Bitcoin attempts higher high as mainland China draws closer to Hong Kong BTC ETF

Bitcoin (BTC) price action in the lower timeframes shows a burgeoing strength, kicking off in the early Asian session. It comes following revelations that Mainland China is drawing closer to Hong Kong BTC ETFs. 

Also Read: Week Ahead: Crypto market eyes a bullish turnaround

Daily digest market mover: Mainland China draws closer to Hong Kong BTC ETF

The Asian session was good for the Bitcoin price on Monday, mostly attributed to the ongoing hype about the Hong Kong exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While the Chinese government prohibits sale of virtual asset-related products to mainland Chinese, a report on the South China Morning Post indicates that Mainland China managed 50% attendance at Hong Kong’s Bitcoin Asia conference.  

Pointing to growing interest from mainland China, it fires speculation that trade agreements between China and Hong Kong could allow mainland investors to access spot BTC ETFs in Hong Kong. Given mainland China has been the biggest buyer of Hong Kong ETFs in the past three years, this is a significant move.

Besides Asia, the BTC ETF narrative continues to shape and accelerate markets in the US as well. Recent findings indicate:

• Switzerland’s largest bank, UBS, owns 3,600 shares in the BlackRock ETF, filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) show.
• Boston-based Bracebridge Capital has reported owning $433 million worth of Bitcoin through ETFs.
• Bank of Montreal discloses spot BTC ETF holdings in new SEC filing.

As institutional players start to build positions in Bitcoin through the ETF, it suggests the next phase of adoption is underway, where both institutions and governments venture in. The El Salvadorian market is way ahead in this endeavor, launching a website to monitor their national Bitcoin treasury.

Elsewhere, funding rates continue to flash neutral, which points to a healthier market. Funding rates are the mechanism used in perpetual futures contracts to ensure that the contract price remains in line with the spot price of the underlying asset. These rates are essentially a way to balance out the trading positions between long and short traders.

Funding rate heat map

Technical analysis: Bitcoin attempts change in market structure

Bitcoin price is attempting a change in market structure after breaking above resistance due to a critical trendline. This trendline connects lower highs since April 8. With another trendline providing support since the early May bottom of $56,552, BTC could have a bullish turnaround in the works.

A break above $63,354, the previous lower high, would be a sign of strength, but $65,500 would be a better deal and could attract more bulls. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is also climbing, pointing to growing buying strength. The Awesome Oscillator (AO) has also flipped positive after maintaining green bars, indicating burgeoning bullish sentiment.

In a highly bullish case where Bitcoin price takes back the $70,000 psychological level, it would make for a change in market structure. This would potentially lead to a move toward range highs at $72,797 again. Beyond this level, BTC could recapture the $73,777 all-time high and possibly set a new peak.

BTC/USDT 4-hour chart

However, analysts warn that Bitcoin price could trigger ‘panic selling’ if it falls below $60,000. Traders must, therefore, defend the $60,630 level, below which the cliff could see BTC roll over to the depths of $57,500.