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Options market split on bitcoin’s outlook

Options market split on bitcoin’s outlook

Market participants are unsure whether the leading cryptocurrency will test new price highs before year-end, QCP analysts noted

They observe that big players are simultaneously adding call positions targeting $112,000–$150,000 while taking profit by selling spreads around $135,000–$140,000. 

The divergence points to uncertainty over bitcoin’s ability to clear key resistance levels in the coming months. The backdrop is worsened by continued selling from long-term holders and outflows from exchange-traded funds. 

Even so, QCP highlights the market’s resilience. Hints of an end to the US shutdown were the key catalyst for the latest rebound, they say. 

‘Ancient’ bitcoin wallets 

In November, long-term investors in the leading cryptocurrency showed their highest level of activity since July, said CryptoQuant contributor Arab Chain. 

Coins aged 7–10 years stood out. Such ‘ancient’ holdings are typically moved only amid fundamental shifts in the market, the analyst noted. 

According to Arab Chain, activity by long-term whales usually acts as a short-term warning, signalling a readiness to take profit after a long period of dormancy. 

“This traditionally marks a turning point—either the start of a broad correction or institutional reallocation ahead of a new phase of growth,” the analyst stressed.

The current set-up, however, looks more balanced. Older coins are hitting exchanges while new investors hold their positions, tempering selling pressure. 

A key factor is bitcoin stabilising around $106,000. That suggests a period of ‘quiet’ redistribution rather than a broad sell-off. 

In the expert’s view, a continued balance between supply from ‘ancient’ wallets and demand from newer entrants “could lay the groundwork for accumulation and a subsequent rally”. 

Outflows from spot bitcoin ETFs 

After the latest session, exchange-traded funds backed by the leading cryptocurrency lost $558 million. The biggest outflows were from Fidelity’s FBTC (-$256 million), Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB (-$144 million) and BlackRock’s IBIT (-$131 million).

Dynamics of outflows and inflows in spot bitcoin ETFs. Source: SoSoValue

In total, from 31 October to 8 November, $1.17 billion was withdrawn from digital-asset investment products.

Cumulative inflows since the launch of bitcoin ETFs have fallen to $59.9 billion. At the end of October, the figure exceeded $62 billion. 

What next?

At the time of writing, digital gold trades around $106,100. The price is up 3.9% over the past 24 hours. 

Hourly chart of BTC/USDT on Binance. Source: TradingView

Glassnode noted the next key level is $108,500, a zone that “has historically served as resistance during recovery moves.” 

Clearing that threshold would be an important signal for further upside. 

According to the analyst known as Darkfost, the resilience of the current trend would be confirmed if bitcoin closes the day above $107,500. 

He noted that for a month bitcoin has traded below the short-term holders’ (STH) realised price, “putting them under significant pressure.” The latest bounce looks more like a technical correction to reset the RSI than a true trend reversal, he stressed. 

“This week’s news may act as a catalyst, but, as history shows, last time the price spent about two months below the STH realised price before a full recovery. For now, caution is warranted,” he concluded.  

QCP’s analysts reckon the most likely near-term scenario for digital gold is sideways trade. Attempts to push above $118,000 will be capped by selling from ‘ancient’ addresses, in their view. 

A durable recovery will require stabilising inflows into exchange-traded funds and reduced activity by long-term holders, the experts concluded. 

Earlier, JPMorgan specialists predicted bitcoin would rise to $170,000 by year-end. At the same time, Galaxy Digital lowered its annual forecast for the leading cryptocurrency to $120,000. 

One of the firm’s experts, Alex Thorn, said investor interest in digital gold has diminished. 

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