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Liquidity in the Cyprus banking system rises to almost €29 billion in August

Liquidity in the Cyprus banking system (the difference between deposits and loans) rose to €28.7 billion in August 2024, driven by the rise in deposits in combination with the reduction in the outstanding balance of loans in the system, data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) show.

According to the CBC, total deposits in August 2024 recorded a net increase (excluding the changes resulting from reclassifications, exchange rate and other adjustments) of €288.5 million, compared with a net increase of €164.7 million the month before.

The annual growth rate of total deposits rose to 3.8%, compared with 2.9% in July 2024. The outstanding amount of total deposits reached €53.6 billion in August 2024, the CBC added.

The rise in deposits was driven by the increase in savings by Cyprus residents, which amounted to €194.2 million. Deposits of households and non-financial corporations increased by €34.6 million and €46.8 million respectively, whereas deposits of the remaining domestic sectors exhibited a total increase οf €112.8 million.

Loans down by €75 million

Total loans in August 2024 recorded a net decrease of €74.9 million, compared with a net decrease of €7.2 million in July 2024.

The annual growth rate (compared with August 2023) stood at 1.7%, compared with 2.0% in July 2024. The outstanding amount of total loans reached €24.9 billion in August 2024.

Loans to Cyprus residents exhibited a decrease of €72.2 million.

Loans to households and non-financial corporations decreased by €25.8 million and €53.6 million respectively. Loans to the remaining domestic sectors exhibited a total increase of €7.2 million, the CBC said.

The remaining domestic sectors include investment funds, other financial intermediaries, financial auxiliaries, captive financial institutions and money lenders, insurance corporations and pension funds and general government.

Bitcoin Surges 23% In A Week As Investor Optimism Returns

Bitcoin was on track for a weekly gain of around 23% on Friday as a series of positive macroeconomic and policy developments boosted investor sentiment.

The cryptocurrency was trading about 6% higher at roughly $77,000, up from around $62,800 at the start of the week. Crypto-related stocks also rallied, with Coinbase and Circle gaining more than 9%, while Strategy rose 7%.

Macro Factors Fuel Rally

Bitcoin’s latest surge began Wednesday after Treasury yields fell sharply following a major intervention by the U.S. Treasury in the bond market. Lower yields eased pressure on risk assets and helped trigger a broader move into cryptocurrencies.

The rally was further amplified by a major short squeeze. Around $2.7 billion in crypto short positions were liquidated, according to CoinGlass.

Max Stuedlein, head of Partnerships at Sygnum APAC, said the move reflected an alignment of macroeconomic and policy catalysts, including the Treasury’s decision to increase buybacks of longer-dated government debt.

Clarity Act Boosts Sentiment

Investor confidence improved further on Thursday as the White House and crypto industry leaders made a final push to advance the Clarity Act in the coming weeks.

The legislation is widely viewed as a potential catalyst for the crypto market, although its chances of passing remain relatively limited.

Despite the rally, bitcoin remains well below its 2026 high of $94,820 reached in January and its all-time high of $126,198, set last October.

Analysts See More Volatility Ahead

Lucy Gazmararian, founder and managing partner at Token Bay Capital, said the crypto market may be approaching the end of its bear cycle.

She expects bitcoin could experience one more decline of around 20% before the market turns, pointing to historical cycles and the recent liquidation of heavily leveraged short positions.

Gazmararian also described bitcoin as a long-term hedge against monetary debasement, while warning that its short-term price remains highly volatile and driven by market cycles.

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