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Bitcoin Volatility: Five Key Factors You Should Know

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Bitcoin’s price volatility has long been a central focus for traders. This cryptocurrency continues to show erratic swings, with recent price movements reflecting its sensitivity to both internal and external factors.

For traders around the world, understanding the forces behind Bitcoin’s volatility is crucial to making informed trading decisions. Let’s discuss the five key factors influencing Bitcoin’s price volatility.

Market sentiment and media influence

Bitcoin’s price is highly susceptible to shifts in market sentiment, which can be heavily influenced by news coverage and social media.

Positive news, such as the approval of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), can trigger sharp price rallies. Negative headlines, such as regulatory crackdowns or exchange hacks, can cause panic selling. Traders should monitor news closely to anticipate market moves.

Regulatory changes and government actions

Major government actions have historically led to steep price declines. However, positive regulatory developments, such as clearer legal frameworks in major markets, can instil confidence and drive prices upwards.

Traders should stay vigilant about policy changes, as regulatory announcements can either dampen or boost investor confidence and directly influence volatility.

Liquidity and market size

Compared to traditional stock markets, Bitcoin’s relatively low liquidity plays a significant role in making crypto trading more volatile.

The fragmented nature of crypto exchanges means price discrepancies across platforms can be exploited, adding to short-term volatility. In addition, strategies such as high-frequency trading and leveraging can further exacerbate price movements.

For traders, it’s essential to understand that liquidity in crypto trading is still developing, and large trades can cause rapid shifts in price​.

Technological developments and security issues

While technological advancements aim to enhance the efficiency of transactions, security issues remain a significant driver of volatility.

Exchange hacks or security breaches can trigger rapid sell-offs, shaking market confidence. Technological milestones, such as upgrades or halving events, also tend to introduce uncertainty and increased volatility.

Traders should watch for upcoming technological developments, as these can create both risks and opportunities in the market​.

Macroeconomic factors and institutional adoption

Macroeconomic factors, including inflation rates, central bank policies, and geopolitical events, play an increasingly significant role in price movements. Bitcoin is sometimes viewed as a hedge against inflation, which can lead to increased demand during periods of economic uncertainty.

Institutional adoption is a double-edged sword. While it can bring stability, it may also exacerbate volatility when institutions engage in short-term speculative trading rather than long-term investments.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s volatility is driven by a complex interplay of market sentiment, regulatory changes, and technological advancements.

Understanding these drivers can help traders better navigate the unpredictable waters of Bitcoin trading. Staying informed and adapting strategies in response to these key factors is crucial for those looking to profit from price movements.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Economy

Beta Glass Grows FY25 Revenue by 27% on Improved Production Efficiency

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

In the 2025 financial year, Beta Glass Plc grew its revenue by 27 per cent to N149.12 billion from N117.58 billion in 2024, reflecting continued demand for the company’s glass packaging products across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Despite market challenges, the organisation performed well due to improved production efficiency, effective cost management, and a clear focus on its key customers and segments.

In the year, the gross margin improved to 35.3 per cent from 26.3 per cent, operating margin rose to 32.3 per cent from 20.0 per cent, reflecting improved operating efficiency and effective cost management.

A look at the bottom-line showed that profit after tax (PAT) went up by 144 per cent to N33.25 billion from N13.63 billion, demonstrating the resilience of its operations despite evolving global and regional market conditions, while the Earnings Per Share (EPS) stood at N55.41 versus N22.71 in 2024.

The chief executive of Beta Glass, Mr Alex Gendis, said, “This year’s results reflect the resilience of our business model and the successful execution of our strategic initiatives.

“Despite market challenges, our commitment to delivering value to our shareholders was and remains strong. Our performance was underpinned by improved production efficiency, effective cost management, and a clear focus on our key customers and segments.

“At the same time, we continued to invest significantly in our asset base, with the rebuild of our furnace in Delta, positioning the business for sustainable long-term growth.”

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Economy

Nigeria’s Oil Reserves to Last 59 Years at Current Output—NUPRC

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By Adedapo Adesanya

If Nigeria continues producing crude oil at its current pace, its proven reserves would be exhausted in about 59 years, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The regulator disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, as it released the nation’s official petroleum reserves position as of January 1, 2026.

