#Bitcoin Shows Signs of Macro Fatigue Amid Ongoing Leverage Reset
Recent quarterly performance highlights a clear shift in $BTC market structure. After a strong mid-2025 expansion phase marked by consistent positive quarterly returns, performance has turned negative in recent periods. This transition suggests the market has moved away from trend continuation and into a corrective or consolidation regime. Such shifts typically reflect weakening marginal demand rather than a structural breakdown, especially following an extended rally.
Drawdown analysis provides further context. Current pullbacks are approaching deeper historical correction zones, levels more commonly associated with cyclical resets than full-scale bear market capitulation. Price remains below the 1-year average drawdown, indicating that downside pressure is no longer brief or opportunistic. This environment often coincides with reduced risk appetite and more selective capital deployment.
Derivatives data reinforces this interpretation. The Futures Open Interest percent change oscillator shows repeated sharp contractions, signaling aggressive leverage unwinding. Large negative open interest shocks have consistently aligned with local price lows, implying that forced liquidations, rather than sustained spot selling, are driving recent volatility. This behavior is characteristic of leverage-driven corrections rather than broad capital flight.
Finally, the 90-day Market versus Realized Price Gradient Oscillator points to fading macro momentum. The gradient has spent increasing time below its baseline and near lower deviation bands, reflecting a loss of bullish impulse relative to realized price. Historically, this configuration aligns with late-cycle cooling phases, where price action becomes range-bound while the market works to rebuild a healthier cost basis. A durable recovery would likely require leverage stabilization alongside renewed spot demand.
#Ethereum open interest has recovered to its pre October 10 levels while the price remains roughly thirty two percent below the breakdown zone.
Leverage is returning faster than spot demand which is typical in crypto as traders rush in before any real structural recovery forms.
$ETH is still hovering around the three thousand level as OI ticks higher indicating volatility is building and a sharp move in either direction is likely.