Crypto Unrealized Losses Hit $350 Billion, With $85 Billion From Bitcoin Alone

bitcoinistPublished on 2025-12-13Last updated on 2025-12-13

Abstract

On-chain data reveals the cryptocurrency market's total unrealized losses have surged to $350 billion, with Bitcoin alone accounting for $85 billion of that amount. This spike follows recent bearish price action, with the metric measuring the extent of underwater holdings across the market. Analysts from Glassnode suggest these significant losses, alongside shrinking liquidity indicators, signal the market is entering a high-volatility period. In a contrasting trend, Bitcoin and Ethereum showed divergent exchange flows: Bitcoin saw net withdrawals of $1.34 billion from exchanges, while Ethereum experienced net deposits of $1.03 billion, which can be a bearish signal. Bitcoin's price has retreated to around $90,000 after failing to hold above $92,000.

On-chain data shows the Unrealized Loss in the crypto market recently ballooned to $350 billion, with Bitcoin accounting for a significant part of it.

Unrealized Loss Has Spiked In The Crypto Sector After Bearish Price Action

In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Glassnode has shared the data related to the Unrealized Loss in the crypto sector. This indicator measures, as its name suggests, the total amount of loss that investors are holding on their tokens right now.

The metric works by going through the transaction history of each token on a given network to find what price it was last moved at. If this last selling price of a token was less than the current spot price of the asset, then that particular coin is assumed to be underwater.

The exact amount of the loss involved with the token is equal to the difference between the two prices. The Unrealized Loss sums up this value for all coins being held at a loss.

Like the Unrealized Loss, there also exists the Unrealized Profit, keeping track of the supply of the opposite type. That is, it accounts for the coins with a cost basis lower than the latest spot price.

Now, here is a chart that shows the trend in the Unrealized Loss for the combined crypto market and Bitcoin over the last few years:

The value of the metric appears to have shot up for both the entire market and Bitcoin in recent months | Source: Glassnode on X

As displayed in the above graph, the Unrealized Loss across the crypto market has surged following the downturn that the sector has gone through since October.

At its peak, the indicator hit a value of $350 billion for the entire market, with Bitcoin alone contributing about $85 billion. These are both elevated levels and showcase the degree of pain among the investors.

Glassnode explained:

With multiple on-chain indicators signalling shrinking liquidity across the board, the market is likely entering a high-volatility regime in the weeks ahead.

In some other news, Bitcoin and Ethereum have shown strong divergence in the Exchange Netflow trend this week, as institutional DeFi solutions provider Sentora has pointed out in an X post.

How key metrics have compared between Bitcoin and Ethereum this week | Source: Sentora on X

As is visible above, the Bitcoin Exchange Netflow registered a significant value of -$1.34 billion over the past week. The value being negative implies centralized exchanges faced net withdrawals.

In contrast, the same indicator has witnessed a sharp positive value of $1.03 billion for Ethereum instead. Usually, investors deposit to exchanges when they want to participate in one of the services that they provide, which can include selling. As such, large exchange net inflows can be bearish for the asset’s price.

BTC Price

Bitcoin has again failed to maintain its recovery above $92,000 as its price is back to $90,000.

The trend in the BTC price over the last five days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

Related Reads

Nvidia's Wednesday Earnings Night: The Battle That Decides the Fate of the AI Bull Market is Here

NVIDIA is set to report its quarterly earnings after the U.S. market closes on Wednesday, May 20. This event is widely seen as a crucial test for the current AI-driven bull market. The semiconductor sector is exhibiting severe technical overbought conditions, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) trading approximately 60% above its 200-day moving average—the most extreme deviation since the dot-com bubble peak of 1999/2000. Market sentiment is highly concentrated on a few AI-related stocks, raising concerns about overall market breadth. Analysts highlight a key contradiction: while fundamentals for AI and semiconductors remain strong, significant technical pressures are building. Option market activity reflects this tension. Positions are heavily skewed towards bullish calls, yet there is also notable hedging activity through put options on broad indices and sector ETFs, signaling preparation for potential downside volatility. An unusual pattern of rising stock prices alongside rising implied volatility further underscores the market's expectation for a major move. For NVIDIA specifically, the market's primary focus will be on its forward guidance for the next quarter, which is deemed more critical than the immediate earnings results. Despite a recent seven-day rally adding roughly $1.7 trillion in market cap, historical data shows NVIDIA's stock has often declined the day after its past five earnings reports. The outcome of this report is expected to have a significant ripple effect across the broader technology and semiconductor markets, given NVIDIA's pivotal role.

