Shorts Are Exploding On Bitcoin, Large Investors Are Taking Positions
As Bitcoin brushes against $85,000, a quiet tension stirs the markets. Behind this apparent resistance lies a paradoxical movement: “whales” are silently preparing their offensive. Their strategy? Massive bets on the downside, despite a technical rebound that would make optimists dream. A risky game, indicative of unprecedented distrust, but also of an invisible battle where every dollar counts. Strategy of the man.
The recent rebound of Bitcoin to $87,000 has sparked a fleeting hope. Yet, data from Alphractal delineates another reality: big holders have taken advantage of this rise to lock in their gains… and open record short positions.
A brutal, almost cynical turnaround. As if these actors, accustomed to reversals, see in every ascent an opportunity for a fall.
This distrust is explained by a rising financial leverage, signaling an overheated Bitcoin market. The Aggregated Open Interest/Market Cap Ratio, a key indicator, is dangerously climbing.
Bets with leverage are multiplying, creating a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest shock. Cascade liquidations are looming, reminiscent of past crashes where excess confidence precipitated the falls.
But why are these seasoned investors defying the trend? Perhaps they anticipate a technical pullback after a consolidation that’s gone on too long. Or, are they fearing an unstable macroeconomic environment — stubborn inflation, geopolitical tensions? In any case, their massive movement weighs like a sword of Damocles over the prices.
In the shadow of bearish bets, one signal intrigues: whale wallets have grown by 62,000 BTC since March. Discreet accumulation or mere repositioning? IntoTheBlock highlights this contradiction.
Some see it as a sign of long-term confidence, despite current turbulence. As if major players are already preparing for the post-crisis period, playing across multiple timelines.
Technical analyst Captain Faibik adds fuel to the fire of the optimists. His thesis? A “Falling Wedge” in formation, a chart pattern heralding an explosive rebound.
According to him, 10 to 15 days of consolidation would be enough to propel Bitcoin towards $109,000, shattering its ATH. An enticing scenario, but one that assumes a clear break from current resistance and, above all, a market capable of withstanding the manipulations of big holders.
A crucial question remains: who, algorithms or whales, will dictate the next trend? On-chain and technical indicators clash, creating unprecedented uncertainty. Small investors are navigating through murky waters, torn between the fear of missing the rebound and the dread of a bearish trap.
Bitcoin today embodies a fascinating duality. On one side, large investors, armed with their short positions, are betting on a collapse. On the other side, technical and on-chain signals suggest historical potential. This tension illustrates a market in search of bearings, where each actor shapes their own vision. On the institutional side, 83% intend to increase their exposure to cryptocurrencies .
Is Bitcoin Really Risky? BlackRock Shatters The Myth
Against all odds, BlackRock, the global asset management giant, is shaking up preconceived notions about bitcoin. While cryptocurrencies are often associated with volatility and risk, Robert Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, dismantles this narrative. In a context where bitcoin has lost 20% of its value since its peak at the end of 2023, his recent statements on CNBC resonate like a bold plea. Why is a traditional institution defending such a disruptive vision? The answer lies in a subtle strategy and a deep understanding of market evolution.
Robert Mitchnick points out a troubling paradox: the crypto industry itself may have fueled the reputation of bitcoin as a risky asset.
By emphasizing its volatility or potential for quick gains, industry players may have inflicted a “self-inflicted wound”.
However, Mitchnick reminds us of bitcoin’s fundamentals: algorithmic scarcity, decentralization, absence of state sovereignty. All of these advantages, according to him, bring it closer to digital gold than to tech stocks.
The approval of Bitcoin ETFs in 2023 marked a silent break. With $100 billion in assets under management, these funds — including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) — have institutionalized access to bitcoin.
IBIT, in particular, has shattered records: $10 billion reached in just a few weeks, an unprecedented feat in 32 years of ETF history. These figures do not reflect a mere speculative trend, but structural adoption.
Bitcoin has indeed dropped by 20% in 2025, weighed down by recession fears and Trump’s tariff policies.
But Mitchnick brushes aside these concerns:
Tariffs are not a fundamental risk for bitcoin. A recession, on the contrary, could be a catalyst.
He also highlights a 15% rise since November 2024, evidence that the token withstands turbulence better than other assets. Volatility, often confused with risk, masks a more complex reality.
At the beginning of 2025, BlackRock integrated its Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) into its model portfolios, with an allocation of 1% to 2%. A minimalistic decision in appearance, but heavy with meaning.
These portfolios, intended for high-risk investors, now include bitcoin on par with real estate or commodities.
For Mitchnick, this is a key step towards normalization:
Bitcoin is not a niche. It is an asset class in its own right.
Despite concerns about interest rates or American growth, BlackRock bets on bitcoin as a hedge. Mitchnick reminds a crucial fact: a rise in rates would also penalize stocks.
Bitcoin, on the other hand, offers partial decorrelation — a benefit in times of instability. “In the event of a systemic crisis, investors will seek assets outside the traditional banking system,” he argues. A reasoning reminiscent of the rise of gold in the 1970s.
BlackRock does not defend bitcoin as a speculative bet, but as a store of value. The analogy with gold recurs like a leitmotif: scarcity, universality, resistance to censorship.
