Bitcoin’s Liquidity Landscape Shifts as Illiquid Supply Reaches Record 15.3 Million BTC
In a recent report by Glassnode, the Bitcoin market is undergoing a significant transformation in its liquidity dynamics, giving rise to speculation about potential consequences for the cryptocurrency’s future. The data reveals a remarkable shift in the way Bitcoin is being held and traded, and these changes could set the stage for a ‘short squeeze’ scenario with potentially substantial price surges.
According to Glassnode’s findings, the illiquid supply of Bitcoin has reached an all-time high, currently standing at 15.3 million BTC. This represents a staggering 78% of the total Bitcoin circulating supply, signifying a growing pool of steadfast, long-term investors committed to holding onto their digital assets.
Concurrently, the liquid Bitcoin supply has dropped to levels last witnessed in 2012, now totaling just 1.3 million BTC. This decline in readily available supply suggests a fundamental shift in the behavior of market participants, as more entities embrace a long-term holding strategy, aligning themselves with the expanding group of ‘illiquid entities.’
Furthermore, the highly liquid supply has significantly decreased over the past three years, falling from 3.7 million BTC in March 2020 to the current 2.9 million BTC. This trend signals reduced activity among traders or entities known for swift Bitcoin movements.
These evolving liquidity dynamics collectively indicate a constriction in Bitcoin’s active supply. As illiquid Bitcoin holdings increase, and the liquid and highly liquid supplies shrink, the stage is set for a potential ‘short squeeze’ scenario. In this scenario, available active supply may struggle to meet the growing demand from traders, often leading to rapid and substantial upward price movements as these traders rush to cover their short positions.
A ‘short squeeze’ is a situation in which traders who have bet on the price of an asset declining (known as shorting) are forced to buy the asset at higher prices to cover their positions. In the context of Bitcoin, the current liquidity trends suggest that if more traders shift towards long-term holding strategies and fewer are willing to sell or trade actively, there may be a shortage of Bitcoin available for purchase when demand surges.
This could create a perfect storm for a short squeeze, as traders who have shorted Bitcoin will scramble to buy it at any price to cover their positions. The resulting surge in demand could lead to a rapid and substantial increase in Bitcoin’s price.
The evolving dynamics of Bitcoin’s liquidity, with an expanding illiquid supply and diminishing liquid and highly liquid supplies, present a compelling narrative in the cryptocurrency market. While these trends may imply a transition towards longer-term holding strategies, they also raise the possibility of a short squeeze scenario that could trigger sharp upward price movements.
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