Bitcoin Price Slashed by $3K on Binance as Market Makers Flee USA; What Next?

Bitcoin’s trading value on Binance.US has sparked alarm within the crypto community, standing at $26,970, significantly lower than the global market value of $30,188. This striking difference has been brought to light by Michael Gu, a prominent figure in the crypto space and the face of the crypto-centric YouTube channel Boxmining.

We’re not going to keep you guessing. Let’s dive right in!

What Role Do the Market Makers Play?

Gu’s concerns are deeply rooted in a worrisome trend he has identified, revolving around market makers withdrawing from the US market. These market makers play a vital role in maintaining a healthy level of liquidity, ensuring seamless trading of coins.

The departure of these entities could have implications for hedge funds that have made substantial investments in specific alternative coins, signaling a potential decrease in confidence in the US market.

Market makers perform a crucial task by continuously buying and selling crypto, effectively narrowing the gap between buy and sell orders. This ongoing activity fosters market efficiency and enables investors to execute trades promptly.

Read More: Peter Brandt Calls Binance.US and CZ the Scam of the Decade – Here’s What Happened

Talks of Relocation

However, this equilibrium is now under threat as reports from Bloomberg suggest that two major US market makers, Jane Street and Jump Crypto, are contemplating relocating their operations outside the US. Both firms have historically provided liquidity for major crypto exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken, and Binance US.

The proposed exit of Jane Street and Jump Crypto can be traced back to heightened regulatory scrutiny, especially due to alleged connections to the FTX and Terra Luna Crisis. While neither company plans to abandon the crypto industry entirely, they intend to dial back their operations, specifically in the US.

Uncertainty Looms Over Crypto

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has played a crucial role in shaping this evolving scenario. Despite companies like Coinbase, Ripple, and Binance cooperating with the SEC, they still face accusations of selling unregistered securities. This inconsistent regulatory direction and the resulting uncertainty have created an environment of confusion and mistrust.

The potential exit or downsizing of market makers from the US market carries significant implications. A marked decrease in market liquidity could lead to an increase in price volatility and a decrease in market efficiency.