I remember back when Israel went into Gaza, and markets took a hit, bitcoin was down notably and many tradfi macro folks who I otherwise respect for good market analysis were like “Why is bitcoin down today? I thought it’s a safe haven, lol.” Similarly, today when bitcoin is up amid market turmoil, the bitcoin bulls celebrate it. I’d be cautious about all one-day moves. If you over-emphasize them, you risk looking like someone with a memory of a goldfish, or otherwise operating with selection bias. However, a point I have made in the past, and will repeat today, is that there are different types of risk-off events. A risk-off event that hurts liquidity is likely to hurt bitcoin. A risk-off event that demands more liquidity, or that is unrelated to liquidity (eg tariffs attacking corporate margins), is more likely to benefit or at least kind of spare Bitcoin. Focusing on Bitcoin as a risk on or risk off asset is first level thinking. People who understand it deeply and self custody it tend to view it as risk off period, for good reason. But not always in terms of price. In terms of price, whether it functions as a risk on/off asset varies based on what type of risk on/off catalyst it was. This catalyst risks hitting margins, not liquidity, and thus so far the reaction makes sense. But it still pays to be careful not to celebrate one-day moves too much. Cautiously bullish.

Replies (29)

the uncomfortable truth is no particular economic accidents change any of the principles in play. to even be proven “correct” about this particular outcome vs another particular outcome is an admission of failing to grasp the gravity of what’s going on
Placing any emphasis on Bitcoin movements within a one-day lens is always risky. However, most recently the decoupling from stocks as well as the rise in gold have been somewhat interesting. But I agree, the type of risk is key. To me, it’s largely uncertainty at the moment within tradfi while STILL missing the actual point of Bitcoin.
Christopher's avatar
Christopher 9 months ago
Well said. The excited expectation now is that Bitcoin has made its base, but the reality in the charts states that the odds favour that Bitcoin is likely to drop further before forming its final base, and with liquidity drying up it makes that move even easier. Nice post 👍
Filter out the noise and just buy a little every day. But mind your UTXOs.
Moss + 🍿 is such a good image 😆 Similarly, “the memory of a goldfish” never gets old. It always sounds hilarious.
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Clarity 9 months ago
Appreciate your thoughtful analysis Lyn
I’m hoping that all the other countries besides the US start to, or continue to expand on what they do with Bitcoin. Since Trump is drawing attention to two things in a really big way - 1) A country’s leader can do/say really bizarre things, and 2) various big problems involving money So, Bitcoin. Then if the other countries continue to expand on how Bitcoin is used, it’ll continue to be stable / rally, which will benefit everyone no matter which country they’re in.
I just think the bears ran out of money for short fees. Would be impressive if it sticks the landing and facefucks tradfi image
BDC's avatar
BDC 9 months ago
One day does not a trend make
McG's avatar
McG 9 months ago
💯 agree. I don’t like to focus on the fiat price too much but past events where btc sold off tended to be when tradfi markets were closed and it was the only liquid asset that could be sold. This one might be higher signal in terms of risk off because it was mid week during trading hours and investors/managers had the choice to sell anything in their portfolio.
Great reminder @Lyn Alden . Saying we have a low time preference and watching daily price moves [no matter the direction] are the definition of high time preference. IMO, the only "chart" worth watching when you view bitcoin as savings is the 50 week moving average. :)
100%
Lyn Alden's avatar Lyn Alden
I remember back when Israel went into Gaza, and markets took a hit, bitcoin was down notably and many tradfi macro folks who I otherwise respect for good market analysis were like “Why is bitcoin down today? I thought it’s a safe haven, lol.” Similarly, today when bitcoin is up amid market turmoil, the bitcoin bulls celebrate it. I’d be cautious about all one-day moves. If you over-emphasize them, you risk looking like someone with a memory of a goldfish, or otherwise operating with selection bias. However, a point I have made in the past, and will repeat today, is that there are different types of risk-off events. A risk-off event that hurts liquidity is likely to hurt bitcoin. A risk-off event that demands more liquidity, or that is unrelated to liquidity (eg tariffs attacking corporate margins), is more likely to benefit or at least kind of spare Bitcoin. Focusing on Bitcoin as a risk on or risk off asset is first level thinking. People who understand it deeply and self custody it tend to view it as risk off period, for good reason. But not always in terms of price. In terms of price, whether it functions as a risk on/off asset varies based on what type of risk on/off catalyst it was. This catalyst risks hitting margins, not liquidity, and thus so far the reaction makes sense. But it still pays to be careful not to celebrate one-day moves too much. Cautiously bullish.
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It is hard for people to think like they are their own central bank. It’s easy for people from central finance to think of it in day trading terms. It takes someone truly creative to think of it in the terms of freedom.
Kush's avatar
Kush 9 months ago
Thank you. I’m not clear on the meanings of ‘risk on’ or ‘risk off’
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John 9 months ago
Its the market's appetite for risk. In risk on, the market wants more exposure to riskier assets, which pushes up price. With risk off, it's the opposite.
Kush's avatar
Kush 9 months ago
Thanks. Makes it clear. It’s market sentiment akin to fear and greed
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Deleted Account 9 months ago
Remove Israel from existence, and bitcoin will pump to millions , I promise you that
Your outlook is like a breath of fresh air, through all the opinions and biases being thrown everywhere
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