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18 May 2026, 06:15

Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Long/Short Ratios: A Slight Bearish Lean Across Major Exchanges

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Long/Short Ratios: A Slight Bearish Lean Across Major Exchanges Data from the world’s three largest cryptocurrency futures exchanges by open interest reveals a subtle but consistent bearish tilt in Bitcoin perpetual futures positioning over the past 24 hours. As of the latest readings, the overall long/short ratio across Binance, OKX, and Bybit stands at 49.71% long versus 50.29% short, indicating a slight preference for short positions among leveraged traders. Exchange-by-Exchange Breakdown The distribution of long and short positions varies modestly across platforms, but the directional bias remains uniform. Binance, the largest exchange by volume, reports 48.01% of BTC perpetual positions as long and 51.99% as short. OKX shows a similar split at 48.52% long and 51.48% short. Bybit, the third-largest venue, records 49.41% long and 50.59% short. These figures represent the proportion of accounts holding long versus short positions, not the absolute dollar value of those positions. As such, they provide a snapshot of retail and professional trader sentiment rather than total capital allocation. Context and Market Implications A long/short ratio hovering near parity is not unusual for Bitcoin perpetual futures, which are the most actively traded derivative instrument in the crypto market. However, a sustained reading below 50% long can signal cautious sentiment or anticipation of further downside. Traders often interpret such data alongside funding rates and open interest trends to gauge market direction. It is important to note that perpetual futures long/short ratios reflect only one segment of the broader market. Spot market activity, options positioning, and macroeconomic factors such as regulatory developments or Federal Reserve policy decisions can exert equal or greater influence on Bitcoin’s price trajectory. What This Means for Traders For active traders, the current ratio suggests that market participants are pricing in a slightly higher probability of short-term declines. However, contrarian traders sometimes view extreme positioning—whether heavily long or short—as a potential reversal signal. At current levels, the ratio does not indicate extreme sentiment, but rather a measured, cautious stance. These figures are updated in real-time by each exchange and can shift rapidly during periods of high volatility. Traders should avoid relying solely on this metric for decision-making and instead consider it as one data point within a broader analytical framework. Conclusion The 24-hour long/short ratios for Bitcoin perpetual futures on Binance, OKX, and Bybit collectively reflect a modest bearish bias, with shorts marginally outpacing longs across all three platforms. While not an extreme reading, the data offers a useful window into current leveraged trader sentiment. As always, market conditions can change quickly, and traders are advised to monitor multiple indicators before taking positions. FAQs Q1: What is a perpetual futures long/short ratio? A: It is the percentage of traders holding long (betting on price increase) versus short (betting on price decrease) positions in a perpetual futures contract. It is typically calculated based on the number of accounts, not the dollar value of positions. Q2: Why do long/short ratios vary between exchanges? A: Different exchanges attract different user bases—Binance has a large retail following, while OKX and Bybit also serve institutional and professional traders. Varying fee structures, product offerings, and regional regulations can influence trader behavior and positioning. Q3: Is a long/short ratio below 50% a reliable sell signal? A: Not by itself. While a ratio below 50% indicates more short positions, it does not predict price movements with certainty. Extreme readings (e.g., above 80% or below 20%) have historically preceded reversals, but the current level near parity is not considered extreme. Traders should combine this data with funding rates, volume analysis, and broader market context. This post Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Long/Short Ratios: A Slight Bearish Lean Across Major Exchanges first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 May 2026, 06:12

Bitcoin Retreats to $78,000 as PPI Data Spooks ETF Holders After CLARITY Act Committee Win

