Bitcoin (BTC) Faces Pressure Amid Weak Demand and Rising Losses

Timothy Morano
Dec 10, 2025 14:29

Bitcoin remains in a fragile state with unrealized losses increasing, long-term holders selling, and demand weakening, according to Glassnode’s latest analysis.

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently navigating a challenging market environment characterized by increasing unrealized losses and weak demand, according to a recent analysis by Glassnode. The cryptocurrency remains anchored in a structurally fragile range, with significant sell pressure from both new buyers and long-term holders.

Market Conditions and On-Chain Insights

The analysis highlights that Bitcoin’s price is stuck between the Short-Term Holder (STH) Cost Basis of $102.7k and the True Market Mean at $81.3k. The market’s inability to surpass critical thresholds like the 0.75 quantile and the STH Cost Basis indicates persistent selling pressure. Despite this, patient demand has managed to keep the price above the True Market Mean.

Unrealized losses are on the rise, and long-term holders are realizing losses at increasing rates. The report notes that the Relative Unrealized Loss (30D-SMA) has climbed to 4.4%, marking a shift from a previously euphoric phase to one of elevated stress and uncertainty. This underscores the need for renewed liquidity and demand to rebuild market confidence.

Off-Chain Indicators

Off-chain indicators also paint a cautious picture. US Bitcoin ETFs have seen negative net flows, reflecting a risk-averse stance among institutional investors. Spot liquidity remains thin, and futures markets show limited speculative conviction, with funding rates hovering around neutral. This lack of engagement leaves Bitcoin’s price more susceptible to macroeconomic influences.

In the options market, traders are positioning defensively, with an increase in demand for short-dated downside protection. The 25-delta skew indicates a preference for put protection, suggesting that market participants are hedging against potential downside risks.

Future Prospects and Potential Catalysts

The upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is anticipated to be a significant catalyst. Traders are preparing for potential volatility, as evidenced by the accumulation of short-dated implied volatility. However, without a major shift in macroeconomic conditions, the market may continue to experience low liquidity and mean-reverting behavior into the year-end.

Overall, Bitcoin’s market structure reflects a weak but stable range, supported by patient demand but constrained by persistent sell pressure. The short-term outlook depends on whether liquidity conditions improve and sellers ease off, while the longer-term perspective hinges on reclaiming key cost-basis thresholds.

For more detailed insights, visit the full report on [Glassnode](https://insights.glassnode.com/the-week-onchain-week-49-2025/).

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