marsbit11m ago

Nvidia's Wednesday Earnings Night: The Battle That Decides the Fate of the AI Bull Market is Here

marsbit11m ago

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Positions

Harvard University's endowment fund, managed by Harvard Management Company (HMC), recently disclosed significant reductions in its cryptocurrency holdings. According to its latest 13F filing, HMC sold its entire position in the BlackRock Ethereum Spot ETF (ETHA) and reduced its stake in the BlackRock Bitcoin Spot ETF (IBIT) by 43% in Q1 2026. This marks a sharp reversal from its peak holdings of $443 million in crypto assets just two quarters prior, bringing the current value to approximately $117 million. Analysis suggests these sales likely resulted in substantial losses. Estimates indicate HMC's Bitcoin ETF trades incurred a roughly 28% loss (over $100 million), while its brief Ethereum position fell about 35% (over $30 million), totaling potential losses exceeding $150 million. The timing of HMC's trades—aggressively adding to Bitcoin near its all-time high in late 2025 and buying Ethereum just before a market downturn—has drawn criticism as potential "buying high and selling low." However, the context points to broader pressures. Harvard faced a $113 million operating deficit in FY2025 due to cuts in federal research funding and a significant tax increase on endowment income. With much of its portfolio locked in illiquid private equity and hedge funds, the highly liquid crypto ETFs presented the most straightforward assets to sell for liquidity and risk management. Furthermore, HMC's Bitcoin ETF holding had grown to 20% of its public portfolio by Q3 2025, prompting necessary rebalancing. The move contrasts with other institutions like Mubadala (increasing Bitcoin ETF holdings) and Dartmouth College (maintaining and diversifying crypto exposure). Ultimately, Harvard's actions appear driven by a confluence of fiscal stress, liquidity needs, and portfolio risk control rather than a simple market-timing strategy, highlighting how traditional institutional risk calculus applies even to volatile crypto assets.

marsbit23m ago

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Positions

marsbit23m ago

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Holdings

Harvard University's endowment fund, Harvard Management Company (HMC), significantly reduced its cryptocurrency holdings in Q1 2026, reportedly incurring substantial losses. According to its latest 13F filing, HMC completely sold off its position in the BlackRock Ethereum ETF (ETHA) and cut its BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) holdings by 43%, leaving a position worth approximately $117 million. This marks a sharp decline from a peak public crypto allocation of $443 million just two quarters prior. Analysis suggests these trades resulted in estimated losses exceeding $150 million, with Bitcoin positions sold at an average loss of around 28% and Ethereum positions at roughly 35%. The moves have sparked debate on whether HMC engaged in counterproductive "buy high, sell low" behavior. The article contextualizes HMC's crypto journey, beginning with its initial disclosed investment in IBIT and gold ETF GLD in Q2 2025 as an "inflation hedge." Aggressive buying in Q3 2025 made IBIT its largest single public holding at 20% of the portfolio, coinciding with Bitcoin nearing all-time highs. Subsequent trimming began in Q4 2025, with an initial foray into ETHA. Explanations for the recent drastic cuts extend beyond market timing. Harvard faces significant financial pressure, including an annual operating deficit and a major increase in endowment tax rates. With illiquid assets like private equity dominating the portfolio, the highly liquid crypto ETFs became the most practical source for necessary portfolio rebalancing and liquidity. Furthermore, the impending retirement of HMC's CEO adds a layer of reputational risk to holding volatile assets. The article contrasts Harvard's retreat with other institutions, such as Mubadala's continued accumulation of Bitcoin ETFs and Dartmouth's expansion into staking-oriented crypto products. It concludes that HMC's actions reflect a complex interplay of fiscal needs, risk management, and institutional constraints rather than simple speculative trading, highlighting how traditional finance logic applies to crypto within large endowment portfolios.

链捕手29m ago

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Holdings

链捕手29m ago

WSJ: Unveiling the Secret Jury That Controls Disputes on Polymarket

Last month, Garrick Wilhelm lost a $567 bet on the Polymarket prediction platform about whether a ceasefire would be reached with Hezbollah. When a truce was announced, some traders argued it counted, but Wilhelm disagreed. The dispute was settled not by Polymarket, but by a decentralized group of UMA token holders who vote on such disagreements. As trading surges, resolving ambiguous outcomes is a growing challenge for prediction markets. Unlike competitors like Kalshi that decide internally, Polymarket outsources dispute resolution to UMA. Its token holders, mostly anonymous and with voting power weighted by holdings, arbitrate cases. Critics argue this system is prone to manipulation, as voters can also bet on the same markets they judge. A Wall Street Journal analysis found that over the past year, at least 60% of active UMA voters had corresponding Polymarket accounts and held positions in disputes they voted on. Voting power is also concentrated among a few large holders. Polymarket says only 0.2% of bets go to UMA and that the system disperses authority. Its founder has acknowledged flaws and promised fixes. UMA's backers deny any proven manipulation, dismissing critics as sore losers. The platform penalizes voters in the minority to incentivize "correct" outcomes. Disputes are rising, covering topics from a streamer's pregnancy announcement to Iran. This model also helps Polymarket argue it's an offshore platform outside U.S. regulation, a shift made after a 2022 settlement with the CFTC. Some losing traders have formed groups to protest, targeting entities like UMA.rocks, which aggregates votes. Its founder says traders often blame UMA for their own mistakes. A recently ousted committee member, Scout, admitted to both betting and voting but argued involved voters research more thoroughly. He highlighted the dilemma: "Either you have conflicted traders deciding, or you have uninformed outsiders voting. There is no perfect answer right now."

marsbit1h ago

WSJ: Unveiling the Secret Jury That Controls Disputes on Polymarket

marsbit1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

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.

363 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