Bitcoin Rally Faces Sustainability Risk From Weak Spot Demand

2 Min Read Tags:

  • CryptoQuant said bitcoin’s current rally may be unsustainable because spot-market demand remains weak.
  • The market structure increasingly resembles January-February and March 2026, when derivatives played a major role, according to the firm.
  • CryptoQuant said an August 21 surge in trading volumes alongside a 24% bitcoin price rise may signal an early shift from a bear phase to a bull phase.

CryptoQuant said the current bitcoin rally may lack sustainability because demand in the spot market remains weak. The firm said the market structure increasingly resembles January-February and March 2026, when derivatives played a major role.

Analysts said a rally without sustained spot demand appears less convincing. Under those conditions, they recommended focusing more on risk management than on expectations that the rally will continue.

Trading volumes rebound

Separate CryptoQuant data indicated a notable recovery in trading activity. After falling to multiyear lows during the bear market, volumes in the spot and perpetual-futures markets surged on August 21 as bitcoin’s price increased.

Previous volume spikes mostly coincided with sell-offs. This time, the increase in activity accompanied a 24% rise in bitcoin, which CryptoQuant said indicated that buying dominated.

Analysts said the rebound in trading volumes could be one sign that the market is moving from a bear phase into a bull phase.

Experts had previously warned that retail euphoria could raise the risk of a bitcoin correction.

Source: Incrypted

TAGGED:
Bernstein Says Market Hasn’t Priced In Possible CLARITY Act Progress

Bernstein analysts said the CLARITY Act could progress further than markets expect ahead of a Sept. 15 procedural vote, with any positive surprise “definitely not priced in.”

3 Min Read
Former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison Joins Manifund

Former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison joined nonprofit Manifund full-time on August 10 after starting on a trial basis July 13, co-founder Austin Chen said.

2 Min Read
Democrats Prepare Large-Scale Trump Investigations if They Win Election, Media Report

House Democrats are preparing broad investigations into President Donald Trump, his administration and family if they regain control of the chamber in November’s midterm elections, according to The Washington Post.

5 Min Read
Bitget Exchange Marks Eight Years in Operation

Bitget marked its eighth year by reviewing its multi-asset expansion, saying non-crypto assets peaked at 40% of trading volume and institutional clients’ net assets rose 45% between Q3 2025 and…

4 Min Read
pump.fun Launches Holder Rewards, Scraps Cashback

Pump.fun announced on Sept. 12, 2026, that it introduced Holder Rewards for new token launches, ended Cashback mode, and allowed creators to choose Holder Rewards or a Creator Fee model.

3 Min Read