CVD Data Indicates Controlled Selling Dominance As Bitcoin Trades Around $88,000
Data on Bitcoin’s Estimated Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) on the Binance platform shows a total trading volume of approximately 101,258 units, confirming continued market activity and the absence of a liquidity shortage. However, the price change reading was negative at -6.24, reflecting limited price pressure without a sharp downward move.
The most notable element is the volume delta, which reached approximately -631,849, a relatively large negative reading indicating that market sell orders outweighed buy orders during the measured period. This behavior was clearly reflected in the CVD, which fell to approximately -180,615, confirming that net cumulative flows continue to favor sellers.
Despite these negative values in volume delta and CVD, the price did not exhibit a proportional decline, indicating strong absorption capacity within the order book. This type of discrepancy between price and volume flows is typically interpreted as controlled selling being absorbed by deeper liquidity, rather than a case of forced liquidation or widespread panic.
Structurally, Bitcoin’s continued trading above $88,000 while the CVD remains in negative territory suggests that the market is undergoing a repositioning phase rather than entering a clear downtrend. Such phases are often observed ahead of directional moves or a broader trading range, particularly if selling pressure persists without breaking key support levels.
the current figures reflect genuine but non-aggressive selling pressure, with a delicate balance between inflows and outflows, leaving the market in a state of heightened anticipation for any upcoming catalyst.
Bears Unchallenged: Leverage Reset Following the Drop From $128k
CryptoQuant data reveals that the 30-day Simple Moving Average (SMA-30) of Bitcoin short liquidations on Binance has plummeted to ~$1,200, a low not seen since September 2020.
This dramatic drop in liquidation volume occurs in a critical context: Bitcoin has undergone a severe correction from its All-Time High of ~$128,000 down to the current $88,000 range.
When short liquidations vanish following a $40,000 price decline, it signals two key market dynamics:
Bearish Dominance: Short sellers have ridden the trend down with virtually no resistance. The lack of liquidations implies there have been no significant relief rallies to squeeze out the bears, allowing them to hold or close positions profitably without force.
Market Leverage Reset: The speculative froth has been washed out. Reaching the lows of September 2020 suggests the market has entered a state of exhaustion.
This is the “silence after the storm.” The absence of short liquidations means there is currently no fuel for a “Short Squeeze.” For Bitcoin to reverse this downtrend and reclaim higher levels, it can no longer rely on cascading liquidations; it requires genuine, organic spot demand to rebuild momentum.
Bitcoin Taker Flow on Binance Shows Caution, Not a Bullish Breakout
Bitcoin taker flow on Binance suggests that recent price stability is not being driven by strong buying pressure. This metric tracks market orders and helps identify whether buyers or sellers are actively crossing the spread and setting short-term direction.
The latest data shows Binance’s 7-day net taker flow is still only slightly positive. Buyers are present, but their advantage over sellers remains small, keeping sentiment in the slight buying pressure zone. This tells us that participation exists, yet conviction is weak. The market is moving, but not with force.
Today’s reading reinforces this view. Net taker volume remains positive, but it is small compared to total volume. Buyers are willing to step in, though they are not chasing price aggressively. This behavior is very different from early bull-market phases, where strong and persistent taker buying absorbs sell pressure and pushes price higher with momentum.
From a market structure perspective, this reflects balance rather than strength. Sellers are no longer dominating the order book, but buyers are also not committing enough capital to take control. In past cycles, sustained bullish moves on Binance only emerged once 7-day taker flow expanded meaningfully and conviction increased, neither of which has happened yet.
For now, Binance taker flow points to stability without strength, suggesting the market is consolidating and waiting for stronger liquidity and more decisive participation before the next clear move.
Bitcoin Shows Signs of Macro Fatigue Amid Ongoing Leverage Reset
Recent quarterly performance highlights a clear shift in Bitcoin market structure. After a strong mid-2025 expansion phase marked by consistent positive quarterly returns, performance has turned negative in recent periods. This transition suggests the market has moved away from trend continuation and into a corrective or consolidation regime. Such shifts typically reflect weakening marginal demand rather than a structural breakdown, especially following an extended rally.
