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Reports of cryptocurrency Exchanges faking trading volume by wash trading have become rampant in the Financial market. What was once perceived to be something based on only suspicion and allegations is now coming out with documented proof.
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Bitwise: Actual volume of trading is only $273 million
Recently, TIE had released a report of its independent analysis of discrepancies found in the reported trading volume of exchanges. Furthermore, according to TIE’s research 75% of the Exchanges reported fake trading volume data. However, according to the new report by Bitwise Asset Management, the actual percentage is 90%. Both of them used a different approach but seemed to have reached a similar conclusion.
List of ‘Trusted’ Cryptocurrency Exchanges According To Bitwise
The research parameter for Bitwise Asset Management was ‘trading volume’ data with respect to the amount of Bitcoins held in the exchanges. On comparing the data from several Exchanges, the report found authentic similarities in only ten Exchanges. They also found that nine out of the ten Exchanges have procured the required regulatory licenses. Binance Exchange was the exception out of the 10.
The other nine exchanges that reported authentic trading volume as per the report are BitFinex, BitFlyer, BitStamp, Bittrex, Coinbase Pro, Gemini, itBit, Kraken, and Poloniex.
https://twitter.com/BitwiseInvest/status/1109114692428070912
What does it Mean for the Cryptocurrency Markets?
The total volume of trading is an independent factor that does not contribute to the ‘circulating supply’ nor the price. Hence, the total market capitalization is not directly affected by the reported trading volume. However, exaggerated reports of daily volume could affect market sentiments negatively.
The technique used to exaggerate the volume data of exchanges is ‘wash trading.’ By faking their data, the Exchanges are successfully able to climb the rankings on Exchange list according to trading volume. Furthermore, the rankings earn them customers and a heavy coin listing fees as well.
The fake reported data on Exchanges is also a factor behind SEC’s reluctance to pass an ETF based on Bitcoin or altcoins. The regulatory bodies around the world will most likely crack down on the exchanges and weed out the fake data. Nevertheless, the road towards progress is steady and comparable to the current traditional asset like ‘Leveraged ETF.’
Source: https://coingape.com/trust-ten-cryptocurrency-exchanges-warns-bitwise/