Bitcoin (BTC) is currently stabilizing below the $44,000 mark, following a surge to just above $45,000 on Coinbase, marking its highest point in 2023 and a significant 173% increase since the year’s start.
Mathieu Ziaei, a portfolio manager at Criptonite Asset Management, observes, “Bitcoin has been maintaining its position above $43,000, even breaching $44,000, holding its ground firmly for the first time in over a year. This resilience reflects the best November performance for Bitcoin since 2020, fueled by bullish market sentiment.”
Ziaei attributes this recent rally to the settlement between Binance and the U.S. Department of Justice, sparking market excitement about the potential approval of a spot BTC exchange-traded fund (ETF) in January 2024. The anticipation of this ETF, he suggests, could lead to significant cash inflows and drive up prices in the crypto market.
He further hypothesizes that traders are likely to front-run the ETF, predicting a short-term peak for Bitcoin around $48,000. “This perfect alignment of factors, including ETF hype and a nearing financial cycle end, creates an ideal environment for Bitcoin’s rally,” Ziaei adds.
Additionally, Ziaei points out “rumors of financial easing” as another catalyst. These policies, typically involving lower interest rates or other stimulative monetary measures, encourage investors to embrace higher risks. He cautions against maintaining or entering short positions in the current market, given the positive shift in dynamics and the risk of being on the wrong side of the trade.
Ziaei also reflects on the “black swan” events in the crypto world, like the collapses of FTX, Luna, and Three Arrows, which initially increased market caution. However, he sees these events as a cleansing force in the industry, potentially leading to a reversal of sentiment, especially if a spot Bitcoin ETF is approved in the U.S. Yet, he warns of a potential classic ‘buy the rumor, sell the fact’ scenario in early 2024, which could lead to a sharp downturn.
Amidst these predictions, analysts at Bitfinex offer a more conservative outlook for Bitcoin’s price in 2024. While some in the market are eyeing a $100,000 target, Bitfinex analysts expect Bitcoin to reach between $60,000 and $75,000 by the end of next year, a range they consider attainable given this year’s low of around $16,000 and the current level near $44,000.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $43,977.88. BTC hit a peak of nearly $69,000 in November 2021.
Featured Image – Freepik
Author Kristen Moran 
