First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Languishes Below $20K As Energy Crisis in Europe Worsens

• Price Point: Bitcoin remains below the $20,000 threshold and ether ticks up slightly on the day. Gas prices surged and the euro and pound slumped after Russia shut down gas flows through the main Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany. Traditional markets in the U.S. were mostly closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
• Market Moves: Could ether be set for a renewed price rally ahead of the Merge?
• Chart of the Day: Bitcoin’s recent consolidation around $20,000 has taken the shape of a symmetrical triangle.

This article originally appeared in First Mover, CoinDesk’s daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context. Subscribe to get it in your inbox every day.

Price point

Bitcoin (BTC) was trading flat on the day at around $19,700. The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value hit lows of $19,400 over the weekend after witnessing a short uptick on Friday following the U.S. jobs report.

As BTC is trading below the crucial support level of $20,000, a significant break at this point could be really damaging, according to analyst Craig Erlam at OANDA.

“The following key level below here would be the June lows of around $17,500,” said Erlam in a morning markets note. “Considering the outlook for risk appetite in the near term, it’s not looking good.”

Ether (ETH), which has performed slightly better than bitcoin over the last few weeks, was up 1% over the last 24 hours. The network’s much anticipated Merge is just over a week away. For altcoins, Polkadot was up 4% and Chainlink was up 3.7%.

In traditional markets, gas prices surged and the euro and pound slumped after Russia shut down gas flows through the main Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany. The decision has created more uncertainty in Europe going into the winter months. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 1.1%. Traditional markets in the U.S. were mostly closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

In the news, the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) is in discussions with crypto exchange Binance over plans to create a virtual free zone focusing on blockchain and the digital economy.

Unusual blockchain data showed 10,000 BTC, worth more than $200 million, were moved in two transactions in the last week.

And, Poolin, one of the world’s largest bitcoin mining pools, sought to assure users their funds are safe while acknowledging it is facing liquidity problems. Users have been complaining about issues with withdrawals from their wallets since at least August.

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Market Moves

Ether Derivatives Markets Continue to Heat Up Ahead of the Merge

By Omkar Godbole

Ether (ETH), the second largest cryptocurrency by market value, looked set for renewed price rally ahead of the Ethereum «Merge,» according to observers tracking chart patterns.

Last week, the native token of Ethereum’s blockchain broke out of a falling wedge pattern identified by two converging and descending trendlines connecting Aug. 14 and Aug. 25 highs and lows hit on Aug. 10, Aug. 20 and Aug. 28.

«The formation is solid confirmation that ETH could go up in September more than anybody thinks,» Bill Noble, chief technical analyst at cryptocurrency research company Token Metrics told CoinDesk, when asked what the wedge breakout indicates.

Ether’s wedge breakout indicates the correction from the Aug. 14 high of $2,000 has ended and the uptrend from the June 13 low of $1,000 is likely to resume.

• Bitcoin’s recent consolidation around $20,000 has taken the shape of a symmetrical triangle.
• The next move depends on the direction in which the ongoing bull-bear tug of war is resolved.
• A breakdown would open the doors to lows under $18,000 reached in June.

Latest Headlines

• Bitcoin in Accumulation Phase Despite Macro Headwinds, On-Chain Data IndicateThe data suggest the long-term growth outlook for the oldest cryptocurrency remains bullish, analysts said.
• Citi: Ether Extends Rally Ahead of the Merge Despite Bitcoin WeaknessThere are key differences between previous upgrades to the Ethereum blockchain and now, because for the first time, digital assets are facing tightening financial conditions, the bank said.
• Poolin, One of the World’s Biggest Bitcoin Mining Pools, Acknowledges Liquidity IssuesPoolin CEO and founder Kevin Pan assured users that funds are safe and said the company might look to debt to solve its liquidity troubles.
• LG Picks Lesser-Known Hedera Blockchain for Television NFTsThe consumer electronics company, which has served on The Hedera Governing Council since 2020, is bringing NFTs to television screens through a platform built on the Hedera network.

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