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Bitcoin ETFs are one of the hottest topics in the crypto space right now. These are exchange-traded funds that track the price of Bitcoin (BTC) and allow investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency without having to buy or store it directly.
Bitcoin ETFs are seen as a way to bring more legitimacy, liquidity, and institutional adoption to the crypto market and lower the barriers of entry for retail investors.
However, Bitcoin ETFs are not yet approved in the U.S., the world’s largest and most influential financial market.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been reluctant to give the green light to any of the dozens of applications that have been filed over the years, citing concerns over market manipulation, investor protection, and regulatory oversight.
The signs are the first batch of Bitcoin ETF proposals are likely to get approval as early as this week, which include ETFs from BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale.
READ MORE: Who Owns the Most BlackRock Stock?
The anticipation and speculation around the possible approval of Bitcoin ETFs have created a lot of hype and volatility in the crypto market, especially for Bitcoin, which surged past $47,000 in the last day.
Many analysts and investors believe that the approval of Bitcoin ETFs could trigger a massive rally for the cryptocurrency, as it would attract billions of dollars of inflows from institutional and retail investors looking for a regulated and convenient way to access the crypto space.
READ MORE: Crypto Headlines of the Week: All Eyes on Spot Bitcoin ETFs
But how can crypto traders profit off this hype? What are the best trading strategies and focus to adopt in this scenario? In this article, I will explore some of the options and considerations that crypto traders should keep in mind when dealing with the Bitcoin ETF hype.
Strategy #1: Buy the Rumor, Sell the News
One of the most common and simple trading strategies that can be applied to the Bitcoin ETF hype is to buy the rumor and sell the news.
This means that traders should buy Bitcoin when there is positive speculation and anticipation about the approval of Bitcoin ETFs and sell it when the actual news or decision is announced.
This strategy is based on the assumption that the market tends to price in the expected outcome of an event before it happens and that the actual outcome may not live up to the hype or may already be reflected in the price. Therefore, traders can take advantage of the price movements that are driven by the market sentiment and expectations rather than by the fundamental facts.
For example, if the market expects that the SEC will approve a Bitcoin ETF, the price of Bitcoin may rise in anticipation of this event, as more investors buy Bitcoin in hopes of benefiting from the increased demand and exposure that an ETF would bring.
However, when the SEC actually announces its decision, the price of Bitcoin may drop, as some investors may sell their Bitcoin to lock in profits, or as the market may realize that the approval of a Bitcoin ETF is not as bullish or impactful as expected.
Conversely, if the market expects that the SEC will reject a Bitcoin ETF, the price of Bitcoin may fall in anticipation of this event, as more investors sell in fear of losing value or missing out on other opportunities.
However, when the SEC actually announces its decision, the price of Bitcoin may rise, as some investors may buy back at a lower price or as the market may realize that the rejection of an ETF is not as bearish or detrimental as expected.
Therefore, traders who follow this strategy should monitor the market sentiment and expectations around the Bitcoin ETF approval and buy or sell Bitcoin accordingly before the actual news or decision is announced. They should also set a clear exit plan and take profit or stop loss targets, as the Bitcoin price may reverse quickly after the news or decision is announced.
Strategy #2: Trade the Breakouts and Pullbacks
Another trading strategy that can be applied to the Bitcoin ETF hype is to trade the breakouts and pullbacks. This means that traders should buy or sell Bitcoin when it breaks out of a certain price range or level and when it pulls back to retest that range or level.
This strategy is based on the assumption that the market tends to move in trends and that the breakouts and pullbacks are signals of the strength and direction of the trend. Therefore, traders can take advantage of the price movements that are driven by the momentum and trend-following behavior of the market.
For example, if the price of Bitcoin is trading in a sideways range and it breaks out of the upper boundary of the range, this may indicate that the market is bullish and that a new uptrend has started. Traders who follow this strategy should buy Bitcoin when it breaks out of the range and set a stop loss below the range.
They should also look for a pullback to the upper boundary of the range, which may act as a support level, and buy more Bitcoin when it bounces off that level.
Conversely, if the price of Bitcoin is trading in a sideways range and it breaks out of the lower boundary of the range, this may indicate that the market is bearish and that a new downtrend has started.
Traders who follow this strategy should sell Bitcoin when it breaks out of the range and set a stop loss above the range. They should also look for a pullback to the lower boundary of the range, which may act as a resistance level, and sell more Bitcoin when it rejects that level.
