Conditions – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:42:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.10 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Conditions – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Bitcoin volatility hits record low as ETFs influence market conditions https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-volatility-hits-record-low-as-etfs-influence-market-conditions/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-volatility-hits-record-low-as-etfs-influence-market-conditions/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:42:00 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-volatility-hits-record-low-as-etfs-influence-market-conditions/

Bitcoin’s trading patterns are shifting significantly, as spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reshape the landscape.

Since their launch in January 2024, Bitcoin’s price volatility has declined to levels not seen before.

On August 4, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas pointed out that Bitcoin’s 90-day rolling volatility has now fallen below 40, its lowest point since the ETFs launched. At that time, the metric was above 60.

Bitcoin Volatility
Bitcoin’s Declining Volatility vs Gold (Source: Balchunas/X)

The analyst compared this drop to gold’s volatility, noting that Bitcoin’s volatility is now less than double that of gold, compared to being more than three times higher in the past.

This newfound stability could signal a long-term evolution in Bitcoin’s behavior. According to Balchunas, the era of extreme price swings, marked by explosive bull runs followed by painful crashes, may be giving way to more moderate price movements.

Balchunas also pointed out that this stability has helped make Bitcoin more attractive to large-scale investors and has drastically improved its chances of being adopted as a medium of exchange.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-volatility-hits-record-low-as-etfs-influence-market-conditions/feed/ 0 51484 Macro conditions keep Bitcoin boxed between $100k and $110k, bulls awaiting catalyst https://earlybirdsinvest.com/macro-conditions-keep-bitcoin-boxed-between-100k-and-110k-bulls-awaiting-catalyst/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/macro-conditions-keep-bitcoin-boxed-between-100k-and-110k-bulls-awaiting-catalyst/#respond Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:25:22 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/macro-conditions-keep-bitcoin-boxed-between-100k-and-110k-bulls-awaiting-catalyst/

Bitcoin (BTC) is in a “waiting game,” trading between $100,000 and $110,000, with analysts highlighting the need for a macro catalyst to break the top of the channel.

The latest “Bitfinex Alpha” report noted lighter spot activity, softer taker-buy flow, and profit-taking by wallets that had bought below $80,000 in April as the reasons behind the consolidation period.

The report cited spot volume declines and a weaker appetite for futures as signs that the rally from April 9’s $74,634 low has stalled. Exchange data showed $58.6 million in long liquidations and $65.2 million in short liquidations within 24 hours, flushing out leverage on both sides. 

Open interest in perp and dated contracts dropped 7.2% to 334,000 BTC, indicating forced position cuts and a cleaner derivatives landscape. 

The report noted that June corresponds with the close of a historically strong second quarter, with the average return in this period since 2013 standing at nearly 27%. Meanwhile, the third quarter averages only 6%, often with tighter ranges.

Support between $94,000 and $99,000 is still attracting bids, bolstered by the short-term holder’s realized price, which is now nearing $98,779. 

Traders stepped in when the spot price dipped to $98,579 on June 22, lifting the pair to $108,250 after geopolitical tensions eased. 

The report framed the current structure as a “waiting game” in which bulls and bears balance out until fresh demand arrives, most likely from exchange-traded fund flows during US trading hours.

Macro drivers under watch

Nicolai Søndergaard, a research analyst at Nansen, flagged Federal Reserve policy as the primary variable. He noted that the market will likely react positively once the Fed announces rate cuts, adding that risk assets need cheaper funding and better liquidity to attract new capital. 

Søndergaard tracks liquidation heat maps and institutional wallet signals to gauge whether large buyers accumulate or stand aside.

Bitfinex Alpha echoed that view, stating that exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows must accelerate and global liquidity must expand before Bitcoin can clear the upper band of its two-month range. 

Without deeper cash allocations, spot bids fade near $110,000, and sellers cap the price by trimming their positions. 

Still, the report saw no imminent breakdown as long as key support levels hold and structural positioning remains constructive.