Drawdown analysis provides further context. Current pullbacks are approaching deeper historical correction zones, levels more commonly associated with cyclical resets than full-scale bear market capitulation. Price remains below the 1-year average drawdown, indicating that downside pressure is no longer brief or opportunistic. This environment often coincides with reduced risk appetite and more selective capital deployment.
Derivatives data reinforces this interpretation. The Futures Open Interest percent change oscillator shows repeated sharp contractions, signaling aggressive leverage unwinding. Large negative open interest shocks have consistently aligned with local price lows, implying that forced liquidations, rather than sustained spot selling, are driving recent volatility. This behavior is characteristic of leverage-driven corrections rather than broad capital flight.
Finally, the 90-day Market versus Realized Price Gradient Oscillator points to fading macro momentum. The gradient has spent increasing time below its baseline and near lower deviation bands, reflecting a loss of bullish impulse relative to realized price. Historically, this configuration aligns with late-cycle cooling phases, where price action becomes range-bound while the market works to rebuild a healthier cost basis. A durable recovery would likely require leverage stabilization alongside renewed spot demand.
Capital Rotation: BTC Struggles As Liquidity Shifts to Record-Breaking Gold and S&P 500
The investment market is currently a tale of two worlds. While precious metals and U.S. equities continue to hit all-time highs, Bitcoin’s on-chain data is flashing warning signs. A "confluence" of two core indicators reveals a deepening fatigue in the crypto market.
1️⃣ Institutional Exodus: The Coinbase Discount The Coinbase Premium Index remains deeply negative, hitting a periodic low of -0.169%. This indicates that selling pressure during U.S. trading hours far exceeds the global average. With the index turning positive only twice in January, this persistent negative premium serves as a strong signal of deleveraging by institutions and high-net-worth individuals.
2️⃣ Evaporating "Dry Powder": Capital Flight to Fiat Even more concerning is the contraction of stablecoin market caps. The top 12 stablecoins saw $2.24 billion (with a total peak-to-trough decline of $5.6 billion) vanish recently. This isn't a typical "rotation into stables" to buy the dip; it is a direct exit from the crypto ecosystem back into fiat currency. Without this "dry powder" standing by, any market rebound will lack necessary momentum.
Market Insight:
Caught between an institutional retreat and shrinking liquidity, the market is currently skewed to the downside.
Bear Case: If selling pressure intensifies, watch for a test of key structural supports: the True Mean Price at $81K, 2024 top at $70,000, or the 200-week MA at 58K.
Bull Case: A prolonged period of sideways consolidation to absorb overhead supply, remaining range-bound until stablecoin inflows return and new capital re-enters the fray.
XRP Trades Below 200-Day Average As Risk-Adjusted Metrics Signal Cautious Equilibrium
XRP data on Binance indicates a delicate state of cautious equilibrium in the market, with current values reflecting a combination of long-term structural weakness and limited short-term recovery attempts. According to the latest data, XRP is trading at around 1.89, while the 200-day moving average stands near 2.54, meaning the price remains approximately 25% below this average. This discrepancy clearly indicates that the overall long-term trend has not yet transitioned into a sustained uptrend, and that the market is still operating within a corrective range rather than a structural one.
From a risk-adjusted return perspective, the 30-day Sharpe Ratio registers a low value of 0.034, a reading very close to zero. This suggests that the return achieved over the past month offers minimal compensation for the level of risk assumed, reflecting a trading environment characterized by consolidation and a lack of clear directional conviction. Such readings typically emerge during rebalancing phases, when traders’ impulsiveness declines and the market becomes increasingly sensitive to changes in liquidity conditions.
Conversely, the Sharpe Z-Score shows a positive reading of approximately 0.70, indicating a relative improvement in return quality compared to the recent historical average. However, this level still falls short of the statistically significant threshold associated with strong trend formation. This implies that the market has partially recovered from prior pressures but has not yet entered a phase of clear risk-adjusted outperformance.
