From coindesk By Omkar Godbole| Edited by Sheldon Reback
What to know:
- Analysts are divided on the impact of FTX’s initial round of payouts.
- President Trump and Elon Musk are scheduled to talk to Fox News.
- The FOMC minutes are likely to repeat the hawkish message.
- Consensus Hong Kong kicks off Tuesday.
As bitcoin (BTC) continues to frustrate traders with lackluster price action below $100,000, here are key events this week that could reignite market activity.
FTX payout
FTX, formerly the world's third-largest digital assets exchange, is set to begin its first round of creditor payouts after going bust in late 2022. First up are Convenience class creditors, those claiming no more than $50,000, who will receive full repayment and a 9% annual post-petition interest.
While optimism is high that the recipients will rotate this money into the market, lifting valuations across the board, not everyone agrees.
"FTX will distribute approximately $1.2 billion to Convenience Class creditors," Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, said in a note to clients Monday. That amount is "too small to move the needle."
Thielen said only $7 billion from the remaining $10.5 billion allocated to bigger creditors could be available for potential crypto investment and further, only 50% of the $7 billion could return to the market. Thielen explained that that could result in a net inflow of over $3 billion, which is just one month of net inflows into the bitcoin market.
Mena Theodorou, co-founder at crypto exchange Coinstash, expects small creditors to put some money into Solana.
"FTX's historic investments in SOL and the Solana ecosystem make it likely that some of these funds will flow back into the network especially since SOL has been a standout performer, rising over 500% in the past year, with strong on-chain activity and developer growth continuing to fuel demand," Thoedorou said in an email, adding SOL could potentially outperform the broader market.
Trump-Musk call
U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire investor Elon Musk will sit down with Fox News host Sean Hannity, the network announced Friday. The discussion will likely be focused on issues including politics, tariffs, immigration and potentially digital assets, all of which could breed market volatility.
"Trump is set to speak in an exclusive interview with Elon Musk on Fox News on February 19 – just one day before the FOMC meeting on February 20," Coinstash's Theodorou said. "Given Trump's increasing alignment with crypto and Musk's close ties with the space, this interview could drive market volatility, particularly if they touch on policy, regulation, or institutional adoption."