Bitcoin Market Data

At the time of press 9:50 pm UTC on Jun. 30, 2025, Bitcoin is ranked #1 by market cap and the price is up 0.09% over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $2.14 trillion with a 24-hour trading volume of $43.46 billion. Learn more about Bitcoin ›

Crypto Market Summary

At the time of press 9:50 pm UTC on Jun. 30, 2025, the total crypto market is valued at at $3.33 trillion with a 24-hour volume of $106.82 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 64.27%. Learn more about the crypto market ›

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/macro-conditions-keep-bitcoin-boxed-between-100k-and-110k-bulls-awaiting-catalyst/feed/ 0 45116 Intel’s new CEO lands $66M pay deal, with stock performance conditions https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intels-new-ceo-lands-66m-pay-deal-with-stock-performance-conditions/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intels-new-ceo-lands-66m-pay-deal-with-stock-performance-conditions/#respond Sun, 16 Mar 2025 19:47:21 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intels-new-ceo-lands-66m-pay-deal-with-stock-performance-conditions/

In a nutshell: As Intel prepares for the arrival of its new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, a recent regulatory filing has revealed details of his comprehensive compensation package. Tan will receive a base salary of $1 million, with the potential to earn an annual bonus of up to $2 million. However, the bulk of his compensation comes from long-term equity awards and stock options, totaling approximately $66 million.

The package includes a long-term equity grant valued at $14.4 million and a performance grant of $17 million in Intel shares, set to vest over five years. Notably, Tan will only receive these shares if Intel’s stock price does not decline over the next three years, with the potential to earn additional shares if the company outperforms the market.

In addition, Tan will receive stock options worth $9.6 million and a new-hire option grant valued at $25 million. This comprehensive package is designed to align his incentives with long-term shareholder value creation. Intel emphasized that Tan’s compensation is competitive within the industry and reflects his extensive experience as a technology leader.

Given the broader industry trend of linking executive compensation to performance and equity growth, Tan’s package is substantial but not unusual compared to other tech CEOs. Many top executives in the sector receive the bulk of their compensation through stock options and grants, often contingent on meeting specific performance benchmarks.

To qualify for the grants and bonuses, Tan agreed to purchase $25 million in Intel shares within his first month as CEO. Additionally, the compensation package includes provisions for accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control, as outlined in Intel’s recent SEC filing.

As Tan takes the helm, Intel is counting on his deep industry expertise to drive a turnaround and sustain the recent momentum in its stock price, which has risen nearly 20 percent in 2025. In a statement, he reaffirmed Intel’s commitment to reclaiming its status as a premier foundry, underscoring the company’s dedication to the sector despite growing competition from TSMC and Samsung.

Tan previously served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a leading electronic systems design company, from 2009 to 2021, and was a board member from 2004 to 2023. Having stepped down last August, he will now also rejoin Intel’s board of directors.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intels-new-ceo-lands-66m-pay-deal-with-stock-performance-conditions/feed/ 0 25518 Intel pushes back Ohio chip plant opening to 2030, citing market conditions https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intel-pushes-back-ohio-chip-plant-opening-to-2030-citing-market-conditions/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intel-pushes-back-ohio-chip-plant-opening-to-2030-citing-market-conditions/#respond Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:17:11 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intel-pushes-back-ohio-chip-plant-opening-to-2030-citing-market-conditions/

What just happened? Intel announced a significant revision to the construction timeline of its Ohio One semiconductor manufacturing site in New Albany. The setback is the third substantial delay from the facility’s original 2025 completion target. Intel emphasizes its commitment to the project and its ability to accelerate construction if market demand warrants.

The first phase of the facility, known as Mod 1, should be finished in 2030, with chip production beginning between 2030 and 2031. The company’s revised timeline also affects the project’s second phase, Mod 2, pushing it back to a 2031 completion date, with operations beginning in 2032.

