Why is Bitcoin price up today?

Bitcoin (BTC) price is up today, rising 5% with a sharp upward candle that sent the price to a 2-week high over $28,000 after U.S. Court of Appeals Circuit Judge Neomi Rao sided with Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) in its case against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The decision amplifies the recent growing institutional interest in Bitcoin from companies like BlackRock and Fidelity Investments, both of which are scheduled to hear answers about their BTC spot ETFs on Sept. 2.

Let’s look into the reasons why Bitcoin price is up today.

Related: Recursive inscriptions: Bitcoin ‘supercomputer’ and BTC DeFi coming soon

Institutional interest sparks a Bitcoin rally

Bitcoin price began the Aug. 29 rally after Judge Rao vacated the SEC’s order to deny the GBTC spot ETF over “fraud” concerns. The decision comes after the company took the SEC to the appeals court to argue for the soundness of Bitcoin futures on June 30, 2022. While the order does not approve the spot ETF, Judge Rao adjudged,

“Grayscale’s petition for review be granted and the Commission’s order be vacated, in accordance with the opinion of the court”

The judge vacating the SEC’s Grayscale ETF denial has also provided a boost to the Grayscale ETF. The discount is approaching 2023 highs under 25%.

To date, the SEC has refused to approve a spot Bitcoin ETF, despite numerous applicants including BlackRock, Fidelity, Cathie Wood’s ARK and 21Shares which has filed for approval three times.

BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager with over $8.5 trillion in assets under management. The firm will also utilize Coinbase to custody the BTC in the trust according to the filing with the SEC. Starting in Sept. the SEC has a host of ETF decisions to approve, deny or delay.

Lower exchange BTC supply

Coinciding with Bitcoin price gains on Aug. 29, the BTC supply on exchanges is dropping to the lowest level since January 2018.

The market perceives coins leaving crypto exchanges as a bullish signal, given traders withdraw their BTC typically when they want to hold it in self-custody long-term.

Interestingly, on-chain data shows that exchanges have been shedding Bitcoin since May 18, 2023. In other words, large swaths of Bitcoin investors are positioning for a BTC price rally even amidst the elongated bear market trend of 2023.

Liquidations could be sending Bitcoin price higher

With Bitcoin continuing to leave exchanges, liquidations have less cushion causing volatility. In the past 24-hours alone, over $46.5 million BTC shorts have been liquidated with over $100 million in shorts being liquidated across the crypto market.

Despite the short-seller losing streak, 48% of the futures market remains short on Bitcoin price. With such a high ratio remaining skewed short a potential opportunity for a short-squeeze could happen leading to greater Bitcoin price upside.

Related: BTC price jumps to 2-week highs on Grayscale vs. SEC Bitcoin ETF win

While Bitcoin price is showing some bullish momentum in the short-term after the Grayscale ruling and short liquidations, the Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index shows the market is still fearful, down over 13 points compared to the previous month.

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This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.