Bitcoin [BTC] Price Dips to $9100, But Why is BitMEX Funding Rate Rising? Analyst Explains

Bitcoin [BTC] price takes a complete u-turn from bullish sentiments after it breaks below $9,500. The low in Bitcoin early on 26th February is $909x.

BitMEX funding rate and Open Interest is one of the leading indicators of the futures market situation. As the price continues to dip, the funding rate is continually rising; It looks like the bulls are still at large.

However, the fact that the funding rate is higher below $9300 than it was above $9500 indicates trapped bulls.

While the funding rate on BitMEX earlier yesterday was around 0.03% daily, it rose to 0.05% later as price dipped. Moreover, the Open Interest continues to be above $950 million, signalling large trading interest.

Jacob Canfield, leading derivatives and crypto trader tweeted,

Funding is actually insane right now for #bitcoin. How do we drop 7% and funding spikes for longs. This shit is not bullish at all.

This means that price dropped and longs are paying MORE to hold their positions open. So people that are under water in their trade are paying a lot (up to .13% on Deribit and .05% on Bitmex).

Furthermore, if the price continues to dip with long traders trapped, it might lead to a long squeeze causing massive mayhem – The long orders will be forced to sell at market price.

Nevertheless, while the traders on Deribit and BitMEX seem to be under water, elite Huobi traders have been seen holding majority short positions since 15th February.

Technically, the invalidation of the $9100-$93000 support levels would break the bullish market structure with a new swing low.

Moreover, the 200-Day Moving Average is currently sitting at $8789, as BTC is testing the 50-Day MA for support at the moment. A break-down of the 200-DMA would reverse sentiments strongly towards the bears. However, a reclaim and hold above $9500 would be bullish.

Do you think reversal is around the corner or an eventual squeeze? Please share your views with us.