Cryptocurrencies experienced a significant rebound on Wednesday following a recent sell-off, with both bitcoin and ether making remarkable gains. Bitcoin saw a surge of 7.9%, reaching $67,273.54, while ether outperformed with an increase of over 13%, hitting $3,872.56. These price movements came after bitcoin reached a new intraday record on Tuesday at $69,210, its first since November 2021, before taking a dip.
David Wells, CEO of Enclave Markets, characterized the recent sell-off as a bullish sharp correction following an all-time high, reflecting the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market. Traders witnessed short liquidations of $100 million and long liquidations of $236 million on centralized exchanges in the previous 24 hours as market participants adjusted their positions.
Notably, other cryptocurrencies also rebounded alongside bitcoin and ether, with Binance coin surging 12% and dogecoin experiencing an impressive 18% increase. The positive market sentiment extended to crypto-related stocks, with Coinbase and Microstrategy gaining 10% and 18% respectively, and Cipher Mining taking the lead with a staggering 27% surge.
Bitcoin set another milestone as its price reached a new record high of over $70,000 for the first time ever, trading at around $69,304.84 with a 2% increase. At its peak, the price of bitcoin hit $70,170.00, further solidifying its position as a dominant player in the cryptocurrency space. This surge coincided with the introduction of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the US, signaling growing mainstream acceptance of digital assets.
The timing of bitcoin's price increase with the opening of the US stock market and the release of the February jobs report might have influenced investor sentiment towards the digital currency. Despite the record highs, bitcoin trading has been volatile this week, experiencing a significant swing on Tuesday before recovering some losses.
The bitcoin historical volatility index is currently at its highest level in almost a year, highlighting the ongoing turbulence in the market. Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of Nexo, emphasized that navigating old highs in bitcoin prices can be challenging and that volatility is to be expected in this environment.
In light of these developments, investors are seeking advice from seasoned experts such as Warren Buffett and Dan Niles to navigate the unpredictable cryptocurrency landscape. As the market continues to evolve, staying informed and being prepared for fluctuations remain crucial for those involved in the fast-paced world of digital assets.