Crypto Stablecoin Liquidity Shifts As Bear Market Deepens – What The Data Reveal
bitcoinistPublished on 2026-02-18Last updated on 2026-02-18
Abstract
The crypto market faces intense selling pressure as Bitcoin and Ethereum struggle to reclaim key levels, with on-chain data revealing significant shifts in stablecoin liquidity. Stablecoin reserves grew by $11.4 billion in the 30 days before November 5, 2025, but fell $8.4 billion by December 23 as bearish conditions intensified. Outflows have recently slowed to about $2 billion, suggesting potential stabilization, though recovery remains uncertain.
Binance dominates stablecoin liquidity, holding $47.5 billion in USDT and USDC—a 31% annual increase—accounting for 65% of all exchange reserves. USDT represents $42.3 billion of Binance’s holdings, while USDC reserves remain flat at $5.2 billion. Other exchanges like OKX ($9.5 billion) and Coinbase ($5.9 billion) lag significantly.
The total crypto market cap has retraced from late-2025 peaks near $4 trillion, testing support around $2.3 trillion. Trend indicators show a shift from expansion to consolidation, with subdued buying pressure and elevated selling volume indicating ongoing distribution. The broader uptrend depends on holding long-term support, with a breakdown risking a deeper correction.
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The crypto market continues to face intense selling pressure as both Bitcoin and Ethereum struggle to reclaim key psychological levels. Repeated rejection near resistance zones has reinforced cautious sentiment across the sector, with investors increasingly defensive after months of declining liquidity and volatile price action. While corrective phases are typical following strong bull market advances, the persistence of downside pressure suggests a more prolonged adjustment period may be unfolding.
Related Reading: Crypto Accumulation Narrative Builds After Record Binance COMP Withdrawal
On-chain data provides additional context for this shift in market dynamics. According to recent analysis, stablecoin reserve growth peaked shortly before the late-2025 price decline. In the 30 days leading up to November 5, reserves expanded by approximately $11.4 billion, reflecting strong liquidity availability and risk appetite at the time. However, this trend reversed quickly as market conditions deteriorated, with reserves falling roughly $8.4 billion by December 23 as the bear phase began to take shape.
More recently, the pace of outflows has moderated, with reserves declining by about $2 billion over the past month. This slowdown may indicate stabilization in liquidity conditions, though it does not yet confirm a sustained recovery. For now, the market remains sensitive to macro conditions, capital flows, and investor confidence.
Stablecoin Liquidity Concentration Highlights Binance’s Dominant Market Role
The data further shows that stablecoin liquidity remains heavily concentrated on Binance, reinforcing its role as the primary hub for crypto market liquidity. Current figures indicate the exchange holds roughly $47.5 billion in combined USDT and USDC reserves, marking a 31% year-over-year increase from about $35.9 billion. This concentration is significant, as Binance alone accounts for approximately 65% of all USDT and USDC held across centralized exchanges, highlighting its dominant position in facilitating trading flows and liquidity provisioning.
Other major exchanges lag considerably behind in stablecoin reserves. OKX holds around $9.5 billion, representing roughly a 13% share, while Coinbase maintains approximately $5.9 billion, or about 8%. Bybit follows with close to $4 billion, equivalent to roughly 6% of exchange stablecoin liquidity. These balances are distributed mainly across Ethereum and TRON networks, which continue to serve as the primary infrastructure layers for stablecoin settlement.
Within Binance itself, liquidity remains overwhelmingly USDT-driven. About $42.3 billion of its reserves are held in USDT, reflecting a 36% year-over-year increase from approximately $31 billion. In contrast, USDC reserves stand near $5.2 billion and have remained broadly flat over the same period, suggesting stable but limited growth compared with USDT dominance.
Related Reading: Ethereum Coinbase Premium Jumps – Is US Selling Pressure Finally Fading?
Total Crypto Market Cap Tests Key Structural Support
The total crypto market capitalization chart shows a clear corrective phase following the late-2025 peak near the $4 trillion region. Since that high, the market has retraced significantly, with capitalization recently stabilizing around the $2.3 trillion level. This area appears to function as an interim support zone, although price action remains fragile and characterized by reduced upside momentum.
