Bitcoin Price Braces for Impact as BTC Open Interest Slips to 4-Year Low

Key Insights:

• Bitcoin USD open interest falls to its lowest level since 2022 as leveraged traders exit the market.
• Debate grows over the Bitcoin four-year cycle as analysts disagree on what recent data shows.
• BTC price trades between key levels, leaving traders cautious and inactive.

Bitcoin USD open interest has fallen to its lowest level in four years. It signals a major pullback in leveraged trading as Bitcoin price holds steady. The shift is drawing attention to market health, cycle debates, and key price levels that may shape the next move.

Analysis of the Bitcoin USD Open Interest

Bitcoin open interest measures how many futures and perpetual contracts remain open across major exchanges. Notably, these contracts are mostly tied to leverage. When open interest is high, it means many traders are using borrowed funds to bet on price moves. When it drops, those bets are being closed.

Over recent months, Bitcoin open interest has declined sharply. The drop reflects a steady exit of leveraged traders. Some were forced out by liquidations, while others reduced exposure as volatility increased and the Bitcoin USD price failed to trend.

This is important because leverage often drives sharp price swings. High leverage creates pressure. A small move can trigger liquidations, which push prices further and cause more exits. When leverage clears out, that pressure eases.

The current setup shows price holding steady while open interest continues to fall. This is not common during speculative phases, as it usually appears after crowded trades unwind. In past cycles, similar conditions followed large shakeouts.

In late 2022 and early 2023, open interest fell to comparable levels. Those periods did not mark major market tops. Instead, they marked the end of fast, leverage-led moves. What followed was slower trading driven more by spot buyers and sellers.

With fewer leveraged positions left, forced selling becomes less likely. BTC price then becomes less reactive to sudden moves. This does not mean the price will rise right away. It means the risk of violent drops caused by liquidations is lower than before.

Right now, the market looks quieter, not weaker. Speculation is leaving, but long-term holders appear to be staying. That balance often signals a reset rather than a breakdown.

Big Take on the BTC Price 4-Year Cycle

The drop in leverage has reopened debate around the Bitcoin USD four-year cycle. Some traders argue the cycle has ended, pointing to weak performance and long consolidation. Others say the structure is still intact.

On-chain analyst Willy Woo has pushed back on claims that the cycle is over. He points to network flows that still follow patterns seen in previous cycles. According to his view, short-term slowdowns do not erase long-term behavior.

However, a recent conversation between Woo and a market participant on X revealed the divide.

A critic noted that 2025 has been a red year so far. Woo replied with an analogy, saying short-term readings can be misleading when taken out of context.

Cycles are not fixed schedules, as they stretch and compress, and a slow year does not cancel a broader trend. Until BTC price action and network data move far outside historical ranges, many analysts remain cautious about declaring a structural change.

The fall in Bitcoin USD open interest fits this view. Cycles often cool through leverage resets before choosing a clear direction. The market appears to be in that cooling phase now.

Bitcoin Price in a No Trading Zone

From a price perspective, Bitcoin is stuck between key levels. Market analyst Ted described the current range as a no-trading zone.

According to him, BTC price must reclaim $92,000 to regain strength. As of writing, CoinMarketCap data shows that Bitcoin is trading at $90,430.53.

If that level fails, downside risk increases toward the $88,000 area. That zone includes a CME gap, which traders often watch during uncertain periods. Until one of these levels breaks, price action may remain slow and uneven. This range reflects broader conditions. Leverage is low.

Sentiment is mixed, and market direction remains unclear. This is because traders are waiting for confirmation rather than forcing positions. For now, Bitcoin USD open interest remains near multi-year lows. Bitcoin price is holding, but not advancing.