Published on: 29/03/2024
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts might be wondering if BNBs recent 12% weekly surge indicates a peak in value or if it is just getting started, given the recent on-chain and derivatives metrics hinting positively towards the latter. However, the latest developments in the marketplace suggest a more complex picture.
The BNB coin had recorded a 12% rise in value over the seven days leading up to March 29, hitting a near two-week high of $620. This run narrowed the valuation gap with one of its main rivals, Ether, which logged a 5% gain in the same period. However, mixed signals from on-chain data indicate that the run-up could be overextended.
One interesting aspect of this surge is the effect of the inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the impact these have had on BNBs price. The crypto market’s upward trajectory is closely associated with inflows into these ETFs, which experienced a dramatic reversal during the week ending on March 23 when these financial instruments recorded a net outflow for the first time since their introduction in January. They saw a considerable net outflow of $890 million. This was a stark contrast to the previous inflows and obviously has implications for coins like BNB.
Its also valuable to examine the effect of BNBs price on its total value locked (TVL) in the BNB Chain, which represents total deposits in the network’s smart contracts. There was a substantial drop from a peak of $15.7 billion to $7.1 billion. This 55% decline corresponds to a contraction within the overall crypto market and signals a potential issue to monitor closely in the DeFi space. For instance, the total market data for all blockchains tracked by DefiLlama fell by 25%.
However, despite the contraction in the DeFi sector, BNB Chains activity looks promising. In the past week alone, nearly two million active addresses were transacting with DApps on the BNB Chain. This activity level is comparable to some of Ethereum’s most active layer-2 networks. Further to this, when it comes to seven-day trading volume, BNB Chain stands out, coming in strong at $12.4 billion, with an 11% increase.
One important metric to consider while predicting future trends in the cryptocurrency sector is the demand for leverage in BNB perpetual futures contracts. A positive funding rate indicates a bullish sentiment among traders, amplifying their long positions. This rate over the past week has held steady at 0.03%, suggesting that despite BNB’s price struggle at the $620 level, market sentiment remains optimistic.
Therefore, while the BNB surge might be facing challenges stemming from broad market uncertainties, the coin seems resilient. It is riding on its robust platform activity and the buoyant mood among futures traders. Thus, if the overall conditions in the crypto market improve or become more predictable, BNB might be well-placed to ride the wave.
However, investors must tread cautiously and conduct thorough research, given the unpredictable nature of the cryptocurrency market. After all, these trends should not be the sole basis for investment decisions, and everyone should conduct thorough analysis and consult with trusted financial advisors before making serious commitments.