Why is Bitcoin Price Rising During the Banking Crisis?

Some recent challenges in the banking sector have affected certain countries and regions, featuring low-interest rates, high levels of debt, and regulatory scrutiny. These challenges will require significant attention and resources from policymakers and market participants.

It's difficult to say whether there is a direct connection between the recent closures of Silvergate, Silicon Valley, and Signature Banks and Credit Suisse's troubles. However, these events may be symptoms of broader banking sector challenges.

In the case of Credit Suisse, the bank has been facing many challenges in recent years, including high levels of debt, low profitability, and a series of scandals. In particular, the bank's involvement in the collapse of Archegos Capital Management earlier this year led to significant losses and raised concerns about the bank's risk management practices.

The turmoil of Silvergate, SVB, and Signature Bank in the U.S. is somewhat different from the challenges facing Credit Suisse, as these closures were due to regulatory concerns rather than financial difficulties. However, these events may be related to broader concerns about the stability of the banking sector and the need for increased regulation and oversight.

It isn't easy to draw a direct connection between these events, as they may have different underlying causes and impacts, but let's try our best.

The Banking Crisis of 2023 Hails All The Way From 2019

Let's look deeper to understand the events that led us to this point. Here are a few examples:

1. Evergrande crisis in China: The Evergrande Group, a large Chinese real estate developer, is facing a debt crisis that has raised concerns about the potential spillover effects on China's financial system. The company has an estimated $300 billion in debt, which it has struggled to service due to a slowdown in the Chinese property market. If Evergrande were to default on its debt, it could have ripple effects throughout the Chinese financial system.
2. European banks: Many have struggled with low profitability and high levels of non-performing loans for several years. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, as banks have been forced to set aside large amounts of capital to cover potential loan losses. In addition, low-interest rates have squeezed banks' net interest margins, making it difficult for them to generate profits.
3. Emerging market debt: Many emerging market economies have recently taken on high debt levels, raising concerns about their ability to service that debt during a global economic downturn. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many emerging market economies to experience significant economic contractions, making it even more difficult for them to service their debt.

To sum it up, various factors have contributed to the recent challenges in the banking sector. For example, low-interest rates in many countries have made it difficult for banks to generate profits from traditional lending activities. In addition, high debt levels in many countries and regions have raised concerns about potential defaults or financial instability. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic (remember this one?) has caused significant economic disruption worldwide, further exacerbating existing challenges in the banking sector.

It's important to note that the banking sector's challenges are complex and multifaceted and vary depending on the specific country or region in question.

So Why is Bitcoin On the Rise During the Banking Crisis?

There are several reasons why the price of Bitcoin increased during a global banking crisis. Here are a few possible factors:

1. Lower risk than the banks: It's not a high-risk asset when the other risks are even higher! And currently, the investor community might perceive entrusting their holdings with banks as a risky endeavor.
2. Haven asset: Some have touted Bitcoin as a "digital gold" or a safe haven asset, meaning investors may turn to it during economic uncertainty or market turbulence. During economic uncertainty, investors may diversify their portfolios with assets viewed as safe havens. Traditionally, gold has been the go-to safe haven asset, but some investors have also started to view Bitcoin as digital gold or a hedge against market turbulence. The idea behind this is that Bitcoin's decentralized nature and fixed supply make it less vulnerable to the whims of central banks or governments, which could be appealing to investors during times of crisis. In addition, some investors may view Bitcoin as a more liquid asset than physical gold, as it can be easily bought and sold on cryptocurrency exchanges.
3. Decentralized nature: Bitcoin is a decentralized cryptocurrency, which means it operates independently of any central authority or financial institution. Some investors may view this as a positive attribute, particularly during times of banking crises or financial instability, as it may provide a hedge against centralized financial systems. For example, depositors could lose their funds if a traditional bank fails during a banking crisis. In contrast, Bitcoin is not tied to any specific financial institution or government, so the failure of any one bank does not directly impact its value.
4. Inflation hedge: As central banks worldwide continue to implement aggressive monetary policies such as quantitative easing, some investors may be concerned about the long-term effects of inflation on traditional fiat currencies. Bitcoin's limited supply and fixed issuance rate may be viewed as an inflation hedge, making it an attractive investment option for some during economic uncertainty.
5. Speculation: It's worth noting that the price of Bitcoin is also influenced by speculative activity, which can be difficult to predict or explain. Some investors may buy Bitcoin simply because they believe the price will continue to rise, without necessarily considering the underlying fundamentals or market conditions. Bitcoin's price is subject to supply and demand dynamics, as with any asset. The price will increase if more people want to buy Bitcoin than sell it. Conversely, the price will decrease if more people want to sell Bitcoin than buy it. Speculators who believe that Bitcoin's price will continue to rise may be buying to profit from future price increases, which could also contribute to the current price surge.

Conclusion

It's important to note that the abovementioned factors are not mutually exclusive and that other factors may also be at play. The cryptocurrency market is complex and constantly evolving, and the situation will vary depending on the individual investor and their motivations for investing in cryptocurrencies.