Bitcoin’s price struggles to surpass $115,000 – Will a low-leverage strategy help?

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Bitcoin is currently facing a critical test as it struggles to maintain its value below the $115,000 mark. With a slight decrease in price by almost 2% over the last 24 hours, concerns have been raised regarding the confidence of short-term holders and the overall risk management strategies being employed in the market. However, the absence of heavy leverage selling points towards a somewhat stable market despite these uncertainties.

The price of Bitcoin is currently hovering around $113,616, reflecting a minor 1.34% daily loss and a 7% reduction from its peak value in mid-July. Analysts attribute this decline to spot market activities rather than a significant leverage-driven selloff, which typically results in more severe liquidations. Glassnode data suggests that total BTC liquidations are relatively low at $109.9 million, indicating that there is no substantial pressure from leverage in the market. The open interest-to-market cap ratio also remains steady, suggesting that derivatives traders are not in a panic mode.

Upon closer examination of Bitcoin’s technical analysis, vulnerabilities become apparent. On-chain data from CryptoQuant reveals a lack of robust support levels between $112,000 and $115,800. The rapid surge in BTC’s price in July has left little room for consolidation, leaving the price susceptible to sharp declines if current levels are not maintained. This “support gap” signifies the potential for a quick drop if the final support zone is breached.

Recent activity in Bitcoin’s Unspent Transaction Outputs (UTXOs) further indicates heightened sensitivity among investors. The ratio of UTXOs spent in profit versus loss has decreased from 10,000:1 to around 500:1, suggesting that short-term holders are more reactive to minor corrections, possibly due to risk management concerns or uncertainty about the market’s short-term performance.

Looking ahead, the long-term outlook for Bitcoin appears positive. The upcoming Bitcoin halving in 2025 continues to serve as a bullish narrative for investors looking to accumulate early. Institutional interest remains strong, with companies like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet making significant investments in Bitcoin. While retail traders may be apprehensive, institutional players are confident in Bitcoin’s future trajectory, as evidenced by large-scale acquisitions and continued interest in the cryptocurrency.

Moreover, recent data on Bitcoin whale activity and trader behavior suggest that most of the recent selling has been driven by short-term holders rather than long-term investors. This strategic selling, combined with low liquidations and modest open interest drawdowns, indicates that the market dip is more a result of spot selling rather than a cascading leverage-induced event.

In conclusion, Bitcoin’s current struggles below the $115,000 mark highlight the challenges facing the cryptocurrency. However, with institutional support, a lack of heavy leverage selling, and a long-term bullish narrative, Bitcoin may be poised for a rebound if macroeconomic conditions stabilize and spot buying activity returns.