A decade after the collapse of Mt. Gox, creditors have finally started receiving their Bitcoin (BTC) repayments, facilitated by the US-based exchange Kraken.
This has raised concerns about the possible market impact, as an influx of BTC might increase selling pressure and drive down prices.
Interestingly, many of these creditors are choosing to hold onto their Bitcoin, reflecting a positive long-term outlook for the cryptocurrency. Despite this, data from Arkham Intelligence reveals that Mt. Gox still holds over 80,000 BTC, valued at approximately $5.37 billion, which could still affect the market if released in large quantities.
Arkham’s records show a reduction in Mt. Gox’s Bitcoin reserves from 142,000 BTC to 80,000 BTC in a few weeks, indicating significant distribution to creditors. While some have sold their Bitcoin, contributing to market volatility, others are retaining their assets, showing confidence in Bitcoin’s future potential.
The market initially reacted strongly, with Bitcoin’s price dipping below $54,000, influenced by both the anticipated selloffs and other market factors like the sale of seized Bitcoins by the German State of Saxony. However, the situation has since stabilized.
Ongoing repayments have been managed well, preventing major price drops. For instance, recent transactions to Bitstamp haven’t significantly increased Kraken’s trading volumes, suggesting controlled selling pressure. Bitcoin’s price has even risen by 5% to $67,085 in the past 24 hours. As the repayment process continues, the market will be closely monitoring Bitcoin’s response.
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