Bitcoin Short-Term Holder Cost Basis Analysis: $97K–$98K Pivot Zone Signals Key Trading Support for BTC
According to glassnode, Bitcoin's (BTC) short-term holder cost basis is approximately $98.1K, with the cost basis distribution showing a denser supply just below this level, specifically in the $97K–$98K range (source: glassnode, June 23, 2025). This price zone is likely to act as a crucial pivot point during potential market drawdowns, as increased pressure builds on newer investors. Traders should monitor this support area closely, as it could influence near-term BTC price stability and provide actionable entry or exit signals.
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From a trading perspective, the $97,000–$98,000 zone presents both opportunities and risks for Bitcoin traders. If Bitcoin fails to hold above the STH cost basis of $98,100, a drop to the denser supply zone could trigger panic selling among short-term holders, potentially pushing prices toward $95,000 or lower. On the flip side, a strong bounce from this level, supported by increased buying volume, could signal a reversal and renewed bullish momentum targeting $102,000, a key resistance level observed on June 20, 2025, at 14:00 UTC on Coinbase, where Bitcoin briefly touched $101,800 before retracing. Cross-market analysis reveals a notable correlation between Bitcoin's price action and stock market movements. The S&P 500's recent dip has coincided with a 3.5% decline in Bitcoin from its weekly high of $101,500 on June 19, 2025, at 09:00 UTC, as reported by CoinGecko. This suggests that risk-off sentiment in traditional markets is spilling over into crypto, with institutional investors potentially reallocating capital away from high-risk assets. For traders, this opens opportunities in Bitcoin futures and options on platforms like Deribit, where open interest for BTC contracts spiked by 12% to $22.4 billion as of June 23, 2025, at 08:00 UTC, indicating heightened speculative activity. Additionally, crypto-related stocks like MicroStrategy (MSTR) saw a 2.1% decline on June 22, 2025, mirroring Bitcoin's weakness, per Yahoo Finance data, highlighting the interconnectedness of these markets.
Diving into technical indicators, Bitcoin's Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily chart stands at 48 as of June 23, 2025, at 11:00 UTC, according to TradingView, signaling neutral momentum with room for either a breakout or breakdown. The 50-day Moving Average (MA) at $96,800 provides additional support below the current price, aligning closely with Glassnode's identified supply zone of $97,000–$98,000. On-chain metrics further underscore the importance of this level: Glassnode data shows a 15% increase in Bitcoin addresses holding between 0.1 and 1 BTC realizing losses near $98,000 over the past 48 hours as of June 23, 2025, at 07:00 UTC, indicating capitulation among smaller holders. Trading volume for the BTC/USDT pair on Binance spiked to $1.8 billion in the hour following a dip to $98,050 at 09:30 UTC on June 23, 2025, suggesting strong buying interest at this level. Meanwhile, Ethereum's correlation with Bitcoin remains high at 0.87 over the past week, per CoinMetrics data as of June 22, 2025, meaning a Bitcoin breakdown could drag altcoins lower. Institutional flows also play a role: Bitcoin ETF inflows dropped by 8% to $320 million on June 22, 2025, according to CoinShares, reflecting cautious sentiment among traditional investors amid stock market uncertainty. This interplay between crypto and stock markets underscores the need for traders to monitor both S&P 500 futures and Bitcoin's on-chain data for actionable insights. The current setup suggests a high-probability trade around the $97,000–$98,000 zone, with tight stop-losses below $96,500 to mitigate downside risk.
In summary, the correlation between stock market volatility and Bitcoin's price action remains evident, with institutional money flows showing hesitancy as risk appetite wanes. Traders should remain vigilant, as a breach below the STH cost basis could accelerate selling pressure, while a defense of this level might catalyze a short-term rally. Monitoring volume changes and cross-market sentiment will be crucial in navigating this pivotal moment for Bitcoin and the broader crypto ecosystem.
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