Meanwhile, the 7-day Sharpe Momentum, at around 0.03, reflects weak positive momentum in the short term. Although this indicator remains above zero, its modest level suggests that the current price behavior is more consistent with gradual consolidation or base-building, rather than a strong or impulsive price advance.
Bitcoin Is Not Financing the Gold Rally: Liquidity Is Still Waiting
A common narrative suggests that Bitcoin sell-offs are financing the rally in precious metals, particularly gold. On-chain data does not support this view.
The Stablecoin Supply Ratio (SSR) indicates that capital is not leaving the crypto ecosystem, but remains in liquidity, waiting for opportunities to enter Bitcoin.
What Does the Stablecoin Supply Ratio Measure?
The SSR measures the purchasing power of stablecoins relative to Bitcoin.
A lower SSR reflects higher latent purchasing power, while a higher SSR means liquidity has already been deployed into BTC.
Key SSR Levels
Historically, the SSR has moved within clear ranges:
Between 10 and 15: neutral zone, often linked to consolidation.
Below 10–11: high latent purchasing power, often preceding bullish phases.
These levels provide structural context, not timing signals.
Reading the Current Context
The SSR stands at 12.57, down from recent highs in the 18–19 range.
This reflects a shift from deployed liquidity to liquidity on hold.
Bitcoin’s price remains structurally stable, indicating that capital is not exiting, but waiting.
Diversification, Not Rotation from Bitcoin to Gold
The gold rally should not be interpreted as a direct result of Bitcoin selling.
Large capital allocators follow multi-asset diversification strategies, holding exposure to equities, precious metals, digital assets, and stablecoins.
The lower SSR confirms that capital is not rotating from Bitcoin into gold, but diversifying while keeping liquidity within the crypto ecosystem.
Conclusion
Bitcoin is not financing the gold rally.
Liquidity is waiting, not fleeing.
The Stablecoin Supply Ratio shows that capital remains sidelined in stablecoins, ready to re-enter Bitcoin. With the SSR at 12.57, the market is in a pause phase that has historically preceded clearer directional moves.
by Carmelo Alemán, On Chain Analist at Cryptoquant
FOMC Does Not Set Bitcoin’s Direction — It Resets Positioning
The FOMC announced on January 28, 2026 (U.S. time) that policy rates would be held at 3.75%, reinforcing a wait-and-see stance near neutral. Economic activity remains solid, the labor market shows signs of stabilization, and inflation is still somewhat elevated. The message was clear: there is no urgency to ease policy.
While FOMC decisions consistently attract attention in crypto markets, historical data shows that these meetings rarely define Bitcoin’s medium-term direction. Instead, they tend to function as positioning reset points.
Looking at FOMC meetings in 2025, Bitcoin’s 7-day performance after each decision was inconsistent. Rate-hold meetings produced mixed but relatively mild moves, while rate cuts in September, October, and December were followed by declines of roughly 6–8%. This suggests that outcomes were driven less by policy itself and more by market conditions going into the event.
Ahead of FOMC meetings, leverage and open interest often build as expectations become widely shared. Volatility compresses and liquidity thins, creating an appearance of stability. However, once the event passes and no new bullish catalyst emerges, markets shift into adjustment mode. Particularly during rate-cut cycles, easing expectations are frequently priced in beforehand, turning the decision into a trigger for profit-taking and position unwinds.
On-chain and derivatives data consistently show that post-FOMC moves are characterized by higher volume, wider spreads, and faster price swings. This reflects structural cleanup rather than a change in long-term trend.
The key takeaway is that FOMC meetings do not decide Bitcoin’s direction. They expose how crowded positioning has become and accelerate its resolution. Over the next 30 days, the critical signals will come not from policy rhetoric, but from whether leverage, selling pressure, and liquidity conditions normalize after the event.
Tether’s Anomalous Surge: Network Activity Peaks As Bitcoin Rejects $92k
Recent data from CryptoQuant reveals a fascinating divergence. While the 30-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) of Tether (ERC20) active addresses has gone parabolic, touching a record 300,000, Bitcoin failed to breach the critical $92k resistance and faced a pullback.
