BTC Market Pulse: Week 29

insights.glassnodePublished on 2026-07-13Last updated on 2026-07-13

Abstract

Bitcoin prices recovered from recent lows, entering a bullish phase, but with signs of a lack of broad conviction. Spot trading volume fell 21.5% and spot CVD turned negative, suggesting the rally is driven by thin liquidity. Derivatives markets show a mix: perpetuals reflect bullish sentiment with a funding premium, yet aggressive buying has cooled and options skew points to sustained demand for downside protection. A positive signal comes from institutional flows, as US Spot ETFs returned to net inflows, though trading volumes suggest this demand is measured, not speculative. On-chain activity remains weak, with low active addresses and fees indicating poor organic demand. However, the holder base is resilient, with supply concentrated among long-term investors. Overall, Bitcoin is consolidating. Improving institutional inflows and holder resilience provide a constructive base, but subdued spot participation, weak on-chain activity, and defensive options positioning indicate the market lacks the conviction for a broad-based advance.

Bitcoin extended its recovery from the recent sell-off, reclaiming ground after establishing fresh local lows. While price momentum has shifted into bullish territory, spot trading volume has contracted by 21.5% and spot cumulative volume delta has turned negative, suggesting the advance has been driven by relatively thin liquidity rather than broad-based buying conviction.

Derivatives markets present a similarly mixed picture. Perpetual futures traders continue to pay a premium for long exposure, reflecting constructive sentiment, yet aggressive buy-side volume has cooled materially. At the same time, options markets remain defensively positioned, with the 25-delta skew approaching its upper statistical range, signalling that investors continue to accumulate downside protection despite the recent rally.

Institutional positioning offers a more constructive signal. Following a period of sustained outflows, US Spot ETFs have returned to net inflows, pointing to a gradual recovery in strategic capital allocation. However, the moderation in ETF trading volumes suggests this demand remains measured rather than speculative, reinforcing the view that recent strength has not yet been accompanied by broad market participation.

On-chain activity remains subdued. Active addresses and fee generation continue to trend lower, highlighting weak organic network demand despite higher prices. Meanwhile, rising hot capital share suggests short-term, price-sensitive capital is becoming more active, a dynamic that has historically preceded periods of elevated volatility.

The holder base nevertheless remains resilient. The low ratio of short-term to long-term holder supply indicates ownership is still concentrated among conviction-driven investors. Profitability has improved, with both unrealised and realised gains rising, although persistent realised losses suggest many participants continue using strength to de-risk rather than add exposure.

Overall, Bitcoin remains in a consolidation regime. Improving institutional inflows, resilient holder positioning, and recovering profitability provide a constructive backdrop. However, subdued spot participation, weak on-chain activity, and continued demand for downside protection suggest the market has yet to transition into a broad, conviction-led advance.


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Exchange balances presented are derived from Glassnode’s comprehensive database of address labels, which are amassed through both officially published exchange information and proprietary clustering algorithms. While we strive to ensure the utmost accuracy in representing exchange balances, it is important to note that these figures might not always encapsulate the entirety of an exchange’s reserves, particularly when exchanges refrain from disclosing their official addresses. We urge users to exercise caution and discretion when utilizing these metrics. Glassnode shall not be held responsible for any discrepancies or potential inaccuracies.

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Related Questions

QWhat is the main contradictory signal between Bitcoin's price momentum and spot trading activity mentioned in the report?

AThe main contradictory signal is that while Bitcoin's price momentum has shifted into bullish territory, spot trading volume has contracted by 21.5% and spot cumulative volume delta has turned negative, suggesting the price advance is driven by thin liquidity rather than broad-based buying conviction.

QAccording to the report, what do the trends in options markets and ETF volumes indicate about current institutional and investor sentiment?

AOptions markets show a defensive sentiment, with the 25-delta skew near its upper range, indicating continued demand for downside protection. Meanwhile, while US Spot ETFs have returned to net inflows, the moderation in their trading volumes suggests institutional demand is measured and strategic, not speculative.

QWhat does the report suggest about Bitcoin's on-chain network demand and the type of capital becoming more active?

AThe report states that on-chain activity remains subdued, with active addresses and fee generation trending lower, highlighting weak organic network demand. However, the rising hot capital share suggests short-term, price-sensitive capital is becoming more active, which has historically preceded periods of elevated volatility.

QHow does the report characterize the current behavior of Bitcoin's holder base and their profitability?

AThe holder base is characterized as resilient, with ownership concentrated among conviction-driven investors, as indicated by a low ratio of short-term to long-term holder supply. Profitability has improved with rising unrealized and realized gains, but persistent realized losses suggest many participants are using price strength to de-risk rather than increase their exposure.

QWhat is the overall conclusion of the report regarding Bitcoin's current market regime?

AThe overall conclusion is that Bitcoin remains in a consolidation regime. Constructive factors like improving institutional inflows and resilient holder positioning provide a positive backdrop. However, subdued spot participation, weak on-chain activity, and continued demand for downside protection indicate the market has not yet transitioned into a broad, conviction-led advance.

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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.

769 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

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