- Bitcoin funding rate chart has been flipping negative of late, signaling a shift in market sentiment.
- Shorts are paying longs, which often precipitates the creation of bullish momentum.
- A potential market correction or squeeze could be on the horizon.
Bitcoin (BTC) price remains on a load-shedding exercise, a sentiment that has spilled over to the broader market. Nevertheless, the bleed seen across the cryptocurrency market could end soon amid possible shifting market sentiment.
Also Read: Bitcoin price defends $60K as whales hold onto their BTC despite market dip
Funding rates flipping negative could be the silver lining for longs
After a prolonged downtrend in the market, fortunes could be starting to change as funding rates flip negative.
BTC funding rate
During a bearish market like the one currently at play, the funding rate shifting negative leads to short traders paying long traders. On the other hand, when the market sentiment is bullish, the funding rate becomes positive and long traders pay short traders.
Funding rates can reflect market sentiment and liquidity. A positive funding rate, where long position holders pay shorts suggests that traders are willing to pay a premium to bet on rising prices, which indicates bullish sentiment. A negative funding rate could mean bearish sentiment with shorts paying longs, suggesting that traders expect prices to fall.
If the bearish sentiment prevails, Bitcoin price could continue to fall, which would justify the negative funding rate. An overly negative funding rate for a prolonged duration, however, could cause a change in sentiment, causing a possible twist in the BTC price action to turn bullish.
The shorts could get squeezed, compelled to buy Bitcoin at a higher price in efforts to cover their losses as the BTC price rises unexpectedly. This unexpected surge in buying pressure can lead to even more price increases. The result would be a snowball effect where more short sellers rush to cover their positions. This can result in rapid and significant price spikes in the cryptocurrency market.
Open Interest, funding rate FAQs
Higher Open Interest is associated with higher liquidity and new capital inflow to the market. This is considered the equivalent of increase in efficiency and the ongoing trend continues. When Open Interest decreases, it is considered a sign of liquidation in the market, investors are leaving and the overall demand for an asset is on a decline, fueling a bearish sentiment among investors.
Funding fees bridge the difference between spot prices and prices of futures contracts of an asset by increasing liquidation risks faced by traders. A consistently high and positive funding rate implies there is a bullish sentiment among market participants and there is an expectation of a price hike. A consistently negative funding rate for an asset implies a bearish sentiment, indicating that traders expect the cryptocurrency’s price to fall and a bearish trend reversal is likely to occur.
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