The key insight lies in combining this metric with the observed stablecoin outflows from exchanges. A surge in active addresses coupled with exchange outflows is typically not a signal of immediate buying pressure on Centralized Exchanges (CEXs). Instead, it points toward a capital rotation into DeFi protocols or Self-Custody wallets.
This behavior suggests that following Bitcoin’s correction, investors are not cashing out into fiat (leaving the market completely). Rather, they are choosing to hold liquidity in Tether and move it on-chain. The spike in network activity is likely driven by users seeking yield (farming) during market chopping or executing swaps on Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs). Liquidity hasn’t left the ecosystem; it is accumulating in the underlying layers of the Ethereum network, potentially waiting for the next clear trend to deploy.
Futures in Focus: Can Bitcoin Hold $90k Against Persistent Spot Pressure?
Bitcoin’s price action currently presents an intriguing divergence, holding steady around the $90k level despite Bybit exhibiting distinctive negative funding rates that imply a temporary but aggressive skew toward short-selling (image 1). This derivative pressure appears to coincide with weakness in the spot market, evidenced by a sustained negative Coinbase Premium that suggests persistent spot selling pressure (image 2). Consequently, the market's immediate trajectory will likely be determined by whether broader futures activity across other major exchanges aligns with this specific bearish flow or absorbs it, setting the stage for the next volatility expansion.
XRPL DEX Activity Hits Highest Level in Over a Year (Since Early 2025)
The XRP Ledger has started 2026 with remarkable on-chain momentum. The 14-day Moving Average (MA) of DEX Transaction Count has surged to 1.014 million, breaking a ceiling that has held since the beginning of 2025.
Reaching a 13-month high is a significant technical and fundamental milestone. It indicates that after a year of consolidation or steady usage in 2025, the network is experiencing a fresh wave of liquidity and user engagement. This isn’t just a momentary spike; the moving average confirms a sustained trend of increased trading activity on the decentralized exchange.
This breakout suggests that the XRPL ecosystem is maturing, with rising demand for token swaps and DeFi interactions as we move deeper into 2026. Historically, breaking such a long-standing resistance in on-chain activity often correlates with renewed market interest and potential positive price action for the native asset.
Bitcoin Deposits on Binance Surge As Recent Holders Take Action
📰 Daily Market Update:
The chart provides a deeper layer of analysis by breaking down BTC deposits into Binance based on coin age, meaning how long the coins stayed dormant before being moved to the exchange.
📊 [Bitcoin] Binance Exchange Inflow by Holder Age
This chart tracks BTC inflows to Binance, segmented by coin age — how long the BTC sat in wallets before being moved.
🔬 Key observation:
📈 Over the last few hours, Binance recorded a total inflow of 395 BTC, mostly from the 1W–1M age band.
⏲️ Notably, this is the second inflow event in January:
📅 January 15: ~52 BTC deposited
📅 Current event: 395 BTC deposited
📅 The last time a similar inflow from short-term holders occurred on January 15, Bitcoin was trading around $96,000.
Over the following 10 days, BTC gradually declined toward the $88,000 area.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Short-term Bitcoin holder inflows into Binance are not a macro top signal, but they are a valuable short-term risk indicator.
The current 395 BTC inflow from the 1W–1M cohort suggests that some recent buyers are choosing to reduce exposure.
Bitcoin Season Isn’t Over: LTH Accumulation Signals More Upside
Looking at the Realized Cap, we can see that it has surged sharply in this cycle and is now approaching Bitcoin’s Market Cap.
The first chart shows the full historical period, and the second chart focuses on the period after the COVID crash and the peak around the 3rd halving cycle.
(Bitcoin Realized Cap)
The fact that the Realized Cap has recently moved close to the Market Cap suggests that long-dormant Bitcoins have been transferred to exchanges and sold.
The third chart shows the buying and selling behavior of long-term holders.
(Bitcoin Long-Term Holder Net Position Change – 30D Sum)
In fact, OG whales seemed to want to end this 4th cycle in November.
