Bitcoin has experienced a remarkable surge, climbing past the $86,000 mark and achieving a daily gain of 6%. This rally has propelled its market capitalization to an impressive $1.72 trillion, while simultaneously reducing year-to-date losses to less than 2%.
The recent price action was characterized by a massive short squeeze, with over $454 million in short positions liquidated within a 24-hour period. This indicates a strong buying momentum that has taken the market by surprise.
Bitcoin's climb began shortly after midmorning, building on momentum from the previous Friday when it reclaimed the $80,000 threshold. The cryptocurrency reached a session high of $86,332 before settling above $85,700, showcasing its resilience.
Market analysts note that the surge was fueled by buyers rather than new selling pressure, as taker flow on exchanges shifted from net selling to net buying. Additionally, futures open interest and funding rates indicate that leverage is increasing in the market.
Despite the bullish sentiment, ongoing ETF outflows of approximately $300 million per week continue to impact overall market sentiment. However, the overall trend remains positive as on-chain profitability rises and capital flows indicate new investments at higher price levels.