Bitcoin struggles below $72.5K – Short-term holders sell at losses

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-03-29Last updated on 2026-03-29

Abstract

Bitcoin has been trading below the critical $72,500 realized price level (excluding inactive supply) for two months, indicating sustained bearish pressure. Analysts note that short-term holders are realizing significant losses, with an average of 5,000 BTC sold at a loss daily, exacerbating downward momentum. Historical patterns suggest Bitcoin could remain under pressure for several more months. Key support lies at Binance’s realized price of $60,490. Holding above this level is crucial to prevent further decline, while reclaiming $72,500 is necessary for any potential recovery toward the short-term holder realized price of $82,300. Market structure remains weak, with dominant selling pressure and limited bullish support.

Bitcoin has traded below Grand Trend’s Forecasting support level since January 2026. Since the trend’s breakdown, BTC has experienced strong bearish pressure, falling below both long-term and short-term realized prices.

Amid this extended, weakened structure, crypto analysts have expressed greater pessimism and projected a prolonged decline, citing realized price data.

Bitcoin continues to show cracks

According to Darkfost, BTC has held below the realized price that excludes inactive supply for two months.

The analyst noted that the realized price, after the adjustment, is approximately $72,500. These price levels now act as immediate resistance.

Source: Darkfost/X

Looking at the previous bear cycle, Bitcoin held below this cost basis between six and 10 months. If the historical pattern repeats, BTC could see more difficult months before reclaiming and flipping $72,500.

Typically, when market prices remain below realized prices, it means most buyers are holding at a loss. Often, an increase in the number of loss holders increases selling risk, which, if realized, results in more losses.

This is evidenced by the Short-Term Realized Price, which currently stands at $82.3k, according to Checkonchain data. This implies that recent buyers are currently sitting on significant losses, which increases the cohort’s capitulation risk.

Source: Checkonchain

In fact, realized losses for short-term holders have stabilized above $300 million per day, with an average of 5k BTC sold at a loss. On the 29th of March, the STH cohort reported a $372 million loss, confirming bearishness.

Historically, continued loss realization has further weakened the market, leading to extended price decline.

Can BTC avoid further slips?

Bitcoin has traded within a bearish structure for nearly five months and stayed below the realized price for two months, reflecting strong downside pressure.

As a result, ADV/DECL has declined below 50, dropping to 35.78, suggesting that most funds have entered a declining asset phase. This implies that sellers are largely dominating the market, and any attempted upside failed to materialize due to a lack of support.

Source: TradingView

Additionally, the EMA line hovered around 25-35, indicating stubborn weakness and further confirming the trend’s weakness. These market conditions leave BTC exposed to potentially more losses on its price charts.

Therefore, if the market price continues to hold the realized price while STH are selling, BTC could drop towards $62k. However, the realized price on Binance currently sits at around $60,490, providing the market with strong support.

Source: Cryptoquant

As long as BTC holds above this level, it will avoid further slip and give room for a reversal. But first, BTC must reclaim $72k and flip it, then target the STH realized price of $82k to see significant gains.


Final Summary

  • Bitcoin has held below $72,500, the realized price that excludes inactive supply, for two months.
  • BTC needs to hold above $60,490 to avoid further slippage and reclaim $72,500 to see any significant gains.

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Related Questions

QAccording to the article, what is the key resistance level that Bitcoin needs to reclaim to potentially see significant gains?

AThe key resistance level that Bitcoin needs to reclaim is $72,500, which is the adjusted realized price excluding inactive supply.

QWhat does the data show about the daily realized losses for short-term holders (STH) as of March 29th?

AOn March 29th, the short-term holder cohort reported a realized loss of $372 million.

QWhat is the significance of the market price trading below the realized price, as explained in the article?

AWhen the market price remains below the realized price, it means most buyers are holding at a loss, which increases the risk of selling and can lead to further price declines if that selling is realized.

QWhat is the strong support level identified for Bitcoin on the Binance exchange that could prevent further price slippage?

AThe realized price on Binance, which is approximately $60,490, is identified as a strong support level that could prevent further slippage.

QWhat historical pattern from the previous bear cycle is cited to project the potential duration of Bitcoin's current struggle?

AIn the previous bear cycle, Bitcoin held below its cost basis (realized price excluding inactive supply) for between six and ten months, suggesting the current struggle could last for several more months if the pattern repeats.

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