Bitcoin has experienced another net loss over the past week, with the premier cryptocurrency struggling to reclaim key technical levels. Meanwhile, a recent market evaluation shows that while price action is volatile, it is largely range-trapped between $60,000 to $70,000.
Bitcoin’s $60,000 Shield: Long-Term Holders Refuse To Fold
In a recent QuickTake report, a pseudonymous analyst with the username GugaOnChain analyzed Bitcoin’s current market structure, describing a battle between long-term conviction and short-term pressure. According to data from the on-chain platform, Bitcoin remains in a mature bear market, consistent with projections made in December 2025.
Analyst GugaOnChain noted that at the $60,000 support level, long-term holders are described as the primary defensive force. In particular, the 12 -18-month UTXO cohort has grown from 9.67% to 11.09%, indicating that more Bitcoin is aging into long-term storage.
This suggests strengthening conviction among holders who accumulated over a year ago and are choosing not to sell despite market weakness. However, he notes that historical bear market bottoms have seen this cohort reach much higher levels (30-44%), implying that while structural support is forming. A definitive macro bottom may not yet be confirmed.
BTC’S Next Move Hinges On US Institutions Returning
Interestingly, a low Binary Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) reading of 0.14 reinforces the idea that older coins remain dormant. Long-term holders are not distributing or panic selling, effectively acting as a liquidity anchor that prevents a deeper collapse below $60,000.
On the resistance side near $70,000, active whales holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC are identified as the main source of selling pressure. Their distribution directly counters long-term holders’ resilience and caps upward momentum. Meanwhile, the Coinbase Premium Index remains negative (-0.04), signaling weak US institutional demand and a broader macro environment marked by risk aversion. Without strong institutional inflows, the market lacks the catalyst needed for a sustained breakout.
Additionally, short-term holders are experiencing capitulation, reflected in an MVRV-STH (Market value to Realized value – Short-term holders) ratio of 0.74, meaning many are holding at a loss and exiting positions. Overall, this shows that Bitcoin is undergoing a cleansing phase. While long-term value is gradually emerging, sustainable upside depends on the return of US institutional demand and a shift in macro conditions.
As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $63,823, reflecting a 5.75% jump in the past 24 hours.
Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
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