A recent report by crypto researcher Kaiko has shed light on the highly concentrated nature of crypto trading liquidity. The study reveals that nearly 90% of the trading volume is handled by just eight major exchanges in the market. Among the exchanges responsible for this overwhelming majority are Binance, Coinbase, OKX, and Huobi.
Binance, in particular, has been the world’s leading crypto exchange in terms of volume for several years. This year, Binance accounted for over 30% of the global market depth and more than 60% of worldwide trade volumes. The dominance of Binance in the market indicates a significant level of control over the liquidity in the crypto trading landscape.
According to Kaiko’s researchers, the concentration of liquidity in a few exchanges can bring both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, it can lead to improved liquidity for traders, enhancing their overall market experience. However, on the other hand, this concentration also increases the risk of market disruptions and points of failure. The collapse of FTX serves as a prime example of the risks associated with such high concentration.
The high concentration of liquidity in these major exchanges has caught the attention of crypto analysts. Thinner trading volumes, resulting from this concentration, can lead to more significant price fluctuations. In fact, in August of this year, crypto trading volumes reached their lowest point, declining by 11.5% to $2.09 trillion for combined spot and derivatives trading. This drop in volume occurred despite positive news in the crypto industry, such as the potential approval of a Bitcoin ETF.
Despite the summer slump in volatility, some analysts believe that a change is on the horizon. K33 analysts Anders Helseth and Vetle Lunde suggest that recent market movements indicate a return of volatility to the market. The low volatility experienced over the summer period is slowly giving way to more active price swings. As a result, day traders, hungry for volatility, are expected to reenter the market.
While the concentration of liquidity among a few major crypto exchanges may have its advantages in terms of improved market liquidity, it also poses significant risks. The collapse of FTX serves as a reminder that market disruptions and failures can occur due to this high concentration. Furthermore, thinner trading volumes resulting from this concentration can lead to more significant price fluctuations. As the market potentially enters a more volatile phase, traders and investors should remain cautious and monitor the impact of concentrated liquidity on their trading strategies.
