First Mover Asia: Crypto concerns weigh on Taiwan PC component makers' stocks

Bitcoin springs to 3-month high

Good morning. Here‘s what’s happening:

Prices: Bitcoin soars to three-month high; other major cryptos also gain.

Insights: With Ethereum's transition to proof-of-stake and a decline in pricing for graphics cards, the share prices of major manufacturers of PC components have fallen.

Technician's take: Seasonal strength could keep buyers active within BTC's year-long price range.

Prices

Bitcoin (BTC): $46,690 +5.1%

Ether (ETH): $3,271 +4.3%

Top Gainers

Asset Ticker Returns Sector

Filecoin FIL +18.6% Computing

Internet Computer ICP +12.0% Computing

Stellar XLM +6.8% Smart Contract Platform

Top Losers

Asset Ticker Returns Sector

Ethereum Classic ETC −0.3% Smart Contract Platform

Bitcoin soars past $46.8K

A Bitcoin spring was in the air on Sunday.

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization shot past $46,800 at one point, rising over 4% over one two-hour period to reach a three-month high. Bitcoin has gained over 12% since last Sunday after climbing six consecutive days, although it remains off its $47,200 starting point in 2022.

Ether and most other major cryptos were also blooming. The second largest crypto by market cap followed a similar pattern to bitcoin on Sunday and was changing hands at over $3,270, its highest level since early February. Solana, Cardano and Avalanche, among other altcoins were well into the green. Popular meme coins for Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, were up about 6% and 3.4%, respectively.

Trading was accelerating after weeks of low volumes.

“Trading volumes are up as buyers try to turn this resistance line into support and take further steps up in pricing,” Joe DiPasquale, the CEO of fund manager BitBull Capital, wrote to CoinDesk, but added: “If we don't remain above this line, we will consolidate lower than here.”

DiPasquale said that Bitcoin had had “a strong week, especially given the quarterly options expiry” on Friday and noted that Bitcoin had “shown resilience” following the Federal Reserve's decision last week to raise interest rates and the continued escalation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine with its economic fallout.

But he was also cautious in his appraisal of the coming days. “While market participants are starting to get bullish and the fear and greed index is at neutral, BTC bulls will want to see the price consolidating above $46,000 for further continuation,” he said. “The coming week is also important as it marks the end of the quarter and we could see increased volatility after that.”