In a statement signed by its chief executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the commission said Nigeria’s total oil and condensate reserves stand at 37.01 billion barrels, while total gas reserves are about 215.19 trillion cubic feet.

“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, in keeping with its mandate, is committed to improving upstream sector performance, enhancing the growth of oil and gas reserves, and ensuring stable production for shared prosperity via the operationalisation of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, and implementation of the strategic pillars of the commission,” she said.

Providing a breakdown, she stated that “2P crude oil and condensate reserves stand at 31.09 billion barrels and 5.92 billion barrels, respectively, amounting to a total of 37.01 billion barrels.”

On gas, she said, “2P associated gas and non-associated gas reserves stand at 100.21 trillion cubic feet and 114.98 trillion cubic feet, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 215.19 trillion cubic feet.”

Explaining the changes recorded within the period, Mrs Eyesan noted that crude volumes declined slightly due to production activities during the previous year.

While Nigeria’s reserves life index stands at 59 years for oil, it was put at 85 years for gas, indicating the estimated duration the resources would last at current production levels.

“The Reserves Life Index is 59 Years and 85 Years for Oil and Gas, respectively. The reason for the slight change in 1.1.2026 oil and condensate reserves by 0.74 per cent is attributable to production in 2025 and reserves update due to field performance and technical evaluation based on subsurface studies.

“The reason for the increase in 1.1.2026 AG and NAG reserves by 2.21 per cent is largely because reserves update is based on discoveries and the result of robust reservoir studies,” she said.

In contrast, she said gas reserves increased on the back of fresh discoveries and improved technical assessments.

“The reason for the increase in 1.1.2026 associated gas and non-associated gas reserves by 2.21 per cent is largely because the reserves update is based on discoveries and the result of robust reservoir studies,” she added.

Declaring the figures official, Mrs Eyesan said, “Consequently, and in furtherance of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, I hereby declare the total oil and condensate reserves of 37.01 billion barrels and total gas reserves of 215.19 trillion cubic feet as the official national petroleum reserves position as of 1st January 2026.”

Findings show that Nigeria’s reserves position in 2026 reflects a modest shift from 2025, when total oil and condensate reserves were slightly higher at about 37.3 billion barrels, while gas reserves stood at approximately 210–211 trillion cubic feet.

The 2026 data, therefore, indicates a 0.74 per cent decline in oil reserves, largely driven by sustained production and limited new oil discoveries, while gas reserves expanded by 2.21 per cent due to ongoing exploration success and renewed focus on gas development.

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Economy

NNPC Allocates More Crude Cargoes to Dangote Refinery

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has allocated seven cargoes to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals for May 2026, up from five in previous months, to boost fuel production and ease rising costs.

The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, which is responsible for over 60 per cent of domestic supply, has not been able to get its expected feedstock from the national oil company under the Crude-for-Naira initiative. It has received about 40 per cent of local feedstock in recent months, according to the chief executive of the oil refinery, Mr David Bird.

He said the refinery currently gets only about five cargoes of crude monthly, against an expected 13 to 15 cargoes, noting that this was below its agreed crude oil supply under the federal government’s Crude-for-Naira arrangement.

Business Post reports that the majority of Nigeria’s crude production is tied to Joint Venture (JV) contracts, which constrain the optimal supply of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.

According to Reuters, an unnamed senior Dangote official said, “NNPC has allocated more cargoes to Dangote for May,” adding that, “While this will not completely meet our demands, it can help. We are also in negotiation with NNPC for more volumes.”

The increase in crude allocations to the 650,000 barrel per day refinery could also curb volumes of Nigerian crude available for export at a time when ​the Iran war has drastically cut supply from the Middle East.

Due to the shortfall in the crude-for-Naira policy, the company will still have to purchase crude at international benchmark prices. The company sources crude from Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Algeria, and the US, among others.

The official said Dangote ⁠recently had to pay premiums as high as $18 a barrel over the Brent crude benchmark to secure cargoes from the international ​market.

Since NNPC cargoes are cheaper for the ​refinery because of lower ​shipping costs. This could translate to higher fuel prices with Nigerians buying as high as N1,300 – N1,400 at the pump.

Fuel prices in Nigeria have reached record ⁠highs as Dangote has had to increase petrol depot prices by about 13 per cent in the last month.

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