According to BlockBeats, CryptoQuant analyst Crypto Dan has observed a notable shift in the Bitcoin market dynamics. Unlike previous cycles characterized by rapid price surges and a significant influx of short-term holders, the current market remains unusually calm despite price increases. The proportion of Bitcoin held for one week to one month is significantly lower than in past cycles, indicating a lack of explosive new capital and participants.
The change is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the nature of liquidity has evolved. The bull market of 2020–2021 occurred under an exceptional macroeconomic environment of near-zero interest rates and aggressive quantitative easing. Currently, the market is experiencing high interest rates and liquidity tightening, making large-scale price surges more challenging.
Secondly, the market's leadership has shifted from retail investors to institutions. Since the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, the market has become more structured, with institutional capital exerting increasing influence. This has resulted in a "stair-step" gradual increase in Bitcoin prices, contrasting with the rapid and frenzied rallies of the past.
As a result, the market appears more cautious. Given these structural changes, some on-chain indicators suggest that the current cycle may have peaked. This cycle might not follow the traditional "boom-bust" pattern. Instead, the market could be entering a longer, more complex structure. ETF inflows continue, and the macroeconomic environment may gradually ease, suggesting that 2025 could still offer significant market opportunities.