Bitcoin Leverage Surges As Traders Bet On $70,000 Breakout

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-03-05Last updated on 2026-03-05

Abstract

Data from Glassnode shows Bitcoin's Open Interest, which tracks open perpetual futures contracts, saw its largest single-day spike since July 2025 as the cryptocurrency neared the $70,000 mark. This surge indicates a significant increase in speculative trading, with investors opening new positions betting on a breakout above $70,000. Although the initial attempt to break through failed and the price briefly pulled back toward $66,000, Bitcoin has since rallied strongly, surpassing $71,200. This sharp price movement triggered over $210 million in liquidations in the past 24 hours, predominantly affecting short positions. The substantial gap between Bitcoin's liquidations and those of other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum highlights that BTC is currently the focal point of market speculation.

Data shows the Bitcoin Open Interest witnessed its largest daily spike since July 2025 as the cryptocurrency’s price neared the $70,000 mark.

Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Open Interest Shot Up Recently

In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Glassnode has highlighted how the Bitcoin Open Interest witnessed a sharp jump recently. The “Open Interest” is an indicator that measures the total number of perpetual futures contracts related to BTC that are currently open on all derivatives platforms.

When the value of this metric rises, it means investors are opening up fresh positions on the market. Such a trend can be a sign that speculative interest in the asset is going up. On the other hand, the indicator registering a decline suggests investors are either pulling back on risk or getting liquidated by their platform.

Now, here is the chart shared by Glassnode that shows the trend in the daily percentage change for the Bitcoin Open Interest over the last year:

Looks like the value of the metric has observed a notable positive spike in recent days | Source: Glassnode on X

As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin Open Interest has seen a notably positive daily percentage change recently, indicating that the investors opened up a large amount of positions at once.

This spike, which happens to be the largest since July 2025, came as BTC rallied on Monday to levels close to $70,000. Generally, investors find price surges to be exciting, so it’s not unusual to see an uptick in speculative interest alongside them.

“Leverage expanded as price tested $69.4k,” noted the analytics firm. “This was consistent with speculators betting on a $70k breakout that didn’t materialize.” While the breakout initially failed when the bets appeared, BTC has since picked itself back up.

BTC Breaks $71,000, Shorts Face Mass Liquidations

Following its pullback down toward $66,000, Bitcoin has regained bullish momentum, with its price now hitting the $71,200 mark. The below chart showcases how the cryptocurrency’s trajectory has looked.

The price of the coin seems to have shot up over the past day | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView

The result of this rally has been that derivatives market traders have faced a significant amount of liquidations. As data from CoinGlass shows, more than $210 million in BTC-related contracts have been flushed during the last 24 hours.

The liquidation heatmap for the crypto sector | Source: CoinGlass

Since the liquidations were largely triggered by a price surge, it’s not surprising to see that short contracts made up for most of the liquidations (around $159 million). Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency, has also rallied inside this window, but there has been a large gulf between its liquidations and BTC’s, implying the latter is currently the center of market speculation at the moment.

Related Questions

QWhat does the 'Open Interest' indicator measure in the context of Bitcoin?

AThe 'Open Interest' indicator measures the total number of Bitcoin perpetual futures contracts that are currently open on all derivatives platforms.

QWhat was the recent spike in Bitcoin Open Interest significant?

AThe recent spike was the largest daily percentage increase in Bitcoin Open Interest since July 2025, indicating a large number of new positions were opened as the price neared $70,000.

QAccording to the article, what was the result of Bitcoin's price rally to $71,200?

AThe rally resulted in over $210 million worth of BTC-related contracts being liquidated in 24 hours, with short contracts making up the majority at around $159 million.

QWhy did the analytics firm Glassnode say the leverage expansion was consistent with speculators?

AThey stated it was consistent with speculators betting on a breakout above $70,000, a bet which initially did not materialize as the price pulled back before later rallying.

QHow did the liquidations for Bitcoin compare to those of Ethereum during this period?

