Why Short-Sellers are Banking Big on Crypto: A 2022 Overview

Estimated read time 3 min read

Short-Selling Surge in the Crypto Market

This year has seen short-sellers reveling in profits across various sectors, but the blockchain industry has been the shining star, making them the big deals of the stock market. According to recent data from S3 Partners, profits from crypto short-sellers have skyrocketed by a staggering 126% in 2022. That’s some serious cash without having to buy a single coin!

A Rich Harvest for Short-Sellers

The overall U.S. equity short-sellers’ average profits have also delivered something to cheer about, climbing over 30% this year. Sounds good, right? But when you put crypto in the picture, the other sectors start to look like the sad cousins at a family reunion, with gains in automobiles (54%), software and services (50%), media and entertainment (46%), and even retail (46%) all coming in second to our crypto champions.

The Top Contenders in Crypto Short-Selling

So who are the players helping short-sellers strike gold? The big names include:

  • Coinbase Global
  • Marathon Digital Holdings
  • MicroStrategy

Coinbase stocks have plummeted nearly 80% year-to-date, making it a hot target for short-sellers. And yes, that’s part of why they’re super excited—after all, nothing feels better than watching a stock crash while you’ve put your money on the downside.

The Nuts and Bolts of Short Selling

For those who aren’t familiar, short-selling is when an investor borrows a stock and sells it in hopes of buying it back for less. If that price drops—BOOM—you pocket the difference, and, frankly, it’s like winning the lottery at a casino where you’ve got your lucky charm on. But, with great reward comes great risk; high short interest indicates a hefty amount of pessimism about a stock, and it could get messy if prices bounce back unexpectedly.

The Challenges Ahead for Short-Sellers

While profits are sweet, there’s a catch. The availability of stocks to borrow is tightening, with S3 Partners noting that stock borrower utilization is currently at a hefty 91%. This means that new and current short-sellers might just be late to this lavish party. A high utilization rate suggests that demand is high, but like showing up to a buffet at closing time, it might be slim pickings.

Conclusion: Staying Vigilant in a Tumultuous Market

The price of Bitcoin has fallen below $20,205 amidst swirling rumors about collapsing crypto hedge funds. Analysts warn of a long consolidation period ahead, with several ups and downs expected in coming months. Short-sellers could find themselves navigating complex waters, where anticipated bounces may not be as predictable as ordering pizza delivery. So, is it too late to short-sell in the crypto market? Remember, timing is everything!

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