Bitcoin is trading at approximately $78,180 as of Sunday, down around 1.1% in the past 24 hours and continuing to give back gains that had briefly pushed the asset above $82,000 following the US Senate Banking Committee’s passage of the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act in a 15-9 bipartisan vote on May 14. The retreat from those levels is being driven by a combination of profit-taking from institutional ETF holders, hotter-than-expected Producer Price Index data showing US inflation rising 1.4% in April, and a wave of Bitcoin long liquidations that wiped approximately $77.95 million in leveraged positions over a 24-hour period as the asset rejected resistance near the 200-day simple moving average at $82,270. The CLARITY Act committee passage was broadly celebrated across crypto markets, with XRP and Dogecoin each rising around 5% in the immediate aftermath while Bitcoin climbed above $81,000 before the subsequent pullback. The bill, which aims to clarify regulatory jurisdiction between the SEC and CFTC, classify most digital assets as commodities, and establish a framework for stablecoin regulation, now advances to the full Senate with a floor vote targeted for summer. Citi analysts have tied a $143,000 Bitcoin price target directly to full Congressional passage of the act, projecting an additional $15 billion in net ETF inflows once the bill clears both chambers. That target sits dramatically above current prices, and the market’s muted follow-through on the committee win reflects awareness that the full Senate path remains uncertain. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $635 million in net outflows on May 13, the largest single-day withdrawal since late January, led by Fidelity’s FBTC which alone accounted for over $86 million in outflows. The reversal followed a period of strong inflows that had totalled approximately $2.7 billion through nine consecutive days of net additions in early May. BlackRock’s IBIT absorbed $1.7 billion in inflows during April alone, representing roughly 70% of total US spot Bitcoin ETF flows for the month and cementing its role as the primary vehicle for institutional Bitcoin allocation. The oscillation between heavy inflows and sharp outflow days reflects the behaviour of institutions treating Bitcoin ETFs as a tactical risk allocation rather than a permanent strategic position, meaning flows can reverse quickly when macro data turns against risk assets. The technical picture remains mixed. Bitcoin is trading below its 50-day simple moving average, a shorter-term bearish signal, but above the 200-day moving average, which has been rising since mid-May and provides longer-term structural support. The 14-day RSI of around 52 places the asset in neutral territory rather than the deeply oversold conditions that have historically preceded sharp recoveries. Exchange reserves continue to decline, sitting near multi-year lows, which reduces the available supply that sellers can quickly bring to market and theoretically provides a floor under any prolonged decline. The Coinbase Premium, which measures institutional US demand by tracking the price difference between Coinbase and Binance, flipped negative in the days before the outflow spike, providing an early signal that institutional sentiment was shifting before the data confirmed it. On-chain data from CoinShares shows that Bitcoin’s total ETF net asset value stands at approximately $107.31 billion, with cumulative historical inflows reaching $59.13 billion. That figure compares to the $61.19 billion peak recorded in October 2025, when Bitcoin itself was trading above $126,000. The proximity to prior flow highs at prices more than 35% below those levels suggests institutional positioning is actually quite concentrated relative to price, which cuts both ways: it provides support through existing long exposure but also creates meaningful overhang if confidence weakens. Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $126,000 in October 2025 before a sustained sell-off through the winter months, with five consecutive red months from October through February taking the price from that peak to a low near $60,000. The recovery to the current $78,000 to $82,000 range has been driven by the combination of ETF inflow momentum and the CLARITY Act legislative progress rather than by broad retail participation, which the Fear and Greed Index reading of 31 confirms remains in “Fear” territory. Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into The Cryptoverse, noted the possibility of an earlier-than-expected cycle bottom: “Bitcoin could bottom sooner, as early as May. But in order for that to happen, there would have to be some type of massive capitulation well below what we historically expect.” That scenario has not yet materialised, leaving the market in a state of range-bound uncertainty as the CLARITY Act heads toward its next legislative hurdle.

