Bitcoin: Why shorting BTC is the smarter option right now

The market is still risk-off, trend direction is shaky, and key supports are barely hanging on. Consequently, price action has become heavily trader-driven, making this kind of market chop ideal for leveraged plays.

Notably, Bitcoin [BTC] is where the juicy “risk-reward” lies. In fact, Bitcoin’s Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) is ticking back up toward 0.22, signaling that traders are loading up again and leaning into volatility.

Backing this up, Lookonchain flagged a trader on a seven-day heater shorting BTC, banking over $22 million in profits. In short, liquidity is tightening, effectively pushing BTC into a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

Source: Glassnode

From a macro angle, the positioning makes sense. 

We’re heading into the second half of December with a stacked macro calendar. First up is the employment data, followed by the jobs report, and then the BOJ meeting, all potential volatility triggers for risk assets.

In fact, since 2024, each Bank of Japan (BOJ) rate hike has triggered a double-digit dump in Bitcoin, and with the market currently pricing in a 25 bps move, it’s no wonder that BTC’s short liquidity is expanding noticeably.

Consequently, this puts Bitcoin bulls in a tricky spot. The question now is whether they are going to play it smart and position cautiously, or if they’re walking straight into a bull trap that could catch late long traders off-guard.

Bitcoin leverage skew leaves late-longs vulnerable

Bitcoin’s technical setup leans toward cautious optimism.

On the weekly chart, BTC is chopping between $88k and $91k, which looks like a textbook consolidation range. However, the real question is whether this base is being built on spot buying or on speculative positioning.

Notably, CryptoQuant’s spot vs. derivatives volume ratio points to the latter. In fact, the ratio has slipped to around 0.1, the lowest level in nearly three months, showing that derivatives activity is heavily dominating spot flows.

Source: CryptoQuant

In short, leverage, rather than organic demand, is driving BTC right now.

Against this backdrop, a packed macro week, Bitcoin shorts deep in profit, historical sell-offs tied to BOJ, and thin spot bids are setting up a textbook long-squeeze scenario, with long liquidity clusters increasingly exposed.

Hence, from a positioning standpoint, Bitcoin shorts look well-placed.

Final Thoughts

• Bitcoin’s range is being held up by leverage, not spot demand, making price action fragile and highly sensitive to liquidations.
• Macro catalysts and crowded late-long positioning leave Bitcoin shorts better positioned.