{
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    "date": "2026-04-06T09:02:54",
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    "slug": "bitcoin-shorts-risk-2-5-billion-liquidation-at-72k-are-bears-in-danger",
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        "rendered": "Bitcoin shorts risk $2.5 billion liquidation at $72K: Are bears in danger?"
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        "rendered": "<div data-testid=\"html-renderer-container\">\n<p><strong>Key takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Bitcoin hitting $72,000 would liquidate $2.5 billion in shorts, potentially crushing bears who are overleveraged.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s war and high oil prices currently pressure BTC, but a ceasefire or ETF inflows could spark a rapid recovery.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>$2.5 billion in shorts at risk if BTC hits $72,000<\/h2>\n<p>Bitcoin (<a title=\"http:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/bitcoin-price\" href=\"http:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/bitcoin-price\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BTC<\/a>) has consistently failed to hit new highs since attempting to reclaim the $75,000 level since March 17.<\/p>\n<p>Bearish Bitcoin futures bets have been piling up as the war in Iran pushed oil prices to their highest levels since June 2022. However, two events could propel Bitcoin to $72,000 in the coming weeks and help cement a sustainable bull run.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2026-04\/019d583b-0620-794a-a7c9-caa57645edd4.png\"><figcaption><em>BTC futures aggregate estimated liquidation levels, USD. Source: Coinglass<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to Coinglass estimates, a total of $2.5 billion in short positions on Bitcoin futures will be liquidated if Bitcoin rises just 7.5% to $72,000 from the current $67,100 level.<\/p>\n<h2>BTC bears benefit from miners\u2019 sales, weak S&#038;P 500<\/h2>\n<p>Bears have been adding shorts since March 25, when Iran reportedly refused to negotiate a ceasefire. Additional selling pressure emerged as MARA Holdings (MARA US) announced it <a title=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/mara-sells-1-1b-btc-in-march-to-purchase-debt-at-a-discount\" href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/mara-sells-1-1b-btc-in-march-to-purchase-debt-at-a-discount\">sold 15,133 BTC<\/a> on March 26. The publicly listed Bitcoin miner shifted its focus to AI computing and chose to reduce its Bitcoin holdings to pay down debt.<\/p>\n<p>After peaking near 7,000 points on Jan. 28, the S&#038;P 500 dropped 10% by March 30. Investors fear <a title=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/markets\/rocky-us-economy-private-credit-stress-war-impact-bitcoin-s-odds-for-75k-rally\" href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/markets\/rocky-us-economy-private-credit-stress-war-impact-bitcoin-s-odds-for-75k-rally\" target=\"_self\" rel>recession risks<\/a> because central banks have less room to cut interest rates due to inflation.<\/p>\n<p>Oil prices have jumped over 70% since the war in Iran started in late February, which hikes logistics costs and cuts into consumer spending.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2026-04\/019d583b-0908-71ac-8b44-0c922cb2089d.png\"><figcaption><em>Interest rate target odds for the Sept. FOMC meeting. Source: Source: CME <\/em><a title=\"https:\/\/www.cmegroup.com\/markets\/interest-rates\/cme-fedwatch-tool.html\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cmegroup.com\/markets\/interest-rates\/cme-fedwatch-tool.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><em>FedWatch Tool<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Traders are pricing in 89% odds that the Fed will keep interest rates steady through September, with 5% odds of a hike to 4%.<\/p>\n<p>In early March, bond futures showed the opposite, with 79% odds of rate cuts. Returns on fixed-income investments will likely stay attractive for longer.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2026-04\/019d583b-0b7a-7242-88fd-21ed5624f730.png\"><figcaption><em>Bitcoin perpetual futures annualized funding rate. Source: <\/em><a title=\"https:\/\/app.laevitas.ch\/assets\/perpswaps\/BTC\/funding\" href=\"https:\/\/app.laevitas.ch\/assets\/perpswaps\/BTC\/funding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><em>Laevitas<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Meanwhile, confidence among Bitcoin bears has increased, as reflected by the negative funding rate in perpetual futures contracts.<\/p>\n<p>In neutral market conditions, longs usually pay to keep positions open, causing this indicator to range between 5% and 10% to compensate for capital costs.<\/p>\n<p>Negative funding rates signal a lack of demand for bullish leveraged bets and potential overconfidence from the bears.<\/p>\n<h2>Ceasefire or economic weakness may boost Bitcoin<\/h2>\n<p>While it is impossible to predict the outcome of the war involving Iran, a ceasefire agreement could spark bullish sentiment and catch bears by surprise.<\/p>\n<p>Bitcoin jumped from $69,150 to $74,900 during the five days ending March 16 after US-listed Bitcoin exchange-traded funds saw <a title=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/bitcoin-etfs-record-6-day-inflow-streak-longest-since-october\" href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/bitcoin-etfs-record-6-day-inflow-streak-longest-since-october\">$1.5 billion in net inflows<\/a> over two weeks. If ETF inflows resume, Bitcoin could also reclaim the $72,000 level.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Related: <\/strong><\/em><a title=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/bitcoin-gold-etfs-use-cases-analyst-james-seyffart\" href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/news\/bitcoin-gold-etfs-use-cases-analyst-james-seyffart\"><em><strong>Bitcoin ETFs &#8216;will be larger&#8217; than gold ETFs\u2013Analyst<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.cointelegraph.com\/uploads\/2026-04\/019d583b-0d98-7e3f-937c-564dad301bca.png\"><figcaption><em>US-listed Bitcoin ETF daily net flows, USD. Source: SoSoValue<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>US President Donald Trump has asked Congress to boost defense spending to $1.5 trillion, according to a 2027 budget proposal released Friday. These plans include a 10% cut in other areas to offset military expenses.<\/p>\n<p>Trump reportedly said at a private White House event on Wednesday: \u201cWe\u2019re fighting wars. We can\u2019t take care of day care,\u201d <a title=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/04\/03\/trump-budget-higher-defense-spending-domestic-cuts.html\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/04\/03\/trump-budget-higher-defense-spending-domestic-cuts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">according<\/a> to CNBC.<\/p>\n<p>If the US economy loses steam, or if <a title=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/markets\/rocky-us-economy-private-credit-stress-war-impact-bitcoin-s-odds-for-75k-rally\" href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/markets\/rocky-us-economy-private-credit-stress-war-impact-bitcoin-s-odds-for-75k-rally\">private credit redemptions<\/a> continue to pressure the market, investors will likely look for alternative hedges.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, Bitcoin\u2019s appeal would grow as the it presently trades 47% below its all-time high. Thus, a bull run to $72,000 might happen regardless of how long the war in Iran lasts.<\/p>\n<p><template data-type=\"markets_outlook\" data-name=\"subscription_form\" data-label=\"Subscription Form: Markets Outlook\"><\/template><\/div>\n<p data-testid=\"post-category-disclaimer\"><span>This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph&#8217;s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.<\/span><\/p>",
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        "rendered": "<p>Key takeaways: Bitcoin hitting $72,000 would liquidate $2.5 billion in shorts, potentially crushing bears who are overleveraged. Iran&#8217;s war and [&hellip;]<\/p>",
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