US Institutions Resume Bitcoin Buying As Coinbase Premium Flips Green

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-01-16Last updated on 2026-01-16

Abstract

US institutions have resumed Bitcoin buying activity as indicated by the Coinbase Premium Gap flipping positive amid a price surge toward $97,000. This metric, which tracks the price difference between Coinbase (favored by US institutional investors) and Binance, had been negative for weeks, suggesting American whales were selling or not buying. The recent shift to a premium suggests renewed accumulation by US entities. However, the move is still brief, and sustainability remains uncertain given a similar pattern earlier in the month failed to hold. The rally also triggered significant short liquidations, peaking near $90 million. Bitcoin is currently trading around $96,500, up 8% over the past week.

Data shows the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Gap has turned positive, a sign that American whales have been buying alongside the price surge.

Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Gap Has Surged Recently

As pointed out by CryptoQuant author IT Tech in an X post, the Coinbase Premium Gap has observed a shift as BTC’s latest price rally has occurred. The “Coinbase Premium Gap” measures the difference between the Bitcoin price listed on Coinbase (USD pair) and that on Binance (USDT pair).

This indicator is useful for knowing how the userbases of the two cryptocurrency exchanges differ when it comes to BTC buying/selling behavior. There is some overlap in the traffic of these platforms, but Coinbase, being the preferred exchange of US-based investors, particularly large institutional entities, gives movements on it a distinct character from Binance’s globally distributed userbase.

Now, here is the chart shared by IT Tech that shows the trend in the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Gap over the past month:

The value of the metric appears to have turned positive recently | Source: @IT_Tech_PL on X

As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Gap has mostly been inside the negative territory during the last few weeks, indicating that the cryptocurrency has been trading at a lower price on Coinbase compared to Binance. In other words, the American whales have potentially been applying a larger amount of selling pressure or a lower amount of buying pressure than Binance users.

BTC has witnessed a recovery rally during the past few days, and initially, the Coinbase Premium Gap remained inside the red zone, but with the latest leg to $97,000, a shift has occurred. With the indicator now inside the green zone, it would appear possible that the US institutional investors have resumed accumulation of Bitcoin after a near-consistent phase of selling over the past month.

For now, though, the surge into the positive region is still brief, so it only remains to be seen whether the American investors will continue to back the bullish price action in the coming days. Earlier this month, a similar trend developed when Bitcoin saw a rally above $94,000. The Coinbase Premium Gap took a green shade late in that surge, but what followed was a plunge back into the negative zone and a fizzling out for the price rally.

In some other news, the BTC price surge has resulted in a significant amount of short liquidations in the futures market, as analytics firm Glassnode has highlighted in its latest weekly report.

The data for the BTC short liquidations that have taken place over the last several weeks | Source: Glassnode's The Week Onchain - Week 2, 2025

From the chart, it’s visible that Bitcoin short liquidations saw a sharp peak nearing $90 million when BTC first pushed into the $96,000 region during this rally.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $96,500, up nearly 8% in the last seven days.

Looks like the price of the coin has surged over the last few days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

Trending Cryptos

ctr
CitreaCTR
wstusdt
wrapped stUSDTWSTUSDT
apr
aPrioriAPR
ctx
Cryptex FinanceCTX
audio
AudiusAUDIO
comp
CompoundCOMP
mantra
MantraMANTRA
waxl
AxelarWAXL
bill
Billions NetworkBILL
pyth
PYTH (Pyth)PYTH
rune
THORChainRUNE
velodrome
Velodrome FinanceVELODROME
brev
BrevisBREV
cake
PancakeSwapCAKE
jst
JUSTJST

Related Questions

QWhat does the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Gap turning positive indicate about US institutional investors?

AThe Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Gap turning positive indicates that US institutional investors have resumed buying or accumulating Bitcoin, as the price on Coinbase (favored by US investors) is higher than on Binance, suggesting stronger buying pressure from American entities.

QHow is the 'Coinbase Premium Gap' defined and what does it measure?

AThe 'Coinbase Premium Gap' is an indicator that measures the difference between the Bitcoin price listed on Coinbase (USD pair) and the price on Binance (USDT pair). It highlights differences in buying and selling behavior between the user bases of these two exchanges.

