In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin (BTC) has reclaimed its bullish strength, marking a 2.47% rise and revisiting the $38,000 milestone, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Despite a brief pullback to $37,912 as of the latest update, the cryptocurrency’s upward momentum suggests growing odds of a breakout.
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Derivatives Traders Drive Momentum
This resurgence in Bitcoin’s price is accompanied by a notable increase in speculative activity among derivatives traders. Open Interest (OI) in BTC futures and perpetual futures contracts has surged by 4.22% in the last 24 hours, as revealed by Coinalyze data. The simultaneous rise in both price and Open Interest is often indicative of a strengthening bullish sentiment.
On-chain analyst Maartunn echoed these sentiments, stating that derivatives traders are actively attempting a breakout from the $37,000-$38,000 range. This speculative interest is not confined to retail traders alone, as evidenced by the significant surge in Open Interest in BTC futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), surpassing Binance to become the largest Bitcoin futures exchange.
Institutional Interest on the Rise
Institutional players are contributing to Bitcoin’s positive trajectory, with the number of BTC whales increasing steadily. According to Glassnode’s data, addresses holding at least $1,000 worth of BTC have surged by 11% since the mid-October rally began. Whales, known for trading in substantial amounts, wield considerable influence over price movements.
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The surge in institutional interest is further highlighted by the long positions taken by whales. Hyblock Capital’s Whale vs Retail Delta indicator reveals that, at the present moment, whales exhibit a higher long exposure compared to retail investors. This signals strong optimism among institutional players, who are strategically positioning themselves for potential further upside.
CME Emerges as Dominant Player
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s (CME) standard Bitcoin futures contract, valued at five BTC, has seen a remarkable 21% increase in Open Interest in November. This surge has propelled CME to surpass Binance and become the largest Bitcoin futures exchange. The growing Open Interest in CME serves as a barometer of institutional interest in digital assets, with expectations of a spot Bitcoin ETF approval acting as a catalyst for this growth.
Bitcoin’s recent resurgence, accompanied by increased derivatives activity, growing institutional interest, and a surge in the number of BTC whales, paints a bullish picture for the leading cryptocurrency. As the market eagerly awaits potential developments, including the much-anticipated spot Bitcoin ETF approval, Bitcoin’s resilience and the diverse factors driving its momentum underscore the cryptocurrency’s evolving role in the broader financial landscape. Investors and analysts alike are closely monitoring these indicators as Bitcoin continues to navigate the dynamic and ever-changing crypto landscape.