Crypto stock short sellers face $1.9 billion hit as Bitcoin surges - Report By Investing.com

Are Crypto Short Sellers Feeling the Heat?

The recent surge in Bitcoin's value has sent shockwaves through the crypto-linked equity market, leaving short sellers reeling with massive mark-to-market losses. According to S3 Partners, these losses have topped $1.9 billion today alone.

Bitcoin's Bounce-Back: A Painful Reminder for Shorts

This downturn comes as Bitcoin has jumped over 7% in late-day trading, following a steep climb of nearly 12% from its recent low just three days ago. These gains have been a brutal wake-up call for short sellers, who have been betting against crypto-related stocks.

MicroStrategy: The Poster Child for Short-Selling Misery

MicroStrategy, the corporate Bitcoin whale, has found itself at the epicenter of this pain. With $1.4 billion in mark-to-market losses today, the company has played a significant role in the sector's $1.9 billion loss. Overall, MicroStrategy's short sellers have been dealt a devastating blow, facing a 79.1% downturn year-to-date.

Short Sellers: Unbowed Despite the Bloodbath

Despite these staggering losses, the crypto sector remains a magnet for short sellers. The high level of short interest, concentrated in a few stocks, and the potential for squeezes continue to attract these opportunistic investors.

MicroStrategy: A Short Seller's Nightmare

MicroStrategy's crowded scores, which measure the density of short sellers in a stock, are a testament to its susceptibility to short squeezes. With a score of 57.34, the company far exceeds the average of 32.41. Similarly, its squeeze scores, indicating the likelihood of a short squeeze, are at 78.69, dwarfing the street average of 34.41.

Short Sellers: Doubling Down Amidst Bitcoin's Rise

Despite Bitcoin's recent surge, short sellers have doubled down on their bets against crypto-related stocks. The sector's total short interest has increased by $3.67 billion this year, with an additional $4.50 billion in short selling in the last 30 days. Much of this increased activity has been concentrated in MicroStrategy.

Could Further Gains Fuel a Short Squeeze?

If MicroStrategy's stock continues to rise, it could trigger a short squeeze, forcing short sellers to buy back shares to cover their losses. This could send the stock price even higher, adding to the pain of those who have bet against the company.