Pakistan eyes surplus power use for crypto mining: report
Pakistan is developing special electricity tariffs to attract cryptocurrency mining operations as part of a strategy to use the country’s surplus power generation capacity.
According to a report by Dawn , the Power Division is consulting with various stakeholders to create attractive electricity rates for these industries without introducing subsidies. The initiative plans to use excess power production while reducing capacity payments.
This approach could appeal to cryptocurrency miners, who generally spend 60-70% of their earnings on electricity costs. Pakistan’s current surplus electricity situation offers potential competitive advantages.
Power Minister Awais Leghari recently met with Bilal Bin Saqib, chief executive of the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), to discuss opportunities for global crypto miners to leverage Pakistan’s excess electricity. This was followed by the PCC’s inaugural meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and attended by key financial regulators.
During the meeting, Saqib presented a vision for “leveraging Pakistan’s surplus electricity for Bitcoin ( BTC ) mining, potentially turning the country’s liabilities into assets.”
The council discussed Pakistan’s untapped potential in the cryptocurrency space. They also identified regulatory clarity as a key requirement for unlocking the sector’s full potential.
The council agreed to learn from global best practices while ensuring business and revenue models are adapted to local conditions. They also discussed the development of regulatory frameworks, legislation, and licensing regimes for consumer protection, blockchain mining, and a national blockchain policy.
Pakistan’s approach to cryptocurrency mining comes as various countries have taken different approaches to the energy-intensive industry. China, once the global hub for Bitcoin mining, banned the practice in 2021, citing environmental concerns and power shortages.
Kazakhstan initially welcomed crypto mining but later imposed higher electricity tariffs and taxes due to energy shortages. El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, provides miners with low-cost geothermal energy from volcanoes.
Justin Sun Backs TRX Halving, Says TRON Validators Will Still Profit
Justin Sun, the founder of the TRON blockchain, recently addressed community discussions regarding a proposal to reduce TRX block rewards. This aims to slow the rate at which new TRX tokens enter circulation, implementing a Bitcoin-like halving mechanism designed to control inflation and potentially increase the asset’s long-term value.
In a post on X , Sun highlighted that TRX already operates under a deflationary model, with an annual reduction of 1%, making it the only major cryptocurrency with built-in deflation. However, as TRX’s price has surged, the rewards for block-producing nodes have also grown significantly, prompting discussions about the need for a moderate reduction in block rewards.
“Bitcoin followed a similar path,” Sun explained. “In its early days, higher rewards were necessary to bootstrap the network. But as Bitcoin’s value increased, block rewards were gradually reduced, and the halving cycle became a key factor in its long-term sustainability, aligning with Satoshi Nakamoto’s original vision.”
Sun outlined how different levels of block reward reduction could impact TRON’s economic model, emphasizing the potential benefits of a more deflationary structure. A daily reduction of 1 million TRX would raise the deflation rate to 1.5% per year, a 50% increase from the current rate, while a larger cut of 2 million TRX per day would double the deflation rate to 2% per year, making TRX’s emission model even more aligned with Bitcoin’s halving cycle.
Despite concerns about lower block rewards, Sun reassured the community that validators would still remain highly incentivized due to TRON’s expanding network activity and multiple revenue streams beyond block rewards. He emphasized that TRON validators are not solely reliant on block rewards for profitability, as they benefit from transaction fees generated by increased network usage, staking rewards for securing the network, and higher token value resulting from increased scarcity.
As the founder explained, these factors would help maintain validator incentives while promoting long-term sustainability within the TRON ecosystem. Sun emphasized that these mechanisms would help balance out the impact of lower block rewards. According to the proposal , these changes will benefit all validators, align TRX block rewards with the maturity of the TRON network, and promote sustainable ecosystem growth.
As mentioned in our previous report , TRON is planning to expand its ecosystem by integrating the TRX token into the Solana blockchain. This integration will allow TRX to be traded on Solana-based decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and liquidity platforms, strengthening its presence within Solana’s DeFi ecosystem. In addition to this development, Justin Sun recently hinted in a post on X that a TRX Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) may be in the works, a move that could further boost liquidity and attract more institutional investors.
Currently, TRX is trading at $0.23, reflecting a 0.7% increase in the past 24 hours and an impressive 93.7% surge over the past year. However, TRX’s trading volume has dropped by 22.2% in the last 24 hours, settling at $517 million.
Dubai Blockchain News: $16B RWA Tokenization Reshaping Real Estate Investment
Dubai is revolutionizing real estate with blockchain-powered RWA tokenization , unlocking a $16 billion market opportunity. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) is piloting a program to digitize property title deeds on the blockchain, making real estate investment more accessible, transparent, and efficient. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s 2033 real estate vision, reinforcing its position as a global technology hub and attracting investors worldwide.
Dubai’s tokenization initiative marks a shift in real estate investment. Here’s how RWA (Real World Assets) tokenization compares to traditional real estate:
Dubai’s tokenization initiative allows retail investors to own fractions of high-value properties, a game-changer compared to traditional ownership models.
Dubai’s real estate tokenization initiative is a game-changer, integrating blockchain technology into property investments. As the market moves toward a projected $16B valuation, Dubai is setting a global benchmark for real estate innovation. With increasing regulatory clarity and strategic partnerships , this move could reshape real estate investment worldwide.