QWhat was the trend of the Coinbase Premium Gap in the weeks prior to the recent price surge?

AIn the weeks prior to the recent price surge, the Coinbase Premium Gap was mostly negative, indicating that Bitcoin was trading at a lower price on Coinbase compared to Binance, suggesting greater selling pressure or weaker buying pressure from US investors.

QWhat significant event in the futures market occurred as a result of the BTC price surge, according to Glassnode?

AAccording to Glassnode, the BTC price surge resulted in a sharp peak in short liquidations in the futures market, nearing $90 million when Bitcoin first pushed into the $96,000 region.

QWhat is the current price of Bitcoin and its weekly performance at the time of writing?

AAt the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $96,500, reflecting a gain of nearly 8% over the past seven days.

Related Reads

Michael Saylor: 'We Never Said We Would Never Sell Bitcoin'

Michael Saylor stated that his company never made a commitment to never sell its bitcoin holdings, though it expects to remain a net buyer of bitcoin long-term. His comments came following reports that the company had received new authorization to sell up to $5 billion in bitcoin. Saylor clarified that this authorization is not new and was announced on June 29th as part of the company's capital management strategy. He emphasized that the authorization permits but does not obligate sales for specific purposes and that no new approval has been announced. Saylor also noted the company never officially adopted a "bitcoin will never be sold" policy.

cryptonews.ru19m ago

Michael Saylor: 'We Never Said We Would Never Sell Bitcoin'

cryptonews.ru19m ago

The 'Summer Saw' Continues: A Break Above $67,000 Could Signal the Start of Bitcoin's Rally

Bitcoin continues to consolidate within a $58,000–$67,000 range, with its price dropping to $62,217 on August 1st. Analysts are divided on the next direction. Trader Crypto Candy suggests a potential drop towards $60,000 if the price remains below $66,000. Investor Jelle refers to the prolonged sideways movement as a "summer saw" and maintains a dollar-cost averaging strategy. The key upside scenario hinges on a breakout above $67,000. Daan Crypto Trades states that without this, the movement risks being just an extended pause. Roman projects a sharper rise to $70,000–$80,000+ if a breakout occurs with sufficient volume. Macro-analyst Gert van Lagen views this as an accumulation phase within a multi-year "cup and handle" pattern. He notes that long-term holders are refusing to sell, as indicated by the NUPL metric staying far from capitulation. In summary, the market is in an accumulation phase, with the $60,000 and $67,000 levels being critical. A break above $67,000 could initiate significant growth, while a fall below $60,000 may lead to further decline. The recent pullback shows that legislative catalysts have provided only short-lived momentum, raising questions about the sustainability of any future breakout attempts.

cryptonews.ru34m ago

The 'Summer Saw' Continues: A Break Above $67,000 Could Signal the Start of Bitcoin's Rally

cryptonews.ru34m ago

Must-Watch Events Next Week｜CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

**Summary: Key Events and Developments to Watch (August 3-9)** The upcoming week is marked by significant financial disclosures, key legislative deadlines, and notable product updates. **Major Financial Events:** Several companies are scheduled to release their Q2 2026 earnings. American Bitcoin (ABTC) will report on August 3, followed by SpaceX and Hut 8 Mining Corp. on August 4, and Circle on August 5. Notably, a significant portion of SpaceX shares (up to 12% of total shares) will be unlocked on August 6 following their earnings release. **Key Legislative Deadline:** The U.S. Senate faces an August 7 deadline to secure 60 votes for the CLARITY Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to establish a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The Senate may hold a full vote on the bill during the week. **Economic Data:** The U.S. July Non-Farm Payrolls report will be released on August 7, providing crucial labor market data. **Technology & Product Updates:** * **Shutdowns:** DeFi portfolio tracker Zapper and wallet app Ctrl Wallet will cease operations on August 3. * **Upgrades:** LayerZero will deprecate its v1 relayers on August 3. XRP Ledger's new version 3.3.0, featuring five new functions, is expected next week. * **AI:** Elon Musk announced that the advanced Grok 4.6 AI model is set for release around August 7. * **Bitcoin:** The BIP-110 forced signaling for a potential Bitcoin network change is scheduled to begin around August 8. **Other Notable Events:** Chinese robotics firm Unitree Tech has set its preliminary price inquiry for its IPO for August 5. South Korean exchange Upbit will delist AQT and AERGO tokens on August 3.

marsbit1h ago

Must-Watch Events Next Week｜CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

marsbit1h ago

Stocks Are Plummeting More Sharply Than Cryptocurrencies. Where Has the Money Gone?

