Bitcoin is currently trading just under the $100,000 psychological threshold, maintaining a sideways trajectory in recent weeks. At the time of writing, the asset trades at $97,005, reflecting a modest 2.6% gain over the past seven days and a 3.3% increase in the last 24 hours.
While volatility remains subdued, recent on-chain data highlights a steady rise in investor activity that could hint at future price movement.
Bitcoin Investor Confidence Reflected in On-Chain Metrics
CryptoQuant contributor Carmelo Alemán has outlined an ongoing trend that points to sustained investor interest. In a recent QuickTake post, Alemán noted that Bitcoin’s Realized Cap, representing the aggregate value of coins based on their last movement, has reached an all-time high for the third consecutive week.
The metric, calculated by multiplying each unspent transaction output (UTXO) by its purchase price, rose to $890.7 billion, indicating growing capital inflow into the asset.
According to Alemán, the consistent climb in Bitcoin’s Realized Cap demonstrates a continuation of accumulation by both long-term and short-term holders.
The increased capital invested in BTC over the past few weeks suggests that market participants are positioning themselves for a potential price breakout. This pattern of capital inflow may be laying the groundwork for a stronger bullish phase if sustained investment continues.
Long-Term Holders (LTHs) and Short-Term Holders (STHs) appear to be increasing their stakes during this consolidation period. Alemán emphasized that the rising Realized Cap does more than reflect price, as it also captures market conviction.
The metric signals a growing belief in Bitcoin’s longer-term value proposition when paired with steady accumulation trends. If historical patterns repeat, the market may be in the early stages of forming a new uptrend.
Coinbase Premium Gap Signals Localized Pressure
Despite the on-chain optimism, other indicators suggest reasons for caution. Another CryptoQuant analyst, Abramchart, recently highlighted the Coinbase Premium Gap as a sign of regional bearish sentiment.
The gap, which was at -5.07 at the time of reporting, means Bitcoin is trading lower on Coinbase, an exchange largely dominated by US investors, compared to global platforms. This negative gap is often interpreted as an indicator of selling pressure from American participants.
Abramchart noted that although the premium had previously recovered, the recent decline aligns with Bitcoin’s failure to push beyond the $97,000 level.
Persistent negative values in the premium gap typically signal weak demand in the US market, which could act as a headwind to upward momentum. If the gap continues to trend downward, it may reinforce current price stagnation despite broader accumulation trends.
Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView