Bitcoin Demand Is Picking Up, But The Bear Market Still Holds

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-01-18Last updated on 2026-01-18

Abstract

Bitcoin recently surged past $94,000, raising questions about a potential bull market return. However, analytics firm CryptoQuant asserts that Bitcoin remains in a bear market despite improving conditions. Although demand has become less negative and the price is approaching the 365-day moving average (around $101,000), it has not yet reclaimed this key technical level, which has historically acted as a resistance point during bear markets. On-chain data shows that while U.S. spot indicators briefly improved, ETF inflows remain weak and apparent demand has declined by approximately 67,000 BTC over the past month. Additionally, rising exchange inflows—reaching a seven-day average of 39,000 BTC—signal increased selling pressure. Thus, despite recent gains, Bitcoin is still considered to be in a bear cycle. As of writing, BTC is trading around $95,200 with little change over the past day.

The price of Bitcoin took the crypto community by surprise when it broke the resistance level around $94,000 over the past week. This has sparked questions on whether this was just a mere bear market rally or the bull run is back on track. Here’s what CryptoQuant, which called the bear market earlier, has to say about the latest Bitcoin price rally.

BTC Still In Bear Market Despite Improving Conditions: CryptoQuant

On Friday, January 16, blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant revealed in its latest report that the Bitcoin demand conditions are becoming less negative following the recent rally above $97,000. This on-chain observation comes a few weeks after the firm said the BTC apparent demand — at the time — was pointing to the start of a bear market.

The confirmation of the bear market came after the price of Bitcoin fell below the 365-day moving average — a level that has historically determined bull and bear phases. However, the premier cryptocurrency has been on an upward trajectory since breaking beneath this level, up by approximately 21% since late November 2025.

Source: CryptoQuant

In its research report, CryptoQuant noted that while the price of BTX is approaching the 365-day moving average, it has yet to reclaim the technical level, which currently lies around $101,000. The analytics firm further mentioned acts as a “regime boundary” during bear markets — as seen in past cycles, triggering price rejections before renewed downside.

In addition to the technical hurdles, CryptoQuant noted that while the Bitcoin demand conditions have improved “at the margin”, they still signal market weakness. “US spot indicators such as the Coinbase Premium briefly turned positive, while U.S. ETFs merely paused net selling after offloading ~54K BTC in November, rather than showing sustained accumulation,” the firm added.

CryptoQuant also highlighted that on-chain spot demand continues to decline, with apparent demand down by about 67,000 BTC over the past 30 days. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund inflows have broadly remained below levels often correlated with durable bullish market recoveries.

At the same time, the rising BTC exchange inflows do not spread optimism but rather increase downside risk. Data from CryptoQuant shows that transfers to centralized exchanges climbed to a 7-day average of approximately 39,000 BTC, the highest level since late November. According to the firm, this is a tell-tale sign of increasing sell-side pressure after relief rallies.

Going by this, it appears that while the market conditions are somewhat improving favorably for price, Bitcoin is still in the bear cycle that started less than two months ago.

Bitcoin Price At A Glance

As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $95,200, reflecting no significant movement in the past 24 hours.

The price of BTC on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Related Questions

QAccording to CryptoQuant, what key technical level is Bitcoin approaching but has yet to reclaim, and what is this level's significance?

ABitcoin is approaching the 365-day moving average, which is currently around $101,000. This level acts as a 'regime boundary' during bear markets and has historically triggered price rejections before renewed downside.

QWhat does CryptoQuant report indicate about the current state of Bitcoin's on-chain demand?

AThe report indicates that while Bitcoin demand conditions have improved 'at the margin', they still signal market weakness. On-chain spot demand continues to decline, with apparent demand down by about 67,000 BTC over the past 30 days.

QWhat did the firm say about the behavior of U.S. spot ETFs in relation to the recent price rally?

ACryptoQuant stated that U.S. ETFs merely paused net selling after offloading approximately 54,000 BTC in November, rather than showing sustained accumulation.

QWhat is the significance of the rising 7-day average of BTC exchange inflows, as highlighted by CryptoQuant?

AThe rising 7-day average of BTC exchange inflows, which climbed to approximately 39,000 BTC, is a tell-tale sign of increasing sell-side pressure after relief rallies and increases the downside risk.

QWhat was the primary reason CryptoQuant gave for confirming the start of the bear market less than two months ago?

AThe confirmation of the bear market came after the price of Bitcoin fell below the 365-day moving average, a level that has historically determined bull and bear phases.

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363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

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