Bitcoin Funding Rates Hit Highest Level Since January 2026

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-18Last updated on 2026-08-18

Abstract

Bitcoin funding rates have hit their highest level since January 20, 2025, reaching 0.0228 on August 14. These rates, periodic payments between traders to align perpetual contract prices with the spot price, have remained predominantly positive since late May 2026, indicating a market heavily skewed toward long positions. Concurrently, the 7-day simple moving average of Bitcoin's open interest has risen to a two-month high of $22.79 billion. Historical data suggests that such a combination of high funding rates and rising open interest has previously preceded price declines, as seen in early 2025 when BTC fell over 25%. Currently, analysts note BTC could rally toward $76,000 if it holds above $67,200. However, a break below the $62,300 support level might trigger a long squeeze and a correction down to $53,000.

Over the past seven weeks, the price of Bitcoin ($BTC) has been in a state of uncertainty, while the cost of leveraged long positions has reached its highest level since January 20, 2025.

According to CryptoQuant, analyzed by Happy Coin News, Bitcoin funding rates—periodic payments made by traders holding long and short positions to peg perpetual contract prices to the spot price—reached 0.0228 on August 14. This is the highest level since January 20, 2025, when they stood at 0.02775.

Bitcoin funding rates have remained predominantly positive since May 26, 2026. Note that extended periods of positive funding rates coincide with the dominance of long positions, and vice versa.

The open interest for $BTC—the 7-day simple moving average (SMA), which measures the total number of active derivative positions over the past seven days—rose to its highest level in two months, reaching $22.79 billion, CryptoQuant data shows.

The last time Bitcoin funding rates rose to such levels against a backdrop of increasing open interest, the price of $BTC subsequently fell. Specifically, in January 2025, it was at $102,198, but by April 8, 2025, it had dropped 25.37% to $76,276.

Nevertheless, $BTC may now be on the verge of a rally towards the $76,000 resistance level, which would be facilitated by stable holding above the $67,200 mark, according to an analysis by former hedge fund manager Axel Kibar.

However, if the price of $BTC falls below the $62,300 support level, the analyst predicts a correction to $53,000. Such a sell-off could be triggered by a "long squeeze," where falling prices force long holders to sell, accelerating the decline.

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