As Bitcoin appears to slide below $70,000, a wave of panic is settling among short-term speculators. In just a few hours, nearly 54,000 BTC
As Bitcoin appeared to slip below the $70,000 threshold, a wave of panic seemed to grip short-term speculators. Within a span of just several hours, nearly 54,000 BTC, valued at approximately $3.76 billion at the time, were moved to exchanges, marking one of the largest sell-offs in recent months. This massive influx of assets into exchanges signaled a negative dynamic for the market, particularly among short-term holders. Faced with the volatility, these investors opted to swiftly liquidate their positions.
However, a deeper analysis of the on-chain metrics revealed that this liquidation did not occur under optimal conditions for sellers. The net profit ratio, or SOPR (Spent Output Profit Ratio), for short-term holders (STH) had fallen below 1, indicating a neutral balance. Furthermore, with a SOPR below 1, many speculators were indeed selling their assets at a loss, likely hoping to minimize potential declines as signals of volatility continued to amplify.
“This drop in SOPR reflects a loss of confidence among these short-term investors,” noted Glassnode in its analysis. Indeed, they were turning to reactive sell-offs in the face of an ongoing correction, yet without the prospect of an immediate rebound.
Meanwhile, the outlook for the broader market remained significant. This large-scale withdrawal of BTC by short-term speculators could have important implications for the medium-term price stability of the Bitcoin ecosystem. With this influx of coins to exchanges, the risk of price “downtrend” toward lower levels persisted.
According to CoinGlass, which tracks order books, selling liquidity appeared to accumulate around the levels of $68,000, creating a potential zone of resistance. This pressure could slow a potential rebound, making the situation even more delicate for traders hoping for a quick recovery in prices. For some observers, this volatility was being exacerbated by external factors, including economic concerns surrounding the upcoming U.S. elections and new employment data influencing risk markets.
In the current climate, the prospects for Bitcoin remained uncertain, and caution was advised among investors. Keith Alan of Material Indicators, a crypto analyst, noted that similar episodes of “derisking” were observed before the elections in 2016 and 2020. He highlighted that “the price has never retested the low levels established in the week preceding the election,” a trend that could offer a glimmer of optimism. However, vigilance was key, as a rapid market turnaround was unlikely. Historical trends and key economic indicators suggested a fragile dynamic that could persist beyond election deadlines.
The recent massive sell-off, orchestrated by short-term speculators, further illustrated the volatility inherent to Bitcoin and, more broadly, to cryptos. This wave of sales could certainly present buying opportunities for more long-term investors, but it also highlighted the risks involved in speculative movements. In an uncertain global context, where economic policy and international events strongly influenced these assets, it was essential to keep in mind that patience and a long-term strategy could prove rewarding for those looking to navigate this storm.
