Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $69,000 in November 2021, but this recent ATH was short-lived as the price quickly dropped to $59,300, marking a 14% correction. Despite regaining some ground and stabilizing around $66,000, the market experienced intense price volatility on Mar. 5.
The surge in Bitcoin’s price volatility led to record-breaking trading volumes across centralized exchanges. From Mar. 2 to Mar. 5, the trading volume increased by 405%, rising from $9.15 billion to $46.25 billion. This increase in trading volume was accompanied by a rise in trade count from 10.12 million to 32.79 million, indicating heightened market engagement.
Engagement of Retail and Institutional Investors
The growth in trade count and average trade size suggested an increase in market participation, possibly from both retail and institutional investors. The average trade size surged by over 55% between Mar. 2 and Mar. 5, indicating larger capital movements in response to price fluctuations.
The global market has traditionally dominated Bitcoin trading volume, but during this volatile period, the US market’s share increased from 11.6% to 18.05%. Binance maintained a significant majority of the global trading volume at 51.54%, while Coinbase led the US market with a 57.89% share.
Binance and Coinbase’s Dominance
Binance and Coinbase have long been dominant players in the crypto market, consistently accounting for a substantial portion of trading activity. This dominance was evident during the high volatility week, showcasing traders’ preference for platforms with high liquidity and reputation.
Despite recent issues with account balances on Coinbase, the impact on overall trading volume seemed minimal, with the exchange still leading the US market. The intense price volatility attracted significant trading activity, drawing both existing and new market participants to the platform.
Centralized exchanges played a critical role in facilitating liquidity and providing price discovery during significant market movements. The surge in volume, trade count, and trade sizes highlighted the platforms’ importance in enabling traders to react to price fluctuations swiftly and effectively.
The recent surge in Bitcoin’s price volatility had a substantial impact on trading activity across centralized exchanges, attracting both retail and institutional investors. The increased engagement and trading volumes during this period showcased the market’s response to fluctuating prices, with platforms like Binance and Coinbase playing key roles in facilitating liquidity and market participation.