As highlighted in the red box, they attempted a strong distribution phase, but failed and eventually stopped selling.
The red circle indicates that they have recently started accumulating again, albeit gradually.
Historically, whenever long-term holder accumulation has accelerated, a bull market has followed. This pattern can also be confirmed in previous cycles on the same chart.
This trend is further supported by the LTH Net Position Change on-chain metric.
Therefore, it is still highly likely that the Bitcoin cycle has not yet ended.
On-chain data indicates a simultaneous decline in ERC20 stablecoin and Bitcoin exchange reserves between January 18 and January 24.
All Stablecoins (ERC20): Exchange Reserve – All Exchanges decreased from $72.5B to $67.8B.
At the exchange level, All Stablecoins (ERC20): Exchange Reserve – Binance also dropped significantly from $48.5B to $44.4B.
Under normal conditions, concurrent outflows of stablecoins and Bitcoin from exchanges suggest reduced short-term sell pressure and improving supply dynamics. However, the current macro backdrop points to an alternative interpretation.
During the same period, precious metals experienced historic rallies, with gold reaching a new all-time high of $5,280 and silver surging to a record $114. Rising geopolitical tensions, including the risk of military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, have reinforced a global risk-off environment, driving capital toward traditional safe-haven assets.
Within this context, part of the stablecoin outflows—particularly from a major exchange like Binance—may reflect capital rotation from crypto markets into gold and silver, rather than immediate reinvestment into crypto spot markets.
Therefore, while declining exchange reserves remain structurally supportive for crypto, confirmation of a bullish scenario requires additional validation from spot trading volumes, cross-market capital flows, and global risk sentiment indicators.
Risk-Off: Reading Pressure in a Stress Environment
Both indicators are aligned. Both flashing caution.
The Composite vs BTC Risk Oscillator sits at 52—firmly in risk-off territory. The On-Chain Pressure Oscillator shows elevated stress at 34+, converging with bear market levels and local bottoms.
This isn't divergence. It's confluence on the stress side.
📊 The Pattern We're Living Through
The Risk Oscillator is doing its job—the last risk-off signal came October 22nd, just before a massive drawdown. The indicator caught it accurately.
But we're back in risk-off territory again. Trends aren't persisting long enough to build sustained momentum. We get the signal, the move happens, then we return to stress before real follow-through develops.
The environment isn't allowing for conviction. Signals are accurate, but the macro backdrop keeps pulling us back into caution.
⚠️ What I'm Watching for the Shift
The Pressure Oscillator (30d SMA) sits around 34. For a proper recovery trend—not just a bounce—this needs to cross below zero. That threshold confirms selling exhaustion is real, not temporarily paused.
We're seeing significant selling pressure now, which pushed this indicator up considerably. It's converging with local bottoms and bear market levels, telling us the market is under genuine stress.
Historical context: March 2023 saw Pressure cross below zero after sustained risk-off. A 40% rally followed over three months as both indicators flipped favorable.
Right now, both are aligned on stress. Both need to flip before confirmed trend change.
💬 Why These Two Work Together
The Risk Oscillator reads macro risk appetite. The Pressure Oscillator reads on-chain selling behavior — coins moving at a loss.
When both align on stress (now): patience required.
When both align on recovery (Pressure <0, Risk flips risk-on): trend-following setups improve.
We're not there yet. Time will reward the patient.
--
Note: Trend-following signals, not mean reversion. Different approach for different phases.
Cycle Metrics and Moving Averages Point to Bitcoin Trend Rebalancing on Binance
Data from Binance indicates that Bitcoin’s price behavior is currently undergoing a clear rebalancing phase, as shown in the chart combining price action, moving averages (30-, 90-, and 200-day), and cyclical indicators such as Cycle Return and the Z-Score. This combination allows for a deeper reading of market structure beyond short-term price movements.
