Fidelity, a leading asset management firm, predicts that a substantial portion of Bitcoin's supply could become illiquid by 2032. This projection, based on current buying trends and holder behavior, suggests that approximately 42% of the total Bitcoin supply, equating to 8.3 million BTC, may be held by entities unlikely to sell in the short term.
Key Takeaways
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Fidelity estimates 8.3 million Bitcoin (42% of supply) could be illiquid by 2032.
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Illiquid supply is defined by long-term holders and large corporate treasuries.
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Reduced available supply could positively impact Bitcoin's price.
Defining Illiquid Supply
Fidelity's analysis identifies two primary groups contributing to Bitcoin's illiquid supply: long-term holders and publicly traded companies holding significant amounts of Bitcoin. Long-term holders are defined as those who have not moved their Bitcoin from their wallets for at least seven years. These holders have consistently increased their holdings since 2016. The second group comprises publicly traded companies with at least 1,000 Bitcoin in their reserves. This cohort has also demonstrated a strong tendency to hold onto their Bitcoin, with only a minor decrease observed in the second quarter of 2022.
Projections for 2032
Based on these trends, Fidelity projects that by the second quarter of 2032, approximately 8.3 million Bitcoin will be considered illiquid. This figure assumes that long-term holders will continue to accumulate Bitcoin at the same pace observed over the past decade, and it does not account for potential future increases in Bitcoin holdings by publicly traded companies. Currently, there are over 105 publicly traded companies holding more than 969,000 BTC, representing about 4.61% of the total Bitcoin supply.
Market Implications
The increasing illiquid supply suggests a reduction in the amount of Bitcoin available on the open market. This scarcity could potentially lead to upward pressure on Bitcoin's price. However, the report also acknowledges the potential impact of large holders, often referred to as "whales," deciding to sell their significant Bitcoin reserves. Recent data indicates that whales have sold approximately $12.7 billion worth of Bitcoin in the past 30 days, coinciding with a slight price decrease.
Sources
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