empty
29.04.2022 01:05 PM
ECB's Fabio Panetta blasts crypto market's "Wild West"

Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to move sideways after failing to surpass their recent highs, indicating that the two cryptocurrencies could return to their weekly lows and fall even further. Bullish sentiments in the market have decreased.

European Central Bank's Executive Board member Fabio Panetta criticized crypto assets on Monday, comparing the growth of the crypto market to the Gold Rush in the US. Panetta called upon governments to develop new global standards to regulate crypto assets and stop the "lawless frenzy of risk-taking". Furthermore, he spoke in favor of central banks developing CBDCs.

This image is no longer relevant

According to the transcript of Panetta's speech at the ECB's website, titled "For a few cryptos more: the Wild West of crypto finance", the ECB's top manager condemned the rapid development of the crypto market. "Growing distrust of banks, coupled with technological innovation, gave rise to a new dream – a digital gold rush beyond state control," Panetta stated. He warned that the crypto market, which is currently valued at $1.3 trillion, could trigger another financial crisis similar to the crisis of 2008. Furthermore, Panetta compared the digital assets market to a Ponzi scheme. "Crypto evangelists promise heaven on earth, using an illusory narrative of ever-rising crypto-asset prices to maintain inflows and thus the momentum fuelling the crypto bubble. But appearances are deceptive. Satoshi Nakamoto's dream of creating trustworthy money remains just that – a dream", he noted.

Even though increased transaction costs, such as Ethereum gas fees, can make crypto transactions nearly instantaneous, Panetta criticized the transaction time of cryptocurrencies, which could take up to several hours. He also noted the massive price swings of crypto assets, ignoring the fact that over the past month alone, Facebook and the Nasdaq Composite have lost 48% and 12%, respectively, among other equities and indexes.

"A large majority of crypto holders rely on intermediaries, contrary to the avowed philosophy of decentralized finance. Crypto-assets are bringing about instability and insecurity – the exact opposite of what they promised. They are creating a new Wild West," Panetta said. Furthermore, he possibly mixed up Proof-of-work and Proof-of-stake blockchain algorithms, such as Shiba Inu or Ripple.

"We must not repeat the same mistakes by waiting for the bubble to burst, and only then realizing how pervasive crypto risk has become in the financial system", Panetta added, warning governments worldwide that the collapse of the crypto market could cause major damage to society.

On the technical side, BTC continues its downward correction, as falling US stock indexes and growing investor fears are dragging the cryptocurrency down. Bitcoin has failed to break through the 100-day MA line in the $41,000 area. Bullish traders need to steer BTC upwards around the $39,300 area to regain the initiative. This would push bitcoin back towards $40,800, easing investor anxiety to some extent. BTC still has support from major market players, which could soften the blow from quarterly earning reports by US tech companies this week. A slump in the US stock market would sink BTC as well. If bitcoin breaks below $37,700, it could fall towards the lows at $36,000 and $34,300. The furthermost target for bears would be $32,900.

For Ethereum, the resistance level at $3,000 remains a key area. A breakout above the resistance would allow ETH to regain $3,158 and open the way towards $3,306. The 200-day MA at $3,480 would likely serve as a strong obstacle for traders. ETH needs to settle above it in order to reach the highs at $3,540 and $3,685. If bearish pressure resumes, it would send Ethereum towards the major support level of $2,800 - ETH has already tested this level several times recently. A breakout below this level would open the way towards the lows at $2,660 and $2,500, where major market players would come into play once again.

Jakub Novak,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Bitcoin and Ethereum struggling to stay afloat

Bitcoin and Ethereum carry on with their efforts to grow, despite encountering difficulties each time. Nevertheless, the chances of a return to a bullish market remain quite high. After

Jakub Novak 09:32 2025-03-17 UTC+2

Trading Recommendations for the Cryptocurrency Market on March 17

Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to consolidate within their respective channels, allowing for the expectation of a continued bullish market. However, several technical factors must be met for this to happen

Miroslaw Bawulski 08:04 2025-03-17 UTC+2

Another Consolidation Before a Drop

Bitcoin and Ethereum continue their attempts to rise, but each time they face obstacles, suggesting that this is more of a consolidation phase within an ongoing bearish correction rather than

Jakub Novak 12:25 2025-03-14 UTC+2

Trading Recommendations for the Cryptocurrency Market on March 14

Bitcoin and Ethereum are currently consolidating within channels, creating conditions that may lead to further declines. While many experts agree that the lows have already been reached and an unstoppable

Miroslaw Bawulski 08:20 2025-03-14 UTC+2

Technical Analysis of Intraday Price Movement of Uniswap Cryptocurrency, Friday March 14, 2025.

From what is seen on the 4-hour chart of the Uniswap cryptocurrency, although currently still under pressure, is indicated by its price movement moving below the EMA (21) which

Arief Makmur 07:03 2025-03-14 UTC+2

Technical Analysis of Intraday Price Movement of Doge Cryptocurrency, Friday March 14, 2025.

With the appearance of Convergence between the price movement of the Doge cryptocurrency and the Stochastic Oscillator indicator, it gives an indication that in the near future Doge

Arief Makmur 07:03 2025-03-14 UTC+2

Bitcoin and Ethereum Buyers Struggle to Gain Control

Bitcoin continues its recovery after the major sell-off at the beginning of the week. However, yesterday's failure to break the weekly high casts doubt on the short-term bullish outlook

Jakub Novak 10:22 2025-03-13 UTC+2

Trading Recommendations for the Cryptocurrency Market on March 13

Bitcoin and Ethereum are locked within new channels. On the positive side, the intense selling pressure observed at the beginning of the week has subsided. However, there are concerns about

Miroslaw Bawulski 08:05 2025-03-13 UTC+2

Bitcoin Prepares for a Comeback

As Bitcoin and Ether bounce back strongly from their yearly lows, this indicates that the bull market is not finished yet. In this context, Senator Cynthia Lummis has reintroduced

Jakub Novak 23:59 2025-03-12 UTC+2

Bitcoin Depends on Sentiment in the U.S. Stock Market

The cryptocurrency market has seen a slight recovery after another sell-off earlier this week. However, the situation remains tense, and selling pressure could return at any moment

Jakub Novak 10:24 2025-03-12 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.