Bitcoin is currently trading near $89,000, a level below the 200-day moving average (around $104,000) and close to the 30- and 90-day moving averages. This consolidation reflects a transitional phase in the trend: the market does not show clear structural weakness, but it has not yet confirmed a return to long-term bullish momentum. Historically, movement between these moving averages is often associated with base formation and liquidity repositioning.
From a cyclical perspective, the data shows the market is approximately 114 days into the current cycle and about 648 days since the last halving event. This timeframe is typically characterized by elevated volatility and slower price momentum, with the market tending to trade within wide ranges rather than making rapid upward moves. This behavior aligns with current market volatility without a decisive trend breakout.
The Z-Score is registering a slightly negative reading of approximately -0.5, suggesting that the price is not in a historically overbought zone and does not indicate overstretched conditions. Such readings are often interpreted as a favorable environment for continued accumulation, especially in the absence of strong selling-pressure signals.
The chart reveals a clear and recurring behavior. When the Whale Ratio rises, price reactions typically unfold in three stages. In the first stage, price remains strong while the Whale Ratio increases. During this phase, price often continues to rise or moves sideways because selling pressure has not yet been priced in.
In the second stage, as the Whale Ratio reaches elevated levels and stays high, distribution from the top begins. Price usually forms a local top and enters a sharp correction. The higher and more persistent the Whale Ratio, the stronger the downside reaction that follows.
The third stage is characterized by increased volatility. Sudden pullbacks and sharp wicks appear, making conditions risky for long positions.
When the Whale Ratio is at low levels, selling pressure is minimal. Price either moves sideways in an accumulation phase or starts a controlled upward trend. Especially after the Whale Ratio forms a bottom, price tends to consolidate briefly before breaking to the upside. Low Whale Ratio consistently creates a foundation for bullish moves.
Looking at the current situation, the Whale Ratio is neither at extreme highs nor at historical lows. It remains above its SMA(100) but within a manageable range. This suggests that whales are no longer engaging in aggressive selling, instead opting for gradual distribution. As a result, price action reflects a sideway to mildly bearish structure rather than a full accumulation phase.
At this Whale Ratio level, the probability of a sharp dump is low, but the likelihood of a strong rally is also limited. Upside moves are likely to remain corrective, while declines progress in a sideways manner. A decisive trend change would require a sharp move in the Whale Ratio either upward or downward. Given ongoing institutional involvement, such a shift does not appear likely in the near term.
The key driver for the next major price move will be the direction in which the Whale Ratio breaks from here.
Stablecoin Liquidity: Rails Shift, Not a Market Exit
A drop in ERC-20 stablecoin supply is often framed as “liquidity leaving crypto.” The numbers tell a different story: Liquidity is moving across networks.
What happened (with dates)
USDT (TRC-20, Tron)
• Jan 19, 2026: 82,434,679,540
• Jan 20, 2026: 83,434,679,540
• Change: +1.0B USDT in one day
This was a direct mint on Tron.
Ethereum (ERC-20)
• USDT ERC-20: -3.0B
• USDC ERC-20: -3.55B
• Total: ≈ -6.5B stablecoins removed from Ethereum
Timing matters: The TRC-20 increase came right after the ERC-20 contraction.
What it means:
This isn’t a clean “exit to fiat.” It’s a shift in where liquidity sits and how it’s used.
• USDT mainly supports derivatives, OTC settlement, and tactical liquidity - and it regularly migrates to cheaper rails
• USDC is more tied to spot activity and on-chain settlement, making it a cleaner proxy for spot-demand conditions
When USDT + USDC shrink on Ethereum while USDT expands on Tron, the simplest read is: Liquidity is changing rails, not disappearing.
Interpretation:
• Liquidity remains inside the crypto system
• Demand for Ethereum-based settlement has been softening over time
• Positioning looks more defensive, with a preference for derivatives and parked liquidity over spot accumulation
So falling ERC-20 stablecoin supply is:
• Bearish for Ethereum on-chain activity
• Neutral-to-bearish for spot-driven risk
• Not evidence of capital leaving crypto entirely
Bottom line: Stablecoins didn’t vanish - they moved rails 🧸 DYOR