Bitcoin’s current downtrend: Consolidation, not capitulation?
Key on-chain divergences suggest Bitcoin pullback is distribution, not panic.
BTC.D holds support despite back-to-back flash crashes, showing LTHs are treating the dip as an opportunity.
The market remains split on Bitcoin’s [BTC] next move.
On the bearish side, BTC’s failure to flip the $110k–$115k zone into strong support is raising capitulation concerns. Consequently, a deeper pullback below $100k is increasingly on the radar.
On the bullish side, BTC looks like it’s in a post-ATH distribution phase, signaling consolidation rather than a full-blown sell-off. According to AMBCrypto, a clear break either way will define BTC’s next directional bias.
The line between conviction and capitulation in this cycle is razor-thin.
As AMBCrypto noted, STHs (>155 days) are breaking even, with few taking losses, signaling localized capitulation. BTC’s 7.18% weekly pullback fits this panic-dump narrative, often a precursor to deeper bear phases.
However, CryptoQuant highlights two key divergences from previous cycle shocks that suggest this move is more distribution than panic. LTH-SOPR, for instance, sits near neutral, signaling measured profit-taking.
Source: CryptoQuant
For context, back in 2020 and 2021, LTH-SOPR plunged well below 1 for months, marking capitulation. This cycle, LTHs (>155 days) are showing conviction, treating the current pullback as a potential opportunity.
Backing this, Bitcoin’s exchange reserves continue to bleed, with nearly 10,000 BTC withdrawn just this week. This marks a major divergence from prior cycles, when ample supply amplified sell pressure during corrections.
All told, a confident LTH cohort paired with shrinking supply reinforces the accumulation narrative. This shows the market is maturing from short-term traders to LTHs, framing BTC’s pullback as structured consolidation.
Bitcoin’s resilience is evident in its relative strength.
Normally, two back-to-back crashes in a single month would have pushed strategic investors to rotate out and chase gains elsewhere. Yet, Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D) continues to hold support, marking a key divergence.
Unlike the Q2–Q3 cycle, when capital flowed into alts, this cycle remains BTC-led. In fact, the market is less than 20 points from triggering a full “Bitcoin Season,” reinforcing that conviction remains structurally strong.
Source: TradingView (BTC.D)
In this context, Bitcoin’s recent dip is shaping up as a prime entry point.
On-chain signals show the market is evolving into a BTC-centric structure, led by LTHs. This reinforces BTC’s role as a “store of value,” showing that capital is treating it as a core asset rather than a speculative play.
Disclaimer:
AMBCrypto’s content is meant to be informational in nature and should not be interpreted as investment advice. Trading, buying or selling cryptocurrencies should be considered a high-risk investment and every reader is advised to do their own research before making any decisions.
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