Market pulse

Crypto markets are broadly weaker, with losses outweighing gains across the major exchanges. Only 21 of 100 tracked assets advanced, while 73 declined; the median 24-hour move was a loss of 1.6%. The breadth points to selling pressure beyond a handful of large tokens, although individual assets diverged sharply. ICNT and TIA were notable gainers, while ZEREBRO and STRK led the decliners.

Bitcoin traded near $81,700, down about 0.7% over 24 hours. Futures open interest, the value of outstanding contracts, edged higher even as spot slipped, suggesting positions were added rather than broadly closed. The market’s long-short ratio was about 1.7, showing larger aggregate long than short positioning, while positive funding means long holders were paying shorts. Together, these measures point to a modest long bias, not a clear signal of near-term direction. Bitcoin also sat below its 20-day average but just above its 50-day average, leaving the short-term technical picture soft but mixed.

The next test is whether weakness spreads further across major tokens or remains concentrated in the day’s sharp decliners. Technical breadth was subdued, with only three of nine major assets above their 50-day averages. China’s GDP report and Canadian inflation data on Monday, followed by the UK labour-market report on Tuesday, could shape broader risk sentiment. These releases are potential catalysts, but their market impact remains uncertain.