BNB surged above the $520 mark on August 16, reflecting a $24 billion growth in valuation since the global market crash on August 5. On-chain data reveals that investor enthusiasm over Binance’s return to India, following a $2.25 million regulatory fine, has propelled BNB to outperform the global altcoin market.
On August 15, 2024, Binance cleared a significant regulatory hurdle in India, marking a critical milestone in its global expansion strategy.
After enduring a seven-month ban, Binance managed to reinstate its operations by registering with India’s Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) monitoring agency, FIU-IND.
This development followed a ₹18.82 crore ($2.25 million) settlement, ending the regulatory impasse that had restricted Binance’s activities in one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency markets.
India’s re-acceptance of Binance re-entry into this market could could have far-reaching implications, not just for BNB price action for the broader crypto ecosystem.
BNB’s price has responded positively to these developments. Following the announcement of Binance’s return to India, BNB surged above the critical $530 level on August 17.
This marks a $24 billion increase in BNB’s valuation since the global market crash on August 5, when the broader crypto market faced significant downward pressure.
The immediate price boost reflects investor optimism and the market’s positive response to Binance’s regulatory settlement.
The lifting of the ban not only restored confidence in Binance but also highlighted the potential for increased trading volumes and liquidity for BNB. At the time of writing, BNB has a market capitalization of $77.3 billion per CoinMarketCap data.
As India is one of the largest markets for digital assets, Binance’s comeback could translate into a substantial increase in demand for BNB, both as a utility token and an investment asset. This could potentially propel BNB into the $100 billion market cap range in the months ahead.
BNB’s performance since the market crash has been nothing short of remarkable. While many altcoins, including key Layer 1 competitors like Solana and Ethereum, have entered consolidation phases, BNB has continued to demonstrate robust growth. As of August 16, BNB is trading at $520, reflecting a 33% increase over the past 11 days.
This upward momentum has been further accelerated by Binance’s reentry into the Indian market. In the last 24 hours alone, BNB has risen by another 4.5%, outpacing many of its peers. This outperformance can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing open interest in BNB futures contracts, which has risen by $45 million over the past 10 days, and the growing trading volume, which climbed to $627.7 million as of August 16.
India’s burgeoning crypto market is a critical factor in understanding the potential impact of Binance’s return. Despite regulatory challenges, India has remained one of the top markets for cryptocurrency adoption. The country’s young, tech-savvy population and increasing internet penetration have fueled the rapid growth of digital asset usage. According to estimates, India ranks second globally in crypto adoption, with over 100 million active crypto users.
Recent data from AltIndex.com underscores the significance of the Indian market. India is expected to reach nearly 270 million crypto users by the end of 2024, surpassing both the United States and Europe combined.
This growth is not merely a continuation of the pandemic-induced boom that saw crypto adoption surge by 570% between 2020 and 2022. Instead, it reflects a broader trend driven by a growing, well-educated middle class and a relatively underdeveloped traditional financial system.
The reentry of Binance into this vibrant market is a game-changer. Binance offers a wide range of products, from spot trading to derivatives and staking, which could attract a significant portion of Indian crypto users.
As more Indians engage with Binance’s ecosystem, the long-term demand for BNB could see a sustained increase, potentially driving its price higher as we move into Q4 2024.
The Total Value Locked (TVL) on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) has shown a notable recovery since the market-wide crash on August 5.
According to data from DeFiLlama, the TVL on BSC increased from $3.7 billion on August 5 to $4.226 billion on August 17. This rise in TVL underscores the growing confidence in Binance’s ecosystem following its return to the Indian market.
The increase in TVL, coupled with the rising number of active addresses—currently at 746,020—indicates a resurgence in user activity and capital inflow into BSC-based projects. This uptick in TVL and active addresses aligns with the broader market’s positive response to Bi
Derivatives traders have played a pivotal role in BNB’s recent market outperformance. According to Coinglass’ Open Interest chart, which measures the total value of outstanding futures contracts, BNB’s open interest has steadily increased since the market rebounded on August 5.
From August 6 to August 16, BNB’s open interest rose from $450 million to $494 million, a $45 million increase, translating to a 10% rise. BNB trading volume also witnessed a significant uptick, climbing to $627.7 million as of August 16.
The steady rise in both open interest and trading volume has been instrumental in maintaining BNB’s uptrend over the past 10 days, helping it avoid significant corrections.
Historical trends suggest that such momentum often precedes further price increases, especially as Binance’s return to India is likely to drive higher open interest and trading volumes in the coming months. These factors position BNB as a coin to watch closely in Q4 2024.
Looking ahead, the technical indicators for BNB remain bullish. The price has maintained its position above the middle Keltner Channel (KC) band at $526.63, indicating ongoing upward momentum. The Parabolic SAR (Stop and Reverse) indicator, which is currently below the price at $427.54, also supports the current uptrend.
BNB faces immediate resistance at the upper KC band of $578.31, while support lies at $474.96. If the bullish momentum continues, BNB could advance towards the $600 mark in the near term. The combination of positive market sentiment, increased demand from the Indian market, and strong technical indicators suggests that BNB is well-positioned for further gains.
As we approach Q4 2024, the outlook for BNB appears increasingly bullish. Binance’s successful return to India has not only provided a significant boost to BNB’s price but has also set the stage for continued growth.
The Indian market represents a massive opportunity for Binance, and by extension, for BNB. With over 100 million crypto users and a rapidly growing digital economy, India could become a key driver of BNB’s price action in the coming months.
Furthermore, the broader market context, including the approval of the Solana ETF and the legalization of crypto mining in Russia, has created a favorable environment for digital assets. These developments, coupled with Binance’s strategic moves, position BNB as one of the most promising assets in the crypto space.
In conclusion, BNB is poised to make significant gains in Q4 2024, with a potential target of $600 in the near term. Investors and traders should keep a close eye on BNB, as it continues to outperform the broader market and capitalize on key market developments.
Ibrahim Ajibade Ademolawa is a seasoned research analyst with a background in Commercial Banking and Web3 startups, specializing in DeFi and TradFi analysis. He holds a B.A. in Economics and is pursuing an MSc in Blockchain.