18 May 2026, 06:10

Remixpoint expands Bitcoin lending to 1,496 BTC in yield-generating strategy

BitcoinWorld Remixpoint expands Bitcoin lending to 1,496 BTC in yield-generating strategy Japanese publicly traded company Remixpoint has announced it will expand its Bitcoin lending operation to approximately 1,496 BTC, effective May 18. The move deepens the firm’s commitment to generating yield on its digital asset holdings through a partnership with SBI Digital Finance, a subsidiary of major financial group SBI Holdings. From holdings to income: how Remixpoint is leveraging its Bitcoin Remixpoint first revealed its lending strategy in February, when it stated it would lend its entire 1,411 BTC holdings to a crypto lending service offered by SBI Digital Finance. The newly announced figure of 1,496 BTC represents an increase of 85 BTC from the original amount. According to the company, the expanded total includes the original holdings, additional Bitcoin purchases made in the intervening months, and profits earned from the lending service itself. The decision reflects a broader trend among publicly traded companies holding large cryptocurrency reserves. Rather than keeping assets idle, firms are increasingly turning to lending platforms to generate passive income, often in the form of additional Bitcoin or stablecoin yields. Remixpoint’s choice to work with SBI Digital Finance, a regulated entity within a well-established Japanese financial conglomerate, suggests a focus on institutional-grade risk management. Why this matters for the crypto lending market Corporate Bitcoin lending is not new, but the scale and transparency of Remixpoint’s approach offer insight into how traditional Japanese companies are integrating digital assets into their treasury operations. By publicly disclosing the lending amount and the source of the increase — including reinvested profits — Remixpoint provides a rare level of detail for a corporate crypto lending program. The partnership with SBI Digital Finance also highlights the growing role of regulated financial intermediaries in the crypto lending space. Unlike the largely unregulated lending platforms that collapsed during the 2022 market downturn, SBI Digital Finance operates under Japan’s financial regulatory framework, which may offer greater protection for lenders. Implications for Bitcoin holders and investors For individual and institutional Bitcoin holders, Remixpoint’s strategy demonstrates a viable path to generate returns on digital assets without selling them. However, lending always carries counterparty risk, even with regulated partners. The fact that Remixpoint is reinvesting lending profits back into the program suggests confidence in the risk-reward profile. Market observers will be watching whether other Japanese companies with Bitcoin on their balance sheets — such as Metaplanet or GMO Internet — follow similar strategies. If the trend gains traction, it could increase the overall yield available in the Bitcoin lending market while also concentrating lending activity among a smaller number of regulated platforms. Conclusion Remixpoint’s expansion of its Bitcoin lending program to 1,496 BTC marks a significant step in corporate crypto asset management. By partnering with a regulated subsidiary of SBI Holdings and publicly detailing the composition of its lending pool, the company is setting a precedent for transparency in an industry often criticized for opacity. The move also underscores the maturation of the crypto lending sector, where institutional players are increasingly replacing the high-risk platforms of the past. FAQs Q1: What is Remixpoint? Remixpoint is a publicly traded Japanese company that provides energy and IT services. It has been actively investing in Bitcoin as part of its corporate treasury strategy. Q2: How does Bitcoin lending work for companies like Remixpoint? Companies lend their Bitcoin to a lending platform or service, which then lends it to borrowers. The lender earns interest, typically paid in Bitcoin or stablecoins, generating a yield on assets that would otherwise sit idle. Q3: Is Bitcoin lending safe? Bitcoin lending carries counterparty risk — the risk that the borrower or the lending platform fails to return the Bitcoin. Using regulated platforms like SBI Digital Finance, which operates under Japanese financial regulations, may reduce but not eliminate this risk. This post Remixpoint expands Bitcoin lending to 1,496 BTC in yield-generating strategy first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 May 2026, 06:02

Technical Analyst: A Sub $1 $XRP Is on the Cards. Get Ready to Buy Lower

XRP is trading at $1.4155, and technical analyst AllInCrypto (@RealAllinCrypto) is watching it closely. His analysis points to a potential decline below $1, and he sees that level as a significant buying opportunity. The chart he shared tells a clear story. XRP peaked above $2 in January after a brief climb , but has since declined. A rising trendline connects the lows from early February through April and into May. The asset is currently sitting just above that trendline support, near $1.41. A sub $1.00 ripple:native is on the cards… get ready to buy lower pic.twitter.com/yZF0y9n2Lu — ALLINCRYPTO (@RealAllinCrypto) May 16, 2026 What the Chart Shows The trendline has held through several tests. Each time XRP approached it, buyers stepped in. That pattern has kept the structure intact. The most recent candles show a rejection from the $1.55 area. The asset pulled back sharply and returned to trendline support. Volume picked up noticeably during the May spike, confirming the increased activity. If the trendline breaks, the next area of significance sits below $1. AllInCrypto’s analysis suggests that the outcome is possible. His position is that the drop, if it comes, sets up a buying opportunity rather than a reason to exit. The $19 Target Still Stands AllInCrypto previously set a long-term price target above $19 for XRP. That target has not been met. When pressed on the timeline, he said it “will get there just not as fast as we’d have liked.” His confidence in the long-term direction remains intact. The near-term decline he anticipates does not change his overall trajectory. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 What Comes Next? Responses to the analysis varied. One commenter pointed out that XRP has failed to sustain meaningful gains in ten years, noting that price remains roughly 50% below its previous highs despite a high-inflation environment. Another suggested that $1 after over a decade in the market acts as a warning sign rather than an entry point. However, not everyone was critical. One commenter expressed continued confidence, saying the strategy is to keep dollar-cost averaging until mass adoption arrives. The trendline is the level to watch. A break below it puts the sub-$1 scenario in play. AllInCrypto’s analysis positions that a potential drop as part of a longer-term recovery, with the $19 target as the destination. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Technical Analyst: A Sub $1 $XRP Is on the Cards. Get Ready to Buy Lower appeared first on Times Tabloid .

