Products
Platforms
Accounts
Inspiration
About
Support
For institutions
Log in Open account
International
CFDs and forex (FX) are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. 
Show more
CFDs and forex (FX) are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs, FX, or any of our other products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Show less
Weekly crypto update

Crypto Update: Delays and declines in ETH

Cryptocurrencies 4 minutes to read
Picture of Jacob Pouncy
Jacob Pouncey

Cryptocurrency analyst, Saxo Bank

Summary:  This week the entire crypto market cap fell by 2% to around $120 billion. Additionally, Bitcoin and Ethereum fell around 2% and 6% respectively. Bitcoin is consolidating between $3.5k and $3.8k

Ethereum update

Last week, we reported that the Ethereum hardfork had been delayed with no new date set. During the developers call last Friday the leading developers decided to reschedule the hardfork for 27 February 2019. This hardfork would reduce the amount of ether per block from 3 to 2, which would reduce the number of newly minted ether created, lowering the interest rate. Despite the delay and the price decline, the Ethereum network has continued to process a record number of transactions. The institutional research firm Diar reported that in December Ethereum processed over 115 million ether on-chain. This highlights that even though price is down over 90% from the peak, transaction volume has been increasing over the past three months.

Markets bolstered by new supply

Over $15 billion in new cryptocurrency supply has been added to the crypto market cap over the course of 2018, which is roughly 12% of the total market cap. Almost a third of the increase in value is attributed to completely new projects that have entered the market. However, market cap is not necessary a proxy for the health of the blockchain ecosystem. 
supply
Source: Saxo Bank
Bithumb to go public in US

One of the world's largest exchanges by volume is planning to go public in the US via a reverse takeover. The newly named Blockchain Exchange Alliance plans to bring the Bithumb exchange public by acquiring the holding company, Blockchain Industries, which trades on the public US over-the-counter markets. This would allow the Blockchain Exchange Alliance to list publicly in the US without the hassle of an IPO. The firm plans to acquire more exchanges under the new ticker. However, Bithumb has been accused of faking its volume. A recent report highlights that the exchange has the second highest volume but ranks ninth in order book depth.
Bitcoin chart

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Upending the global order at blinding speed

    Quarterly Outlook

    Upending the global order at blinding speed

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    We are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime shredding of the global order. As the new order takes shape, ...
    Read full article
  • Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Read full article
  • Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Quarterly Outlook

    Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Jacob Falkencrone

    Global Head of Investment Strategy

    Read full article
  • Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Read full article
  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    Read full article
  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Read full article
  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Read full article
  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Read full article
  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    Read full article
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Read full article

Content disclaimer

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Bank A/S and its entities within the Saxo Bank Group provide execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer and notification on non-independent investment research for more details.

Saxo Bank A/S (Headquarters)
Philip Heymans Alle 15
2900 Hellerup
Denmark

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International
Pricing
Account types
About Saxo
Legal

All trading and investing comes with risk, including but not limited to the potential to lose your entire invested amount.

Information on our international website (as selected from the globe drop-down) can be accessed worldwide and relates to Saxo Bank A/S as the parent company of the Saxo Bank Group. Any mention of the Saxo Bank Group refers to the overall organisation, including subsidiaries and branches under Saxo Bank A/S. Client agreements are made with the relevant Saxo entity based on your country of residence and are governed by the applicable laws of that entity's jurisdiction.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.