Crypto Total Market Cap | Source: TOTAL chart on TradingView
From a trend perspective, the market has broken below shorter-term moving averages and is now interacting with longer-term trend indicators. This shift typically signals a transition from expansion to consolidation or correction. The inability to sustain rebounds above the mid-range moving average suggests that buying pressure remains subdued, while sellers continue to dominate rallies.
Related Reading: The Cycle Without A Ceiling: Why Bitcoin’s Missing Peak Rewrites The Rules For The 2026 Bottom
Volume dynamics reinforce this interpretation. Elevated selling volume accompanied the most recent decline, indicating active distribution rather than passive drift. However, the subsequent moderation in volume hints that panic selling may be easing, even if conviction buying has yet to return decisively.
Structurally, the broader uptrend remains intact only while capitalization holds above the long-term trend support zone. A sustained breakdown below this level would likely confirm a deeper cyclical correction, whereas stabilization here could support a prolonged consolidation phase before any renewed expansion in the crypto market.
Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
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Sebastian Villafuerte
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Sebastian's journey into the world of crypto began four years ago, driven by a fascination with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize financial systems. His initial exploration focused on understanding the intricacies of various crypto projects, particularly those focused on building innovative financial solutions. Through countless hours of research and learning, Sebastian developed a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, market dynamics, and potential applications of cryptocurrencies.
As his knowledge grew, Sebastian felt compelled to share his insights with others. He began actively contributing to online discussions on platforms like X and LinkedIn, focusing on fintech and crypto-related content. His goal was to expose valuable trends and insights to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Sebastian's contributions quickly gained recognition, and he became a trusted voice in the online crypto community.
To further enhance his expertise, Sebastian pursued a UC Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies certification. This rigorous program equipped him with valuable skills and knowledge regarding Financial Technology, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The certification deepened his understanding of the broader financial landscape and its intersection with blockchain technology.
Sebastian's passion for finance and writing is evident in his work. He enjoys delving into financial research, analyzing market trends, and exploring the latest developments in the crypto space. In his spare time, Sebastian can often be found immersed in charts, studying 10-K forms, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the future of finance.
Sebastian's journey as a crypto analyst and investor has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a dedication to sharing his insights. His ability to navigate the complex world of crypto, combined with his passion for financial research and communication, makes him a valuable asset to the industry. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, Sebastian remains at the forefront, providing valuable insights and contributing to the growth of this revolutionary technology.
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Related Questions
QWhat does the data reveal about the shift in stablecoin reserves leading up to and during the crypto bear market?
AThe data shows that stablecoin reserve growth peaked shortly before the late-2025 price decline, expanding by approximately $11.4 billion in the 30 days leading up to November 5. However, this trend reversed as the bear market took hold, with reserves falling roughly $8.4 billion by December 23. More recently, the pace of outflows has moderated, declining by about $2 billion over the past month, which may indicate a stabilization in liquidity conditions.
QWhich exchange holds the dominant share of stablecoin liquidity, and what are the specific figures?
ABinance holds the dominant share of stablecoin liquidity, with approximately $47.5 billion in combined USDT and USDC reserves. This represents a 31% year-over-year increase and accounts for roughly 65% of all USDT and USDC held across centralized exchanges.
QHow does the distribution of stablecoin reserves on Binance compare between USDT and USDC?
AOn Binance, liquidity is overwhelmingly dominated by USDT. About $42.3 billion of its reserves are held in USDT, reflecting a 36% year-over-year increase. In contrast, USDC reserves stand near $5.2 billion and have remained broadly flat over the same period.
QWhat is the current state of the total crypto market capitalization and its key support level?
AThe total crypto market capitalization has retraced significantly from its late-2025 peak near $4 trillion and has recently stabilized around the $2.3 trillion level. This area is functioning as an interim key support zone, though price action remains fragile with reduced upside momentum.
QWhat do the volume dynamics during the market decline indicate about investor behavior?
AThe volume dynamics indicate that elevated selling volume accompanied the most recent decline, which suggests active distribution by sellers rather than a passive price drift. However, the subsequent moderation in volume hints that panic selling may be easing, even though conviction buying has not yet returned decisively.
