Short-term Bitcoin holders realized $11.6B in profit, suggesting a potential pause or local top in the market.

Bitcoin (BTC) price recently hit a new all-time high of $111,800, but the bullish momentum may slow down as onchain data from Glassnode reveals significant profit-taking by short-term holders (STHs)

Short-term Bitcoin (BTC) holders have realized a staggering $11.6 billion in profit over the past 30 days, suggesting a potential pause or local top in the market. Technical indicators show cooling momentum as retail investor sentiment falls to a 90-day low and liquidity data points to price volatility.

Onchain data from Glassnode reveals significant profit-taking by short-term holders (STHs), often considered traders rather than long-term investors, which may signal a ‘breather’ for the market.

STHs realized a whopping $11.6 billion in profits over the last 30 days, following Bitcoin’s sharp rebound to push past the STH cost-basis of $93,000. The profit-taking peaked at $747 million daily, a rapid increase from the $1.2 billion realized in the last 30-day period.

The massive profit-taking is evident in the astronomical spike in the STH Realized Profit/Loss Ratio. Currently, profits massively outweigh losses, with only 8% of trading days in the last 18 years seeing this ratio at a higher level.

This level of profit-taking is typically observed during bullish trends but often precedes local market tops. Excessive profit-taking can overwhelm new demand, creating overhead supply resistance and halting Bitcoin’s upward trajectory.

Crypto analyst Axel Adler Jr noted that Bitcoin’s 30-day price momentum has already slowed by 38%, currently sitting at 19%. Adler described it as a “technical cooldown” after the recent peak. The Bitcoin researcher suggested the market needs a ‘breather’ before potentially resuming its rally.

Similarly, analysis from Hyblock Capital advised caution as the previous three months outlined Bitcoin consistently targeting short liquidity zones above current prices, driving its recent highs.

However, retail sentiment is at a 90-day low, with only 31.59% of retail accounts holding long positions. Meanwhile, open interest is at a 90-day high, and combined order books sit in the 91st percentile, signaling high liquidity and potential volatility.