The Ohio One campus, once dubbed the “Silicon Heartland,” is an ambitious undertaking. It will span approximately 1,000 acres and include up to eight semiconductor fabrication plants. The site will also accommodate support operations and industry partners. Initial investment estimates were around $20 billion, with potential for up to $100 billion in total development costs.

Despite the frequent delays, the site has made significant construction progress since work began in 2022. Key milestones include completion of the underground foundation, commencement of above-ground construction, installation of air separation units and underground piping, pouring over 200,000 cubic yards of concrete, and more than 6.4 million hours of invested labor.

The revised timeline reveals that the Ohio facilities will utilize process technologies developed after Intel’s 14A and 14A-E nodes, currently scheduled for introduction in 2026-2027. These advanced manufacturing processes will likely rely on ASML’s cutting-edge High-NA EUV lithography tools, costing around $350 million each.

Intel has already begun hiring and training employees for the Ohio facility. Workers are receiving training at existing Intel sites in Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon, preparing them for the eventual opening of the local facility.

Intel’s decision to delay the Ohio plant opening comes amid a challenging period for the company and the semiconductor industry. The past year has seen Intel grappling with financial losses, layoffs, and leadership changes. The company has also made strategic decisions to simplify its product roadmap, including canceling an AI chip project.

While the delay may raise concerns about Intel’s outlook on future demand, it also allows the company to manage its capital expenditures more effectively during market uncertainty. By postponing significant investments in production equipment, Intel can focus on returning to profitability while maintaining the flexibility to ramp up operations when market conditions improve.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/intel-pushes-back-ohio-chip-plant-opening-to-2030-citing-market-conditions/feed/ 0 22736 Bitcoin Hashrate Growth Slows Amid Tough Market Conditions for Smaller Miners https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-hashrate-growth-slows-amid-tough-market-conditions-for-smaller-miners/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-hashrate-growth-slows-amid-tough-market-conditions-for-smaller-miners/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:58:12 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-hashrate-growth-slows-amid-tough-market-conditions-for-smaller-miners/

After months of rapid expansion, Bitcoin’s hashrate growth slowed down in January, according to the latest report from TheMinerMag.

The network’s difficulty saw its first decline since September, indicating that even though publicly listed companies have kept increasing their hash power, their growth isn’t enough to compensate for the capitulation of other, probably smaller operators.

The total revenue made from bitcoin (BTC) mining remained stable at $1.4 billion for the month. Publicly traded mining companies, which collectively hold 99,000 bitcoin (worth roughly $9.7 billion), accounted for about 30% of the hashrate market share in January.

Competition between the biggest publicly traded companies has also increased.

The leading mining firm, Marathon Digital (MARA), retained its top spot with a realized hashrate of 41.65 EH/s, followed by CleanSpark at 34.77 EH/s. Riot Platforms, which has been expanding aggressively, is closing in with 31.27 EH/s.

“Notably, the competition within the 30 EH/s group is heating up like never before, while the gap between the 30 EH/s tier and the 10 EH/s group — comprising Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, and Bitfarms — continues to widen,” the report said.

The top miners taking more market share is hardly a surprise as the recent halving event has cut bitcoin mining rewards by half and squeezed the industry’s profit margin, even with the BTC price near $100,000. In such an environment, it’s tough for smaller players to compete with big operations which were already positioned to dominate the market. In fact, a lot of miners are already looking for other revenue sources, such as hosting machines for AI and HPC firms.

Read more: Bitcoin Halving Is a ‘Show Me the Money’ Moment for Miners

The report also said that mining hardware imports to the U.S. also slowed in January, a factor contributing to the stabilization of hashrate growth. However, some firms, including Blockchain Power Corp and AcroHash, have imported a significant amount of cooling infrastructure from Bitmain.

Looking ahead, TheMinerMag predicts another difficulty adjustment decline in February as some smaller mining operators exit the market due to lower profitability.

Read more: Bitcoin Mining Is a Game of Survival, Consolidation and Potential AI Diversification: Bernstein

Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk’s full AI Policy.

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