Stock Markets Plunge Deeper Than Cryptocurrencies: Where Did the Money Go? In late July, Seoul's Kospi index triggered circuit breakers for two consecutive days, plummeting over 40% from its June high. The collapse was led by heavyweight stocks like SK Hynix, whose record profits still disappointed investors, and devastating leveraged ETFs, with one major product losing over 83% of its value. This signaled a global, forced deleveraging targeting the most crowded trades. Interestingly, while stocks exhibited extreme volatility akin to crypto markets, Bitcoin rose nearly 15% in July after a prior steep drop. Analysis shows the money fleeing equities did not flow into Bitcoin. Instead, Bitcoin had already absorbed its sell-off in May-June, when U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw historic outflows. The true safe-haven beneficiary was gold, whose price rose over 20% year-on-year, highlighting a decoupling between Bitcoin and gold as "digital gold." The sell-off was a targeted unwinding of leveraged positions in tech and semiconductors, accelerated by broker-dealer risk management and shifts in the AI narrative, including new competition from Chinese memory chipmakers. The retreat path was clear: from high-valuation tech stocks to cash and U.S. Treasuries, then to gold. For Bitcoin to attract sustained institutional inflows, conditions like eased global liquidity pressure, a "soft-landing" Fed rate cut, and U.S. regulatory clarity via legislation like the stalled CLARITY Act are needed. Currently, Bitcoin is not a safe haven but an already-cleared asset. Its low correlation with tech stocks, however, makes it a potential diversification play for institutional portfolios once the storm passes. The money isn't here yet, but the positioning is underway.

marsbit1h ago

Stocks Are Plummeting More Sharply Than Cryptocurrencies. Where Has the Money Gone?

marsbit1h ago

In Conversation with Ray Dalio: We Are Currently in an AI Bubble, with 1% of My Portfolio in Bitcoin

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns in an interview that the current AI boom shows classic bubble characteristics, which could lead to significant economic downturns as seen in past cycles like 1929 or 2000. He explains that speculative enthusiasm, fueled by debt and overvaluation, often precedes a crash when rising rates or taxation force asset sales, causing widespread losses and recession. Dalio also outlines his "Big Cycle" theory, describing an approximate 80-year pattern where widening wealth gaps, massive government deficits, and shifting geopolitical power (like China's rise) create internal conflict and global instability. He emphasizes that we are in a late-cycle, transitional phase where traditional powers like the US and UK face decline. For personal wealth protection, Dalio advises diversification beyond cash into assets like stocks, bonds, real estate, and particularly gold, which he prefers over Bitcoin. While he holds about 1% of his portfolio in Bitcoin as a non-printable hard asset, he views gold as more secure from technological or governmental threats. Regarding AI's impact, Dalio believes it will disproportionately benefit capital owners, worsening inequality by replacing both physical and cognitive labor. He suggests that human intuition and emotional intelligence, combined with AI, will be key for future workers. On taxation, Dalio argues that wealth taxes are impractical and risk triggering asset sell-offs, reducing productive investment. He points to the UK as a cautionary example of debt, low productivity, and political strife. Geopolitically, Dalio foresees a more regionalized world, with the US showing weakness in prolonged conflicts like with Iran, akin to past imperial declines. The ideal outcome, he suggests, is coexisting powerful blocs (e.g., Americas, China-Asia Pacific) without major war.

marsbit5h ago

In Conversation with Ray Dalio: We Are Currently in an AI Bubble, with 1% of My Portfolio in Bitcoin

marsbit5h ago

Trading

Spot

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

1.4k Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片

Top Questions