Traders eyeing long positions could have their rally soon as funding rates flip negative

Source Fxstreet
  • Bitcoin funding rate chart has been flipping negative of late, signaling a shift in market sentiment.
  • Shorts are paying longs, which often precipitates the creation of bullish momentum.
  • A potential market correction or squeeze could be on the horizon.

Bitcoin (BTC) price remains on a load-shedding exercise, a sentiment that has spilled over to the broader market. Nevertheless, the bleed seen across the cryptocurrency market could end soon amid possible shifting market sentiment.

Also Read: Bitcoin price defends $60K as whales hold onto their BTC despite market dip

Funding rates flipping negative could be the silver lining for longs

After a prolonged downtrend in the market, fortunes could be starting to change as funding rates flip negative.

BTC funding rate

During a bearish market like the one currently at play, the funding rate shifting negative leads to short traders paying long traders. On the other hand, when the market sentiment is bullish, the funding rate becomes positive and long traders pay short traders.

Funding rates can reflect market sentiment and liquidity. A positive funding rate, where long position holders pay shorts suggests that traders are willing to pay a premium to bet on rising prices, which indicates bullish sentiment. A negative funding rate could mean bearish sentiment with shorts paying longs, suggesting that traders expect prices to fall.

If the bearish sentiment prevails, Bitcoin price could continue to fall, which would justify the negative funding rate. An overly negative funding rate for a prolonged duration, however, could cause a change in sentiment, causing a possible twist in the BTC price action to turn bullish.

The shorts could get squeezed, compelled to buy Bitcoin at a higher price in efforts to cover their losses as the BTC price rises unexpectedly. This unexpected surge in buying pressure can lead to even more price increases. The result would be a snowball effect where more short sellers rush to cover their positions. This can result in rapid and significant price spikes in the cryptocurrency market.

Open Interest, funding rate FAQs

Higher Open Interest is associated with higher liquidity and new capital inflow to the market. This is considered the equivalent of increase in efficiency and the ongoing trend continues. When Open Interest decreases, it is considered a sign of liquidation in the market, investors are leaving and the overall demand for an asset is on a decline, fueling a bearish sentiment among investors.

Funding fees bridge the difference between spot prices and prices of futures contracts of an asset by increasing liquidation risks faced by traders. A consistently high and positive funding rate implies there is a bullish sentiment among market participants and there is an expectation of a price hike. A consistently negative funding rate for an asset implies a bearish sentiment, indicating that traders expect the cryptocurrency’s price to fall and a bearish trend reversal is likely to occur.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Ethereum (ETH) Price Closes Above $3,900 — Is a New All-Time High Possible Before 2024 Ends?Once again, the price of Ethereum (ETH) has risen above $3,900. This bounce has hinted at a further price increase for the altcoin before the end of the year.
Author  Beincrypto
Dec 17, 2024
Once again, the price of Ethereum (ETH) has risen above $3,900. This bounce has hinted at a further price increase for the altcoin before the end of the year.
placeholder
Markets in 2026: Will gold, Bitcoin, and the U.S. dollar make history again? — These are how leading institutions thinkAfter a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
Author  Insights
Dec 25, 2025
After a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
placeholder
Analyst Flags XRP as Market’s ‘Best Risk/Reward’ Play as Token Tests Critical $1.60 SupportCrypto analyst Scott Melker identifies a prime risk/reward setup for XRP as it tests key support at $1.60, offering a tight stop-loss against potential upside targets near $2.00.
Author  Mitrade
Feb 03, Tue
Crypto analyst Scott Melker identifies a prime risk/reward setup for XRP as it tests key support at $1.60, offering a tight stop-loss against potential upside targets near $2.00.
placeholder
Bitcoin Reaches ‘Fire-Sale’ Valuations as ETF Outflows Jump, Says BitwiseBitcoin’s two-year rolling MVRV z-score has dropped to its lowest level ever, pointing to extreme undervaluation.
Author  Mitrade
Feb 03, Tue
Bitcoin’s two-year rolling MVRV z-score has dropped to its lowest level ever, pointing to extreme undervaluation.
placeholder
Gold rallies further beyond $5,050 amid flight to safety, dovish Fed expectationsGold (XAU/USD) attracts follow-through buying for the second consecutive day and surges past the $5,000 psychological mark during the Asian session on Wednesday amid the global flight to safety.
Author  FXStreet
Yesterday 08: 20
Gold (XAU/USD) attracts follow-through buying for the second consecutive day and surges past the $5,000 psychological mark during the Asian session on Wednesday amid the global flight to safety.
Related Instrument
goTop
quote