AThere was a large gulf between them, with Bitcoin's liquidations being significantly higher, implying BTC was the current center of market speculation.

Related Reads

55TB to 28TB? The Rumor and Panic Behind Rubin's Memory Being Halved

Title: 55TB to 28TB? The Rumor and Panic Behind the Potential Halving of Rubin's Memory. On June 4th, a report from SemiAnalysis suggested NVIDIA's next-gen Vera Rubin NVL72 AI rack may ship with roughly 28TB of SOCAMM DRAM per rack instead of the anticipated 55TB, primarily using 96GB modules. This sparked a market panic, causing Micron's stock to drop over 10% on fears of halved memory demand. However, the article argues this panic is misguided for several key reasons. First, SOCAMM modules are socketed and upgradeable, not soldered. Lower initial configuration doesn't mean permanent demand loss. Second, the primary driver is a severe 2026 LPDDR5X supply shortage, not diminished need. NVIDIA is likely prioritizing rack shipments with available components. Third, with fixed total LPDDR5X supply, using less per rack could allow NVIDIA to ship *more* racks, not necessarily reducing overall memory orders. Micron's sharp drop was also attributed to a broader semiconductor sell-off triggered by Broadcom's earnings, with the SemiAnalysis report providing a convenient narrative for profit-taking after Micron's massive rally. In summary: the report on lower default configurations is likely accurate, but interpreting it as a demand collapse is wrong. The real risk for Micron lies in its reportedly minimal HBM4 share for Rubin, not in potentially flexible SOCAMM demand. The sell-off appears more like a correction amplified by coinciding negative catalysts.

marsbit18m ago

55TB to 28TB? The Rumor and Panic Behind Rubin's Memory Being Halved

marsbit18m ago

Exclusive from Yingke | Tang Wenbin's 'Yuanli Lingji' Merges with Logistics Robotics Company, and Secures Investment from Zhipu, SenseTime, Jieyue, and Others

Exclusive report: Embodied AI company "Yuanli Lingji" recently completed a new round of financing from major AI model firms including Zhipu AI, Stepfun, and SenseTime, alongside continued investments from industrial backers like Huaqin and SAIC Hengxu. Founded in March 2025 by Tang Wenbin, former co-founder and CTO of Megvii, Yuanli Lingji is a general-purpose embodied AI model company. In a notable move, the company has merged with logistics robotics firm "Atomix" (formerly known as Yuanli Juhe) through a share acquisition. Atomix, which originated from Megvii's logistics robotics business led by Tang in 2016 and was spun off in July 2024, has grown to become the world's second-largest supplier of pallet shuttle robots, with annual revenue nearing 1 billion RMB and over 500 projects globally for clients like Uniqlo and CATL. This merger aims to break the industry's "data deadlock" by combining Atomix's extensive real-world operational data from more than 20 countries with Yuanli Lingji's model training capabilities. The company's embodied AI model "DM0" utilizes a cross-domain training approach, integrating internet semantics, autonomous driving rules, and robotics data to achieve hardware-agnostic, precise manipulation even with a compact 2.4B parameter size. The collective investment from key AI players and the strategic merger signal a shift in the competitive landscape, as major model companies pivot from language tokens to physical actions ("from Token to Action"). The industry is entering a consolidation phase where hardware, AI models, data, and application scenarios converge to scale embodied intelligence, a trend mirrored by recent moves from giants like ByteDance and Skild AI.

marsbit26m ago

Exclusive from Yingke | Tang Wenbin's 'Yuanli Lingji' Merges with Logistics Robotics Company, and Secures Investment from Zhipu, SenseTime, Jieyue, and Others

marsbit26m ago

U.S. Stock Market Trends: Dow Hits New High, Nasdaq Falls, Whom Did Broadcom's Slap Wake Up?