Therefore, traders who follow this strategy should monitor the price action and trend of Bitcoin and buy or sell accordingly when it breaks out or pulls back to a certain price range or level.
They should also use technical indicators, such as moving averages, trend lines, and Fibonacci retracements, to identify the potential breakout and pullback levels and to confirm the direction and strength of the trend.
READ MORE: What is the Fibonacci System of Trading?
Strategy #3: Hedge with Bitcoin Futures and Options
A third trading strategy that can be applied to the Bitcoin ETF hype is to hedge with Bitcoin futures and options. This means that traders should use Bitcoin derivatives, such as futures and options contracts, to reduce their risk and exposure to the price fluctuations of Bitcoin.
This strategy is based on the assumption that the market is uncertain and volatile and that the outcome of the ETF approval is unpredictable and impactful.
Therefore, traders can use Bitcoin derivatives to protect their existing positions or to speculate on the price movements of Bitcoin without having to buy or sell the underlying asset.
For example, if a trader is holding a long position in Bitcoin and expects that the SEC will approve a Bitcoin ETF but is not sure when or how the market will react, the trader can hedge their position by buying a put option on Bitcoin.
A put option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to sell the underlying asset at a specified price and time. By buying a put option, the trader can lock in a minimum selling price for their Bitcoin in case the price drops after the approval of the ETF.
The trader can also profit from the put option if the price of Bitcoin falls below the strike price of the option minus the premium paid for the option.
Conversely, if a trader is holding a short position in Bitcoin and expects that the SEC will reject a Bitcoin ETF but is not sure when or how the market will react, the trader can hedge their position by buying a call option on Bitcoin.
A call option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy the underlying asset at a specified price and time. By buying a call option, the trader can lock in a maximum buying price for their Bitcoin if the price rises after the Bitcoin ETF is rejected. The trader can also profit from the call option if the price of Bitcoin rises above the strike price of the option plus the premium paid for the option.
Therefore, traders who follow this strategy should use Bitcoin derivatives to hedge their positions or to speculate on the price movements, depending on their expectations and risk appetite.
They should also understand the mechanics and risks of Bitcoin derivatives, such as leverage, margin, expiration, and liquidity, and choose the appropriate contract type, size, and duration for their trading objectives.
Focus: Short-Term Profits or Long-Term Position?
The final question that crypto traders should ask themselves when dealing with the Bitcoin ETF hype is whether they should focus on short-term profits or long-term position.
This depends on their trading style, goals, and risk tolerance, as well as on their view and outlook on the crypto market and the Bitcoin ETF approval.
Traders who are looking for short-term profits should focus on capturing the price movements and volatility that are generated by the Bitcoin ETF hype and use strategies such as buying the rumor and selling the news or trading the breakouts and pullbacks.
These traders should be agile and flexible and be ready to enter and exit the market quickly and frequently, as the market conditions and sentiment may change rapidly and unpredictably. These traders should also use technical analysis, indicators, and tools to identify the entry and exit points and manage their risk and reward.
READ MORE: Mastering Crypto Market Volatility
Traders who are looking for a long-term position should focus on building and holding their exposure to Bitcoin and use strategies such as hedging with futures and options or dollar-cost averaging.
These traders should be patient and disciplined, and be ready to withstand the price fluctuations and volatility that are inherent to the crypto market and use fundamental analysis, research, and news to support their view and outlook. These traders should also use risk management techniques, such as diversification, portfolio rebalancing, and stop loss orders, to protect their capital and profits.
The Bottom Line
The Bitcoin ETF hype is a major catalyst and driver for the crypto market, and it offers many opportunities and challenges for crypto traders.?
Depending on their expectations, objectives, and risk appetite, crypto traders can use different strategies and focus to profit off the Bitcoin ETF hype, such as buying the rumor and selling the news, trading the breakouts and pullbacks, or hedging with Bitcoin futures and options.
However, crypto traders should also be aware of the uncertainty and volatility that surround the Bitcoin ETF approval and be prepared for any possible outcome and scenario.?
We will end this article with an important reminder that a trading strategy or a cryptocurrency’s past performance does not guarantee future returns.
With this in mind, we urge readers to do their own research (DYOR) and to be mindful of fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) when investing in cryptocurrencies. Remember, cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and considered risky investments.
This article should not be considered investment advice and is for information purposes only.
