Articles
Bitcoin

Bitcoin sparks ‘bull trap’ warning after BTC price rejects at $76K

User Image

익명에 의해

생성됨 March 17, 2026|2 분 독서
Main Image

Bitcoin bulls failed to break through major resistance at six-week highs as open interest trends triggered warnings of a BTC price reversal.

Bitcoin (BTC) risks turning its rebound into a classic “bull trap” as the price rejects at strong resistance.

Bitcoin faces flat Coinbase spot demand and an open interest divergence as prices rise above $75,000.

This risks ending the rebound due to structural weakness, analysis warns.

Any push higher toward $80,000 will be “challenging.”

New research from onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant released on Tuesday warns that the recent BTC price rebound may collapse.

“The Bitcoin market is currently exposing a critical structural vulnerability as it transitions from a healthy spot-led regime to an overheated rally driven primarily by derivatives,” contributor Easy On Chain wrote in a QuickTake blog post.

Several factors support the theory, including the Coinbase Premium Index — the difference in price between Coinbase’s BTC/USD and Binance’s BTC/USDT pairs. 

Despite BTC/USD hitting six-week highs, the index continues to dip into negative territory, pointing to a lack of US spot demand.

“In this absence of spot-buying support, we are witnessing an extreme decoupling between investor cohorts where smart money is tactically distributing its supply,” Easy On Chain continued.

Fellow CryptoQuant contributor MAC_D agreed, drawing a clear distinction between old and new investors.

“Recent on-chain data shows that OG investors are distributing, while new investors are entering the market, indicating a clear transfer of ownership,” they wrote in a separate Quicktake post.

The core issue, however, is with open interest (OI), which shows the market in a precarious situation.

“On the 1-hour timeframe, a divergence between price and open interest is emerging. While the spot market shows strength, futures traders appear reluctant to take on additional risk,” MAC_D continued. 

As Cointelegraph reported, Bitcoin faces a wall of selling pressure in the mid-$70,000 zone, which coincides with old local lows from April 2025.

Related: $58K BTC price still in play? Five things to know in Bitcoin this week

Data from CoinGlass shows price stalling midway through that ask-liquidity at $76,000 before reversing.

Market participants thus remain level-headed when it comes to a broader market recovery. 

In his latest X analysis, Keith Alan, cofounder of trading resource Material Indicators, referenced various moving average (MA) trend lines and proprietary trading tools to put the odds of a full bull-market comeback in context.

“Bulls are currently attempting to flip resistance at the Q2 2024 Timescape Level, and now psychological resistance at $75k is coming into focus. If bulls can push higher the next targets are at the Q2 2025 Timescape Levels at $78.3k and $82.5k,” he explained.

Trader Mister Crypto, meanwhile, drew comparisons between current price action and that from earlier in 2026, where BTC/USD offered a relief bounce before breaking below support.

$BTC is forming a textbook bear flag here...Don't say I didn't warn you. pic.twitter.com/0FnHj0BVrP

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

Source: CoinTelegraph


최근에 발행된 다른 기사들

Iran’s Strait of Hormuz toll booth ran through a bitcoin exchange, U.S. says
Iran’s Strait of Hormuz toll booth ran through a bitcoin exchange, U.S. says

Bitcoin

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned BitBank, a Tehran exchange it says moved hundreds of millions of dollar...

SBI Group backs payments firm dtcpay in $25 million funding round
SBI Group backs payments firm dtcpay in $25 million funding round

Crypto Market Analysis

Stablecoin payments company dtcpay completed a $25 million Series A funding round with a strategic i...

Live updates: Bitcoin climbs over $80,000 as crypto shakes off Clarity failure and higher interest rates
Live updates: Bitcoin climbs over $80,000 as crypto shakes off Clarity failure and higher interest rates

Bitcoin

The crypto sector soared higher to close the week as it looked past the sudden global shift to tight...

Zcash targets November upgrade to make private payments up to three times faster
Zcash targets November upgrade to make private payments up to three times faster

Crypto Market Analysis

NU7 would reduce block times to 25 seconds while setting aside at least 60% of transaction fees to s...

ECB President Christine Lagarde intervened to block Binance’s EU MiCA license: WSJ
ECB President Christine Lagarde intervened to block Binance’s EU MiCA license: WSJ

Crypto Market Analysis

Although the ECB holds no formal licensing authority under MiCA, high-level intervention led Greece ...

Crypto stocks rebound after CLARITY Act selloff
Crypto stocks rebound after CLARITY Act selloff

Crypto Market Analysis

Coinbase, Strategy and other crypto-linked stocks rallied Friday as the CFTC and SEC moved ahead wit...