genuine ETF inflows without significant cash-and-carry trades.

Emory University's endowment is also joining the crypto bandwagon, with a recent investment in the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC), reflecting a strategic long position, similar to the Wisconsin Pension Fund's approach. While Emory's $15 million investment may seem small for an institutional player, it marks a shift towards direct bullish exposure in Bitcoin.

However, not all experts share this optimism. Andre Dragosch, Bitwise's head of research, offers a different perspective, noting rising