In a whirlwind 24 hours, Bitcoin’s surge past $46,000 led to a flurry of liquidations, totaling over $160 million in losses for traders holding short positions.
Short Squeeze Fallout
The rapid upward movement of Bitcoin resulted in 58,496 traders facing liquidations, amounting to a staggering $215.37 million in losses. The most significant single liquidation, totaling $9.44 million, occurred on OKX within a Bitcoin to USDT swap. Bitcoin shorts suffered the most, with $90 million in bearish bets liquidated, while Ethereum shorts also incurred losses, tallying up to $25 million.
Market Sentiment and Insights
The Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index surged to 76, reflecting ‘Extreme Greed’ in the market. However, analyst Jamie Coutts questions the rationale behind Bitcoin’s price surge, challenging the notion that it’s solely driven by pre-ETF hype. Coutts highlights network activity metrics that show Bitcoin's fundamental strength, despite its price being 40% below its peak.
On another front, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning against FOMO-based crypto investment strategies just before the anticipated ETF approval.
Current Price and Conclusion
As of the latest data, Bitcoin was trading at $46,864.34, marking a 6.77% increase on Monday.
The surge in Bitcoin’s price triggered substantial liquidations for short positions, raising concerns about market volatility amidst growing ETF expectations. Despite the enthusiasm, doubts linger regarding the core reasons driving Bitcoin’s surge, emphasizing the importance of assessing fundamental metrics alongside market sentiment.