Bitcoin Set for Strong Q4, Says Coinbase, Citing US and China Economic Moves

Coinbase Institutional’s latest report reveals growing optimism in the crypto market, fueled by expectations of U.S. rate cuts and China’s monetary stimulus. These factors are predicted to positively impact bitcoin’s performance as we head into the fourth quarter of 2024. However, Ethereum’s challenges continue, particularly in terms of rising fees and limited gains from U.S. spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Strong Outlook for Bitcoin Between Economic Shifts

The report, titled Takeaways from Token2049, co-authored by David Duong and David Han of Coinbase Institutional, shared insights from the Token2049 and Solana Breakpoint conferences. The authors expressed a positive outlook for bitcoin, noting, “We anticipate a constructive Q4 2024 due to U.S. rate cuts and significant fiscal and monetary stimulus from China, which should enhance market liquidity and support BTC performance.”

The report emphasized the strong momentum in bitcoin and other high-beta crypto assets, underscoring the potential for solid market growth in the coming months. Analysts highlighted how favorable economic conditions in the U.S. and China could fuel further investment in Bitcoin.

Despite bitcoin’s promising future, Ethereum continues to face obstacles. According to the report, Ethereum has been dealing with rising transaction fees, with higher gas prices impacting on-chain activity. “Onchain activity is growing, with rising DEX volumes and higher Ethereum gas prices,” the report mentioned.

Even with the launch of spot Ethereum ETFs in the U.S. two months ago, Ethereum has not experienced the same surge in value that bitcoin has. The report stated, “Although many market players were bullish on BTC, we encountered a few skeptics on ETH, as the token appears to not have benefited from the launch of spot ETH ETFs.”

Solana, meanwhile, is gaining attention as a growing alternative to Ethereum, expanding its ecosystem and partnerships. The rapid rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and improvements in blockchain infrastructure point to significant growth opportunities across the crypto space, though Ethereum’s dominance is increasingly being challenged.