18 May 2026, 05:52

Bitcoin falls as ETF outflows spike: can bulls save $74K now?

Bitcoin has fallen over 6% from last week’s high of $81,700 as fresh macro concerns have taken center stage. As of last check, Bitcoin has lost a key support level at $78,000 and has pushed lower in tandem with accelerating market-wide liquidations. At the same time, the crypto market sentiment tracked via the Crypto Fear and Greed Index has dropped to 28 from last week, once again entering ‘Fear’ territory after a brief return to neutral levels the previous week. Why is Bitcoin price going down? Bitcoin has come under renewed pressure due to a number of reasons that are keeping traders on edge. The sell-off accelerated over the weekend after bulls failed to defend the $80,000 psychological support level. Now, forced selling from overleveraged bullish traders is triggering automated sell orders across exchanges, leaving Bitcoin exposed as liquidity on the buy side weakened. According to CoinGlass data, total crypto liquidations climbed 42% over the last 24 hours to nearly $661 million. Crypto liquidations 24-hour. Source: Coinglass. Bitcoin positions alone accounted for more than $182 million in liquidations, with over $160 million tied to long trades that were wiped out as prices rapidly moved lower. Meanwhile, institutional flows have also started cooling after supporting Bitcoin’s recovery earlier this month. Data compiled by SoSoValue showed US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than $1 billion in net outflows last week, ending a multi-week stretch of consistent inflows. Reports surrounding ETF activity also indicated that funds collectively shed close to 13,000 BTC within several trading sessions, signaling a slowdown in institutional accumulation. Macroeconomic developments have only added to the concerns. Recent US inflation data showed consumer inflation rising to 3.8%, while producer prices climbed 6%, strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than previously anticipated. Bond markets reacted quickly to the data. US 30-year Treasury yields climbed to 5.1%, while the 10-year and 2-year yields moved to 4.6% and 4.1%, respectively. Higher yields have historically weighed on Bitcoin and other speculative assets because tighter monetary conditions reduce investor appetite for risk. At the same time, oil prices surged as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified. Brent crude climbed to around $113 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded near $110 after renewed concerns surrounding possible military escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Some market observers believe the renewed spike in crude prices has amplified inflation concerns while driving capital away from high-risk assets such as Bitcoin and toward traditional safe havens, including gold and short-term US Treasuries. Pressure on Bitcoin also intensified as the US Dollar Index moved back toward the 101 level. A stronger dollar typically tightens global liquidity conditions and tends to weigh on cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin price analysis According to the 4-hour BTC/USD price chart, Bitcoin price has now slipped below all three major short-term exponential moving averages, a sign that bearish momentum has started overpowering the recovery structure that carried the asset above $82,000 earlier this month. BTC/USD 4-hour price chart. Source: TradingView. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near $76,900 after breaking beneath the 20 EMA at $78,416, the 50 EMA at $79,274, and the 100 EMA at $79,208. Losing all three levels within a short period has weakened the short-term market structure and placed sellers back in control. Meanwhile, the 200 EMA near $77,833 is also starting to lose strength as support after Bitcoin briefly moved below it during the latest sell-off. Traders often watch the 200 EMA closely because sustained trading below that level can indicate that bullish momentum is fading on higher timeframes. The Relative Strength Index, or RSI, has also continued sliding lower. On the 4-hour chart, RSI has dropped to around 32, pushing close to oversold territory after remaining near overbought conditions earlier this month during Bitcoin’s rally toward $82,000. Falling RSI levels alongside declining price action typically point to weak buying momentum. At the same time, the indicator has not yet shown a strong bullish divergence, suggesting sellers may still have room to pressure prices lower before a meaningful relief bounce develops. Volume activity has also picked up during the recent decline, particularly around large red candles near the breakdown below $78,000. Rising sell-side volume during a support breakdown often signals panic-driven exits and forced liquidations rather than controlled profit taking. From a price structure perspective, Bitcoin now risks revisiting the $76,000 zone, which acted as a temporary intraday support during the latest liquidation cascade. If it fails to hold, traders could begin watching the $74,000 to $75,000 region next, an area where Bitcoin previously found support during late April consolidation. On the upside, Bitcoin would first need to reclaim the $78,000 level before bulls can attempt another push toward the 100 EMA and 50 EMA cluster near $79,200 to $79,300. A stronger recovery would likely require Bitcoin to move back above the $80,000 psychological level, where heavy selling pressure recently emerged. The post Bitcoin falls as ETF outflows spike: can bulls save $74K now? appeared first on Invezz

