VanEck April 2024 Bitcoin ChainCheck
May 02, 2024
Read Time 6 MIN
Please note that VanEck has exposure to bitcoin.
In our April 2024 Bitcoin ChainCheck, we analyze the shifts occurring after the April 19 halving. We're beginning to observe key metrics that highlight the resilience and evolving dynamics of the Bitcoin blockchain.
- Bitcoin’s Price Action
- Bitcoin’s Network Activity, Adoption, and Fees
- Bitcoin Market Health and Profitability
- Bitcoin Miners
- Bitcoin ChainCheck Monthly Dashboard
Some takeaways for April 2024:
Bitcoin’s Price Action
- Market sentiment: The immediate aftermath of the bitcoin halving has seen a slight dip in price by 2% over the last 30 days, settling at $66,472. Despite this short-term pullback, the year-over-year increase stands at an impressive 130%.
- Regional trading: Post-halving adjustments have brought distinct changes in regional market behaviors:
- Asia hours: Prices dipped by 7% month-over-month, showing market caution in Asian trading sessions. Let’s see if the new Hong Kong spot bitcoin and ethereum ETFs reverse this trend.
- Unlike Asia, U.S. trading hours saw a 4% increase, indicating stronger confidence or possible accumulation phases during these hours.
- EU hours: European trading showed modest growth with a 1% increase, reflecting steady but cautious participation.
| MoM Change (%) | YoY Change (%) | |
| Asia Hours Price Change MoM ($) | -7% | 19% |
| U.S. hours Price Change | 4% | 56% |
| EU hours Price Change | 1% | 35% |
Source: Glassnode, as of 4/28/24. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- Funding rates: The annualized cost to roll Bitcoin Futures decreased 31% to 15%, indicating a significant reduction in market leverage and bullish sentiment post-halving.
Bitcoin’s Network Activity, Adoption, and Fees
- Daily transactions: Transaction count surged by 27% this month, a robust rebound that puts the heightened network usage post-halving in the 97th percentile of all-time activity.
- Ordinal inscriptions: Post-halving adjustments saw a sharp 60% decrease in daily inscriptions, landing in the 30th percentile historically. This significant reduction may reflect a shift in priorities or valuation of Ordinals after the release of "Runes,” a new fungible token protocol recently launched on the Bitcoin blockchain. Unlike Ordinals, which inscribe unique data onto individual Satoshis creating NFTs, Runes utilize the existing UTXO model to issue fungible tokens with minimal blockchain impact. This could explain why the drop in inscriptions hasn't captured any growth from Runes, as they fundamentally differ in their blockchain usage and purpose. Despite Runes’ minimal impact on data load, their transactions still accrue fees, contributing to the high transaction fees observed this month. Runes, focusing on fungibility, offer streamlined integration with Bitcoin's infrastructure, potentially setting a new direction for token usage on the network. However, it's important to note that despite the robust monthly averages for transaction fees, we observed a significant decline in these fees at the end of the month, indicating a possible easing of network congestion.
- Total transfer volume: Despite a 26% month-over-month decrease, the $51.16 billion transferred across the Bitcoin network keeps it in the 87th percentile for historical activity. This indicates the enduring use of Bitcoin for value transfers amidst broader market adjustments.
- Average transaction fees: With the increase in network activity, average transaction fees in USD soared by 126%, reaching an average of $16.77. This uptick places the current fee structure in the 95th percentile historically, reflecting the higher cost of transacting on an increasingly busy network.
Bitcoin Market Health and Profitability
- Percent of addresses in profit: 94% of Bitcoin addresses remain in profit despite a slight decline of 4% over the month. We have noted before that when this figure hits 100%, as it did in March, Bitcoin tends to make repeated all-time highs over the subsequent year, albeit with a frequent 20% corrections.
- Net unrealized profit/loss: The unrealized profit/loss ratio is 0.58, indicating a healthy but not overly euphoric market sentiment.
Bitcoin Miners
- Total daily BTC miner revenues: Miners' daily revenues slightly declined by 5% to $61.9 million but remain extraordinarily high historically in the 99th percentile, thanks to the elevated Bitcoin prices and transaction fees.