U.S. Stocks Split: Dow Hits Record High as Nasdaq Slips; Broadcom's Plunge Sparks Rotation On June 4, the U.S. stock market saw a sharp divergence. The Dow Jones surged 875 points (+1.73%) to a record high of 51,561.93, while the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.09%. The S&P 500 rose 0.41%. The primary catalyst was a sharp sell-off in AI-related chip stocks, led by Broadcom (AVGO). Despite reporting a 143% year-over-year jump in AI semiconductor revenue to $10.8 billion, the company's shares plunged about 14%. This was triggered by its maintained long-term AI revenue target, which failed to meet heightened expectations for a stock that had gained 55% this quarter and traded at a high P/E ratio. The slide dragged down the broader semiconductor sector and the technology板块. Conversely, money rotated into sectors like Healthcare (+3.14%), Financials (+2.67%), and Real Estate (+1.87%). UnitedHealth and Goldman Sachs were major contributors to the Dow's gains. The rotation was attributed to a search for value outside overheated tech names and a slight dip in Treasury yields. In other major news, SpaceX confirmed its IPO for June 12, targeting a record $75 billion raise at a ~$1.75 trillion valuation. Additionally, initial jobless claims rose to a four-month high, adding nuance to the labor market narrative ahead of the key May non-farm payrolls report. The day's action signaled that while the AI growth story remains intact, excessive valuations are prompting a market reassessment. Funds are moving, at least temporarily, from high-flying tech to more defensive and value-oriented sectors. The sustainability of this rotation hinges on upcoming economic data, particularly the jobs report, and the market's absorption of the massive SpaceX IPO.

marsbit29m ago

U.S. Stock Market Trends: Dow Hits New High, Nasdaq Falls, Whom Did Broadcom's Slap Wake Up?

marsbit29m ago

From 'Old Dogs' to 'New Darlings': How AI is Revaluing Old Infrastructure, from Dell to Nokia

"Old Dogs" Become AI's New Darlings: Revaluing Legacy Infrastructure The AI investment narrative is shifting. Beyond the spotlight on core chipmakers like Nvidia, a new wave of interest is rising for legacy tech companies—Dell, HPE, Nokia, Cisco, Corning, Western Digital—once labeled as slow-growth, outdated stories. This resurgence stems from AI's evolution from model development to real-world deployment, creating massive demand for physical infrastructure. As AI moves into data center construction and enterprise adoption, the focus turns to who can actually build and deliver complex systems. These established players hold decades of experience in supply chains, integration, networking, and enterprise delivery—assets now critical for scaling AI. The revaluation can be grouped into three key infrastructure areas: 1. **Servers & Integration (e.g., Dell, HPE):** They are becoming essential system integrators, transforming GPUs into full-scale AI servers with networking, power, and cooling, then delivering them to clients. Strong recent earnings and AI-specific revenue/order growth for Dell and HPE underscore this shift. 2. **Networking & Connectivity (e.g., Corning, Nokia, Cisco):** As AI clusters grow, high-speed data transfer becomes paramount. Corning benefits from fiber demand for data center links, Nokia is exploring AI-integrated wireless networks (AI-RAN), and Cisco sees surging orders for data center switches—all critical for efficient AI operations. 3. **Storage (e.g., Western Digital, Seagate):** The AI data explosion requires vast capacity. Beyond high-speed memory (HBM), there's growing need for high-capacity HDDs to store training data, logs, video, and cold/archival data cost-effectively. This revaluation, however, is not a blanket endorsement. True reassessment requires concrete proof: AI-driven orders and revenue growth, upward revisions to company guidance, and sustainable improvements in profit quality, not just top-line sales. In essence, AI is not turning all old tech firms into high-growth stocks; it is selectively re-pricing the "old assets" of companies that are mission-critical for building the new AI infrastructure, transforming their legacy capabilities into renewed growth engines.

marsbit38m ago

From 'Old Dogs' to 'New Darlings': How AI is Revaluing Old Infrastructure, from Dell to Nokia

marsbit38m 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