18 May 2026, 05:50

South Korea’s FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s Dunamu Stake for Banking-Commerce Rule Breach

BitcoinWorld South Korea’s FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s Dunamu Stake for Banking-Commerce Rule Breach South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reviewing whether Hana Bank’s acquisition of a stake in Dunamu, the operator of the Upbit cryptocurrency exchange, violates the country’s long-standing rules on the separation of banking and commerce. The review, first reported by iNews24 on May 18, underscores the regulator’s cautious approach to financial institutions engaging with the digital asset sector. Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies An official from the FSC’s Virtual Asset Division confirmed that the agency is not currently moving to relax the separation rules. The official stated that even though Hana Bank opted to acquire shares in Kakao Investment, a subsidiary of Kakao Corp., rather than directly in Dunamu, the transaction is being treated as a substantive investment in Dunamu and is therefore subject to the same regulatory standards. This interpretation suggests that the FSC is applying a broad view of the rules to prevent financial institutions from indirectly entering the cryptocurrency business. Background of the Banking-Commerce Separation Rule South Korea’s banking-commerce separation principle is designed to prevent industrial capital from exerting undue influence over financial institutions, and vice versa. It restricts banks from owning more than a certain percentage of non-financial companies, and similarly limits non-financial firms from holding large stakes in banks. The rule has been a key pillar of financial stability in the country, but it has also created friction as traditional banks explore partnerships with technology and cryptocurrency firms. Implications for Hana Bank and the Crypto Market Hana Bank’s investment in Kakao Investment, which in turn holds a stake in Dunamu, was seen by some market participants as a creative workaround to the separation rules. However, the FSC’s stance signals that such indirect structures will face the same level of scrutiny as direct investments. For Hana Bank, this could mean a forced divestiture or restructuring of the stake if the regulator deems it non-compliant. For the broader cryptocurrency market in South Korea, the review reinforces the message that regulatory guardrails remain firmly in place, even as global interest in digital assets grows. Conclusion The FSC’s review of Hana Bank’s Dunamu stake highlights the ongoing tension between traditional financial regulations and the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency industry. As regulators worldwide grapple with how to oversee digital assets, South Korea’s approach remains one of caution and strict adherence to existing legal frameworks. The outcome of this review could set a precedent for how other financial institutions approach crypto-related investments in the country. FAQs Q1: What is the banking-commerce separation rule in South Korea? A1: It is a regulatory principle that restricts banks from owning significant stakes in non-financial companies, and vice versa, to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain financial stability. Q2: Why is the FSC reviewing Hana Bank’s investment in Dunamu? A2: The FSC is examining whether the indirect investment through Kakao Investment violates the separation rules, treating it as a substantive stake in Dunamu, the operator of the Upbit exchange. Q3: What could happen if the FSC finds a violation? A3: Hana Bank may be required to divest the stake or restructure the investment to comply with the rules, potentially setting a precedent for similar future transactions. This post South Korea’s FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s Dunamu Stake for Banking-Commerce Rule Breach first appeared on BitcoinWorld .