Survey shows 55% of crypto investors chose to HODL as Bitcoin and altcoin prices collapsed

Crypto and equities markets are down, and aside from the positive news of Celsius repaying all of their debt and avoiding a massive liquidation, there are few on-the-spot reasons that are prompting investors to buy Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins.

The collapse of numerous decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, crypto investment funds and BTC trading 60% below its all-time high continue to weigh on sentiment, but a few positive tidbits of data could be a sign that the market is ready to enter a consolidation phase.

expect people will shift from a comatose state of fear to the realization that tens of billions of $ in forced spot selling (LFG, 3AC, lenders, miners) were a capitulation/risk transfer rivaled only by the Covid crash https://t.co/vAj7HfTKxf

Crypto investors HODL

According to a recent survey conducted by Appinio and despite the collapse in crypto prices and the start of the bear market, “more than half (55%) of crypto investors held their investments in response to the recent crypto-asset market sell-off with just 8% selling their investments.”

This suggests that the investment conviction of a majority of crypto investors remains strong. The study also found that “33% of American investors are invested in crypto-assets,” and “40% of investors believe Bitcoin presents the best investment opportunity over the next three months.” 

American investors show resiliency

When it comes to how American investors responded to the broad pullback across financial markets, Appinio found that 65% of respondents held their investments and remained confident in their choices.

When asked to pinpoint their most pressing short-term concerns, 66% of respondents cited rising inflation, 39% highlighted the state of the global economy and 34% identified international conflict.

According to Callie Cox, United States investment analyst at eToro, these concerns combined with ongoing uncertainty “and an overall increase in cost of living and housing costs” have formed “a perfect storm of setbacks” for investors.

Cox said:

Related: Bitcoin traders expect a ‘generational bottom,’ but BTC derivatives data disagrees

Bitcoin enters oversold territory

In addition to the resiliency displayed by crypto investors, several on-chain metrics also suggest that the market may have hit oversold territory and is primed for a period of consolidation.

The MVRV Z-score, which uses a combination of Bitcoin’s market value, realized value and z-score, has been a reliable tool to help identify when BTC is “extremely over or undervalued relative to its fair value,” according to LookIntoBitcoin.

As shown on the chart above, periods where the red z-score has entered the lower green band have represented good buying opportunities for BTC, as have times when the market price dropped below the realized price, a feature shown by the blue and yellow lines at the top of the chart.

The Bitcoin Investor Tool provided by LookIntoBitcoin likewise offers insight when buying or selling Bitcoin can produce outsized returns.

The green shaded areas on the chart represent periods of time where the price of Bitcoin is at a level that is considered historically low and may represent a good opportunity to buy.

It should be noted that with the Bitcoin investor tool and the MVRV Z-Score, the time spent in bear market conditions varies and can go on for an extended period, so it would be wise for investors to not solely base their investment thesis on any particular metric or indicator in isolation.

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph.com. Every investment and trading move involves risk, you should conduct your own research when making a decision.