Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, recently raised a critical question on the X platform, wondering whether Bitcoin is truly independent from the U.S. stock market. Portnoy pointed out a growing trend where Bitcoin’s price movements appear to mirror those of traditional stocks. He noted that whenever equities rise, Bitcoin often rises, and when stocks fall, Bitcoin tends to follow suit. This observation led him to question Bitcoin’s role as an independent asset outside traditional financial systems, suggesting it might be behaving more like other risk assets.

Bitcoin’s Behavior Amid Market Volatility

To provide context for this concern, consider the week leading up to the declaration of U.S. President Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs. During this period, equities across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. experienced sharp declines, and Bitcoin was no exception. The price of Bitcoin dropped by as much as 4.5%, falling to around $81,770. Other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum and XRP, also experienced similar downturns. This parallel movement between Bitcoin and traditional assets has further fueled discussions on whether Bitcoin can still be considered separate from traditional markets.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy, responded to Portnoy’s observations by offering his perspective. Saylor explained that the short-term price fluctuations of Bitcoin are largely influenced by its liquidity. During periods of market panic or stress, traders often liquidate the most liquid assets first. Since Bitcoin operates 24/7 and is the most liquid digital asset, it is more likely to experience price swings during times of market turbulence. Saylor, however, emphasized that this does not imply a long-term correlation between Bitcoin and the stock market. He noted that over time, Bitcoin’s behavior could evolve to become less tied to traditional financial markets.

Sven Henrich, a financial strategist, echoed Saylor’s thoughts on liquidity. Henrich highlighted that Bitcoin’s high correlation with equities is largely driven by liquidity flows. Currently, the monthly correlation between Bitcoin and the stock market is above 90%, and Bitcoin tends to exhibit greater volatility. Henrich argued that while Bitcoin’s price can be influenced by market conditions, its volatility is primarily due to its status as the most liquid digital asset. This makes it more susceptible to changes in the broader market, especially during periods of heightened uncertainty.

The Path to Bitcoin’s Independence

Despite the current correlation between Bitcoin and traditional assets, some experts argue that it may be premature to declare that Bitcoin will always trade in tandem with the stock market. Jack Mac from Barstool Sports suggested that Bitcoin’s true independence will likely take more time to materialize, particularly due to the involvement of large institutional investors. These investors may continue to sell off Bitcoin during times of economic uncertainty, which could further align its price movements with those of traditional equities.

In contrast, expert analyst Brett posited that Bitcoin’s value is not solely derived from its price movements but also from its technological innovation and use case as a store of value. For countries facing economic instability, Bitcoin has increasingly been viewed as a hedge against the collapse of national currencies, further highlighting its potential as a financial tool independent of traditional markets.

Conclusion: The Role of Institutional Investors

As long as institutional players remain a dominant force in the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin’s price may continue to reflect the ups and downs of the broader financial markets. However, the increasing adoption of Bitcoin and its technological advancements may eventually help it evolve into a more independent asset. For now, though, Bitcoin’s price will likely remain influenced by market sentiment and liquidity, causing it to mirror the behavior of Wall Street stocks.