Bitcoin returns to $42K as bets start favoring ‘short squeeze’ higher for BTC

Share This Post

There is increasing reason to believe that surprise gains, not losses, for Bitcoin will be the conclusion of the current BTC price phase, say analysts.

Bitcoin (BTC) broke through $42,000 on Jan. 11 as expectations of a fresh “short squeeze” mounted.

BTC/USD 1-hour candle chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView

Short-term squeeze “reasonably likely”

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView followed BTC/USD as it recovered from Monday’s dip to $39,600 — its first breach of the $40,000 mark since September.

While short-term bullish prognoses were conspicuously absent on the day, attention focused on the potential for derivatives markets to spark another “short squeeze.”

With open interest near all-time highs despite the downturn and sentiment clearly favoring further downside, a surprise uptick could have the impact of “squeezing” short positions and providing some relief for bulls.

As on-chain analytics firm Glassnode noted in the latest edition of its weekly newsletter, “The Week On-Chain,” such an event is overdue. Longs have suffered almost constantly since November’s $69,000 all-time highs, and “squeezes” further occur when the market least expects a certain outcome.

“Short traders, who have not been punished for taking on increasing risk, may find themselves candidates for a near-term squeeze,” researchers forecast.

Such an event could well be amplified thanks to “tepid” demand for spot BTC and futures open interest leverage, which is approaching 2% of the Bitcoin market capitalization, Glassnode continued.

“Alongside very oversold indicators in on-chain spending activity, this suggests a short squeeze is actually a reasonably likely near-term resolution for the market,” the newsletter concluded.

Bitcoin futures open interest leverage ratio annotated chart. Source: Glassnode

For every short, there’s a long

Analysts, meanwhile, considered alternatives to the high open interest being removed via another leg down toward $30,000.

Related: ‘Most bullish macro backdrop in 75 years’ — 5 things to watch in Bitcoin this week

Despite no “wipeout” of open interest yet occurring, a surprise upside move could yet be the event that resets market composition, popular Twitter account Credible Crypto argued on the day.

“What if the major OI wipeout everyone is looking for ends up happening because of a squeeze to the upside rather than a move further down?” he quizzed in response to data from fellow analyst William Clemente.

“Happened in August ‘21 as we moved off the 30K bottom. Think we probs see that play out again. Bears bout to be wiped clean.”

Bitcoin futures open interest chart (Binance). Source: Coinglass

As Cointelegraph reported, $40,000 has been forming a significant price zone from multiple points over the past 12 months.

Read Entire Article
spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img

Related Posts

Dogecoin Is ‘Ready To Run Again’ – Analyst Expects 60% Rally

Dogecoin has entered a consolidation phase, holding below its recent local high of $048 Despite showing signs of bullish momentum, the price has struggled to break above key resistance levels,

Trump Confirms Paul Atkins As SEC Leader To Drive Pro-Crypto Policies

President-elect Donald Trump is set to nominate former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), reinforcing his commitment to a crypto-friendly

Crypto Boom Ahead? Trump’s SEC Chair Pick Points to New Era for Digital Assets

Donald Trump has nominated pro-crypto Paul Atkins as SEC chair, signaling a strong shift toward innovation-friendly policies and a transformative era for digital assets Crypto-Friendly Policies in

Trump confirms nomination of Paul Atkins as the new SEC chair

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Paul Atkins’ nomination as the next US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman in a Dec 4 Trust Social post  Trump stated that Atiks

President-elect Trump Officially Nominates Paul Atkins As The Next SEC Chair

The post President-elect Trump Officially Nominates Paul Atkins As The Next SEC Chair appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News The most anticipated question of who could be the next SEC Chair has

Donald Trump Officially Nominates Paul Atkins As The Next US SEC Chair

The post Donald Trump Officially Nominates Paul Atkins As The Next US SEC Chair appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News In the latest development, Donald Trump in a post on the Truth Social