Bitcoin Short-Term Holder Profits Climbing – Data Hints At Incoming Sell Pressure

Source Bitcoinist

Bitcoin is holding strong above the $108,000 level and continues to push toward a breakout above its all-time high near $112,000. Price action remains firmly bullish, with little to no signs of weakness as buyers maintain control across major timeframes. After weeks of consolidation and steady gains, BTC now appears poised for a potential move into uncharted territory.

Supporting this bullish momentum, on-chain data from CryptoQuant reveals that the unrealized profit indicator for Short-Term Holders—those holding coins for 1 to 3 months—currently sits at 27%. This metric helps gauge how much profit short-term investors are sitting on, and historically, it has provided key signals during major market moves.

Over the past four years, when this indicator surpassed 40%, it often triggered a wave of selling from this cohort, leading to increased downward pressure on the BTC price. With the metric still well below that critical threshold, the market may have room to climb before short-term holders begin locking in profits at scale.

Bitcoin Enters Pivotal Week As Analysts Eye Breakout Toward $120K

Bitcoin is heading into a crucial week as price action hovers near all-time highs and analysts forecast a breakout that could send BTC soaring to $120,000. After weeks of steady gains and bullish consolidation above the $108,000 level, momentum is building. The market is increasingly confident that a clean push above the $112K resistance could unlock the next leg of the cycle.

This comes as global markets face heightened uncertainty. With persistent macroeconomic instability, rising geopolitical tensions, and diverging monetary policy expectations, Bitcoin appears to be thriving in volatility. Its non-sovereign, digital nature continues to attract capital during times of financial stress, acting as both a hedge and a high-beta growth asset.

Top analyst Axel Adler shared compelling on-chain data highlighting where the market currently stands. According to CryptoQuant, the Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) for Short-Term Holders is now at 27%. Historically, this cohort begins taking profits once the metric crosses 40%, often triggering sell pressure and temporary tops.

Bitcoin Short-Term Holders Realized Price | Source: Axel Adler on X

Adler’s forecast assumes a steady increase of 0.818 percentage points per day, putting the 40% threshold roughly 16 days away—on or around June 11, 2025. At that point, BTC could be trading near $162,000 if the trend continues uninterrupted.

He cautions that the forecast is based on linear extrapolation and does not account for potential market shocks, “black swan” events, or political headlines, such as a sudden policy shift or viral tweet from US President Donald Trump.

Bulls Defend Post-Breakout Levels

Bitcoin is trading at $109,844 and holding strong above the key breakout zone after reaching a new all-time high near $112,000. The daily chart shows BTC maintaining a bullish structure, with price well above the 34 EMA ($101,469) and all major moving averages. The $103,600 level, marked in yellow, served as a long-term resistance earlier in the cycle and has now flipped into support—a textbook breakout-retest structure.

BTC holding strong above $105K | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Volume has remained relatively steady during this consolidation, and the recent candles suggest healthy digestion of gains rather than exhaustion. BTC continues to print higher lows, signaling that buyers are stepping in on each pullback. As long as the price remains above the $103K–$105K region, the broader trend remains intact.

The next critical resistance lies just above $112,000. A daily close above this level would likely confirm continuation and open the door to the $120,000–$125,000 range. Momentum is still on the bulls’ side, and the structure points to a market preparing for further upside.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
U.S. Vice President JD Vance among Bitcoin 2025 Conference speakersThe Bitcoin 2025 Conference organizers, BTC Inc., unveiled the list of featured speakers at this year's event in Las Vegas, and U.S. VP JD Vance is at the top among them.
Author  Cryptopolitan
May 26, Mon
The Bitcoin 2025 Conference organizers, BTC Inc., unveiled the list of featured speakers at this year's event in Las Vegas, and U.S. VP JD Vance is at the top among them.
placeholder
Ethereum Price Faces Pressure: Can It Sustain Its Recent Rally?Ethereum price found support at $2,460 and started a fresh increase. ETH is now struggling and might drop again below the $2,500 support.
Author  NewsBTC
Yesterday 03: 35
Ethereum price found support at $2,460 and started a fresh increase. ETH is now struggling and might drop again below the $2,500 support.
placeholder
Japan loses top global creditor spot to GermanyJapan lost its 34-year reign as the world’s largest creditor nation to Germany at the end of 2024.
Author  Cryptopolitan
21 hours ago
Japan lost its 34-year reign as the world’s largest creditor nation to Germany at the end of 2024.
placeholder
Gold extends correction amidst trade optimism, stronger US DollarGold (XAU/USD) price extends correction, sliding below the $3,300 mark at the time of writing on Tuesday amid improving risk-on mood and a stronger US Dollar (USD). 
Author  FXStreet
18 hours ago
Gold (XAU/USD) price extends correction, sliding below the $3,300 mark at the time of writing on Tuesday amid improving risk-on mood and a stronger US Dollar (USD). 
placeholder
EUR/JPY appreciates above 163.00 with the Yen retreating across the boardThe Euro is trading higher for the second consecutive day, still fuelled by the delay of Trump’s deadline to avoid 50% tariffs in the US, while the Yen declines alongside super long-term Japanese yields.
Author  FXStreet
18 hours ago
The Euro is trading higher for the second consecutive day, still fuelled by the delay of Trump’s deadline to avoid 50% tariffs in the US, while the Yen declines alongside super long-term Japanese yields.
goTop
quote