Decentral Block Post

Bitcoin (BTC) is leading the cryptocurrency markets lower and the matter is being exacerbated by Silvergate Banks' ongoing issues. This week the cryptocurrency-focused bank said that it needed additional time to file its annual 10-K report and warned that it may not be able to operate for another 12 months. Reacting to this news, several cryptocurrency companies announced that they were reducing or canceling their partnerships with Silvergate Bank. 

The uncertainty regarding the future of the bank and its overall impact on the cryptocurrency sector may have caused a knee-jerk reaction. However, if the contagion does not spread, the downside may be limited.

Another positive for the cryptocurrency markets is that the United States equities markets are attempting to start a recovery. This suggests that traders continue to add risk to their portfolios at lower levels. This risk-on sentiment may limit the downside in Bitcoin and select altcoins.

What are the important levels on the downside that may act as a support and start a recovery in Bitcoin and the major altcoins? Let’s study the charts of the top-10 cryptocurrencies to find out.

BTC/USDT

The failure to rise above the $24,000 level may have tempted traders to book profits. The selling accelerated on March 3 and the bears pulled the price below the immediate support at $22,800.

Cryptocurrency markets experienced a relatively calm month in February as the total market capitalization gained 4% in the period. However, the fear of regulatory pressure appears to be having an impact on volatility in March.

Bulls will undoubtedly miss the technical pattern that has been guiding the total crypto market capitalization upwards for the past 48 days. Unfortunately, not all trends last forever, and the 6.3% price correction on March 2 was enough to break below the ascending channel support level.

As displayed above, the ascending channel initiated in mid-January saw its $1.025 trillion market cap floor ruptured after Silvergate bank, a major player in crypto on and off-ramping, saw its stock plunge by 57.7% at the New York Stock Exchange on March 2. Silvergate announced "additional losses" and suboptimal capitalization, potentially triggering a bank run that could lead to the situation spiraling out of control.

Silvergate provides financial infrastructure services to some of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, institutional investors and mining companies. Consequently, clients were incentivized to seek alternative solutions or sell their positions to reduce exposure in the crypto sector.

On March 2, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX revealed a "massive shortfall" in its digital asset and fiat currency holdings, contrary to the previous estimate that $5 billion could be recovered in cash and liquid crypto positions. On Feb. 28, former FTX engineering director Nishad Singh pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud along with wire and commodities fraud conspiracy.

Cryptocurrency markets experienced a relatively calm month in February as the total market capitalization gained 4% in the period. However, the fear of regulatory pressure appears to be having an impact on volatility in March.

Bulls will undoubtedly miss the technical pattern that has been guiding the total crypto market capitalization upward for the past 48 days. Unfortunately, not all trends last forever, and the 6.3% price correction on March 2 was enough to break below the ascending channel support level.

As displayed above, the ascending channel initiated in mid-January saw its $1.025-trillion market cap floor ruptured after Silvergate Bank, a major player in crypto on- and off-ramping, saw its stock plunge by 57.7% at the New York Stock Exchange on March 2. Silvergate announced “additional losses” and suboptimal capitalization, potentially triggering a bank run that could lead to the situation spiraling out of control.

Silvergate provides financial infrastructure services to some of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, institutional investors and mining companies. Consequently, clients were incentivized to seek alternative solutions or sell their positions to reduce exposure in the crypto sector.

On March 2, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX revealed a “massive shortfall” in its digital asset and fiat currency holdings, contrary to the previous estimate that $5 billion could be recovered in cash and liquid crypto positions. On Feb. 28, former FTX engineering director Nishad Singh pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud along with wire and commodities fraud conspiracy.

The U.S. stock market approaches a crucial turning point as uncertainty over inflation rises after hotter-than-expected economic data released in February. Despite mounting investor worries, the economy is showing signs of resilience that could protect against a significant downside move. 

The escalating risk-off sentiment in the market is also creating volatility for Bitcoin (BTC). The leading crypto asset, which has had a strong correlation with the U.S. stock market, moved oppositely to the stock market in February. The correction between BTC and Nasdaq turned negative for the first time in two years. However, with the crypto bulls pausing at the $25,200 level, the risks of a downturn alongside stocks are increasing.

While there’s certainly a reason to maintain caution until the release of new economic data and the United States Federal Reserve meeting in March, some indicators suggest that the worst could still be over in terms of new market lows.

Inflation remains sticky

The biggest worries of the current bear cycle, which began in 2022, have been decade-high inflation. In January, the Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) level came in hotter than expected, with a 0.2% increase versus the previous month.

There are some additional signs that inflation may remain sticky. The housing sector inflation, which commands more than 40% of the weightage in CPI calculation, has shown no sign of a downturn.

Bitcoin (BTC) traded around $22,400 at the March 3 Wall Street open as analysts remained divided over the odds of a recovery.

Hopes for an inverse “Bart Simpson” on BTC

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD trading flat after an earlier flash crash saw $1,000 shaved off in minutes.

As Cointelegraph reported, concerns over the fate of Silvergate Bank exacerbated existing market cold feet to spark a margin call cascade to $22,000.

At the time of writing, only a modest comeback had taken place, while opinions diverged as to how short-term price action would play out. 

“Locked in some profit here on my short at $23,200 and moved my stop loss into profit so it’s risk free,” a risk-off Crypto Tony told Twitter followers.