Bitcoin: Why shorting BTC is the smarter option right now

The market continues to be risk-off, pattern path is shaky, and key helps are barely hanging on. Consequently, worth motion has grow to be closely trader-driven, making this sort of market chop best for leveraged performs.

Notably, Bitcoin [BTC] is the place the juicy “risk-reward” lies. In reality, Bitcoin’s Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) is ticking again up towards 0.22, signaling that merchants are loading up once more and leaning into volatility.

Backing this up, Lookonchain flagged a dealer on a seven-day heater shorting BTC, banking over $22 million in earnings. Briefly, liquidity is tightening, successfully pushing BTC right into a self-reinforcing suggestions loop.

Supply: Glassnode

From a macro angle, the positioning is sensible. 

We’re heading into the second half of December with a stacked macro calendar. First up is the employment information, adopted by the roles report, after which the BOJ assembly, all potential volatility triggers for threat property.

In reality, since 2024, every Financial institution of Japan (BOJ) fee hike has triggered a double-digit dump in Bitcoin, and with the market at present pricing in a 25 bps transfer, it’s no marvel that BTC’s quick liquidity is increasing noticeably.

Consequently, this places Bitcoin bulls in a difficult spot. The query now could be whether or not they will play it sensible and place cautiously, or in the event that they’re strolling straight right into a bull entice that might catch late lengthy merchants off-guard.

Bitcoin leverage skew leaves late-longs susceptible

Bitcoin’s technical setup leans towards cautious optimism.

On the weekly chart, BTC is chopping between $88k and $91k, which appears to be like like a textbook consolidation vary. Nonetheless, the actual query is whether or not this base is being constructed on spot shopping for or on speculative positioning.

Notably, CryptoQuant’s spot vs. derivatives quantity ratio factors to the latter. In reality, the ratio has slipped to round 0.1, the bottom stage in almost three months, exhibiting that derivatives exercise is closely dominating spot flows.

Supply: CryptoQuant

Briefly, leverage, relatively than natural demand, is driving BTC proper now.

Towards this backdrop, a packed macro week, Bitcoin shorts deep in revenue, historic sell-offs tied to BOJ, and thin spot bids are organising a textbook long-squeeze situation, with long liquidity clusters more and more uncovered.

Therefore, from a positioning standpoint, Bitcoin shorts look well-placed.

Ultimate Ideas

• Bitcoin’s vary is being held up by leverage, not spot demand, making worth motion fragile and extremely delicate to liquidations.
• Macro catalysts and crowded late-long positioning depart Bitcoin shorts higher positioned.