Chart of the Month: BTC 30-Day Average Fees (USD)
Source: Glassnode, VanEck research as of 4/28/24. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
| Bitcoin ChainCheck Monthly Dashboard as of April 28th, 2024 | ||||
| 30-day avg | 30 day change | 365 day change | Last 30 days Percentile vs all-time history | |
| Bitcoin Price | $66,472 | -2% | 130% | 99% |
| Daily Active Addresses | 821,239 | -13% | -16% | 75% |
| Daily New Addresses | 357,935 | -11% | -21% | 70% |
| Daily Transactions | 479,308 | 27% | 34% | 97% |
| Daily Inscriptions | 40,860 | -60% | -40% | 30% |
| Total Transfer Volume (USD) | $51,160,414,411 | -26% | 113% | 87% |
| % Supply Active, last 180 days | 23% | 20% | 7% | 27% |
| % Supply Active, last 3+ years | 45% | 0% | 14% | 100% |
| Avg Fees (USD) | $16.77 | 126% | 672% | 95% |
| Avg Fees (BTC) | 0.00026 | 132% | 241% | 50% |
| Percent of BTC Addresses in profit | 94% | -4% | 29% | 82% |
| Unrealized profit/loss ratio | 0.58 | -6% | 76% | 80% |
| Global Power Consumption (TWh) | 121 | 5% | 82% | 100% |
| Total Daily BTC Miner Revenues (USD) | $61,908,771 | -5% | 132% | 99% |
| Total Crypto Equities' Market Cap (USD) (MM) | $150,739 | 17% | 156% | 96% |
| Transfer volume from Miners to Exchanges (USD) | $4,174,007 | -27% | 23% | 84% |
| Bitcoin Dominance | 53% | 2.15% | 15% | 78% |
| Bitcoin Futures Annualized Basis | 15% | -31% | 310% | 77% |
Source: Glassnode, VanEck research as of 4/28/24. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Notes:
Net unrealized profit/loss ratio (NUPL) can be calculated by subtracting the realized market cap from the market cap and dividing the result by the market cap. When a high percentage of Bitcoin’s market cap consists of unrealized profits, it can be interpreted that investors are greedy. Background reading here.
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DISCLOSURES
Coin Definitions
Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries.
Risk Considerations
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
Index performance is not representative of fund performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The information, valuation scenarios and price targets presented on any digital assets in this commentary are not intended as financial advice, a recommendation to buy or sell these digital assets, or any call to action. There may be risks or other factors not accounted for in these scenarios that may impede the performance these digital assets; their actual future performance is unknown, and may differ significantly from any valuation scenarios or projections/forecasts herein. Any projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements included herein are the results of a simulation based on our research, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice, and are for illustrative purposes only. Please conduct your own research and draw your own conclusions.
Investments in digital assets and Web3 companies are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk. These risks include, but are not limited to: the technology is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; volatility and limited liquidity, including but not limited to, inability to liquidate a position; loss or destruction of key(s) to access accounts or the blockchain; reliance on digital wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Moreover, the extent to which Web3 companies or digital assets utilize blockchain technology may vary, and it is possible that even widespread adoption of blockchain technology may not result in a material increase in the value of such companies or digital assets.
Digital asset prices are highly volatile, and the value of digital assets, and Web3 companies, can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. If their value goes down, there’s no guarantee that it will rise again. As a result, there is a significant risk of loss of your entire principal investment.
Digital assets are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank and are not covered by FDIC or SIPC insurance. Accounts at digital asset custodians and exchanges are not protected by SPIC and are not FDIC insured. Furthermore, markets and exchanges for digital assets are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in traditional equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing.
Digital assets include, but are not limited to, cryptocurrencies, tokens, NFTs, assets stored or created using blockchain technology, and other Web3 products.
Web3 companies include but are not limited to, companies that involve the development, innovation, and/or utilization of blockchain, digital assets, or crypto technologies.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
© Van Eck Associates Corporation.
DISCLOSURES
Coin Definitions
Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries.
Risk Considerations
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
Index performance is not representative of fund performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The information, valuation scenarios and price targets presented on any digital assets in this commentary are not intended as financial advice, a recommendation to buy or sell these digital assets, or any call to action. There may be risks or other factors not accounted for in these scenarios that may impede the performance these digital assets; their actual future performance is unknown, and may differ significantly from any valuation scenarios or projections/forecasts herein. Any projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements included herein are the results of a simulation based on our research, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice, and are for illustrative purposes only. Please conduct your own research and draw your own conclusions.
Investments in digital assets and Web3 companies are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk. These risks include, but are not limited to: the technology is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; volatility and limited liquidity, including but not limited to, inability to liquidate a position; loss or destruction of key(s) to access accounts or the blockchain; reliance on digital wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Moreover, the extent to which Web3 companies or digital assets utilize blockchain technology may vary, and it is possible that even widespread adoption of blockchain technology may not result in a material increase in the value of such companies or digital assets.
Digital asset prices are highly volatile, and the value of digital assets, and Web3 companies, can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. If their value goes down, there’s no guarantee that it will rise again. As a result, there is a significant risk of loss of your entire principal investment.
Digital assets are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank and are not covered by FDIC or SIPC insurance. Accounts at digital asset custodians and exchanges are not protected by SPIC and are not FDIC insured. Furthermore, markets and exchanges for digital assets are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in traditional equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing.
Digital assets include, but are not limited to, cryptocurrencies, tokens, NFTs, assets stored or created using blockchain technology, and other Web3 products.
Web3 companies include but are not limited to, companies that involve the development, innovation, and/or utilization of blockchain, digital assets, or crypto technologies.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
© Van Eck Associates Corporation.