Bitcoin

Chinese Bitcoin Investors Are Happily Paying a Markup For Tethers

Allen Scott · @bitcoinister | Apr 08, 2019 | 04:30

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As Bitcoin price surged over 27 percent in the past week, traders in China are paying a markup for Tether stablecoins, which offer an easy way to buy cryptocurrencies. 

Tether Offers China The Easiest Way to Buy Bitcoin

Cryptocurrency traders in China are starting to wake up. The latest data shows strong demand for stablecoin USD Tether, whose price 00 has risen above its nominal $1 peg indicating increasing buyer demand.

China-focused cryptocurrency Twitter news service cnLedger explains that investors are happily paying a 3 percent markup on over-the-counter platforms for tethers.

Chinese markets reveal strong buys. OTC (Over-The-Counter) trades, the almost only way to buy bitcoin with fiat in China, showing considerable $ premium (1 USDT = 7 CNY) over the official rate of 1 USD = 6.7 CNY.

1/ Chinese markets reveal strong buys. OTC (Over-The-Counter) trades, the almost only way to buy bitcoin with fiat in China, showing considerable $ premium (1 USDT = 7 CNY) over the official rate of 1 USD = 6.7 CNY. pic.twitter.com/bd0n0DGFVU

— cnLedger (@cnLedger) April 8, 2019

“…After the PBoC ICO/exchange ban, the most convenient way to buy cryptos in China, is to buy stable coins like USDT first using OTC, and then trade it into any cryptos you want in exchanges” adds cnLedger. 

Chinese Yuan Again Flowing Into Bitcoin

The latest data from Coinmarketcap shows trading volume involving USDT comprising around $18 billion. The stable coin currently stands at a market capitalization of roughly $2.11 billion.

This is up from its yearly low of $1.6 billion seen in mid-November when USDT dropped under its nominal peg to 98 cents. Notably, this was also when Bitcoin’s $6,000 support finally gave, plunging BTC/USD to $3,000 price levels.

Bitcoinist reported in March on the resurgence of Chinese Yuan (CNY) inflows into Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general. The likey reason for this resurgence is record profits from red-hot Chinese stocks.

Data from Coinlib shows $127 million and $72.4 million in CNY money flows over the past 24 hours into bitcoin and ethereum, respectively.

This may not be a coincidence as bitcoin price 00 surged over 27 percent over the past week breaking some key resistance levels along the way. The latest upswing is also seeing increasing bullish sentiment that could be signalling a reversal after a 15-month long bear market.

Chinese Shrug Off Bitcoin Trading Ban

Chinese traders and investors appear to be shrugging off the current ban on ICOs and virtual currency trading. Appetite for bitcoin in China appears to be on the rise once more as off-exchange and OTC platforms are becoming more popular.

The rising bitcoin price, meanwhile, seems to be activating a positive feedback loop that’s boosting interest in the world’s leading cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin exchanges frequented by Chinese traders such as Huobi and OkEx have been seeing increasing traffic, according to the latest data from Alexa Rankings.

Additionally, a December 2018 survey of nearly 5000 Chinese people revealed that two in five (or 40 percent) wanted to invest in bitcoin, particularly among the millenial demographic.

Futhermore, searches on China’s ‘Google’ Baidu for Bitcoin have soared over the past week to the number one spot on April 4th as BTC price hit its 2019 high.

Due to the recent price surge, #bitcoin tops today's Baidu hottest emerging keywords. (Baidu is like China's Google) pic.twitter.com/AWtVw9aOzw

— cnLedger (@cnLedger) April 4, 2019

The rising interest also comes after a Chinese court issued a ruling in October 2018 saying there is no prohibition on owning and transferring bitcoin in China. The decision means that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are legally regarded as property in the country that’s particularly known for its Bitcoin mining industry.

Could China spark another bitcoin price bull-run? Share your thoughts below!

Images via Shutterstock, Twitter/@cnLedger