Bitcoin reaches for $87K as short liquidations top $120M
Bitcoin's price neared $87,000 after buyers broke through a significant wall of sell orders at $85,000, triggering over $120 million in BTC short liquidations. This surge marks its highest price since September 23, with analysts emphasizing the need for sustained ETF infl…
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash

Bitcoin experienced a notable price surge, pushing towards $87,000, as market participants overcame a substantial liquidity barrier around $85,000. This breakthrough led to significant short liquidations across exchanges, indicating a squeeze on bearish positions. However, the long-term sustainability of this upward momentum is closely tied to the performance of US spot Bitcoin ETF in…
Imagine Bitcoin is a toy car trying to drive up a hill, but there's a big pile of blocks (sell orders) in its way at $85,000. Recently, enough kids (buyers) pushed the car really hard, clearing those blocks and letting it zoom up to almost $87,000! This made some other kids who bet the car would go down (short sellers) lose their bets. Now, everyone is watching to see if more big trucks (investment funds) keep bringing new blocks (money) to help the car keep going higher.
Analysis
Bitcoin's recent price action has been characterized by a decisive move above a critical resistance level, demonstrating robust buying interest in the market. The cryptocurrency's ascent towards $87,000 was not merely a speculative rally but a consequence of fundamental shifts in market dynamics, particularly the clearing of significant sell-side liquidity. This event has implications for both short-term traders and long-term investors, as it reconfigures immediate resistance levels and potentially sets the stage for new price discovery.
85,000
The area around $85,000 proved to be a formidable barrier for Bitcoin's price throughout the week, acting as a concentration of sell orders that kept price action rangebound. Buyers, however, managed to break through this 'wall of ask liquidity,' as described by on-chain analytics platform Glassnode. This breakthrough was a pivotal moment, allowing the price to move up faster due to reduced resistance above this level. The removal of these sell orders suggests a shift in market sentiment and a weakening of bearish pressure at that specific price point.
Glassnode
On-chain analytics platform Glassnode provided crucial insights into the market's movements, noting that the reduction in ask liquidity above $85,000 should facilitate faster price appreciation. Their analysis also highlighted the importance of sustained Bitcoin ETF inflows as a confirmation for a broader uptrend. Glassnode's 'The Week Onchain' newsletter specifically pointed out that while funds are still buying, the pace has significantly cooled since September 21, when daily inflows hit an 11-month high. A return to that pace would be the clearest signal of renewed ETF demand, according to their assessment.
IBIT
BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) played a significant role in the recent ETF landscape, attracting $195 million in net inflows on October 1. Despite this strong performance from IBIT, the overall net inflows for US spot Bitcoin ETFs on that day were reduced to $102.7 million due to outflows from several other funds. This divergence underscores the competitive nature of the ETF market and the varying investor preferences among different offerings. The aggregate breakeven zone for investors in US spot Bitcoin ETFs remains around $86,000, making this price level particularly significant for assessing the profitability and sentiment of institutional investors.
Key points
- Bitcoin's price reached $86,857, its highest since September 23, after breaking through a sell wall at $85,000.
- Over $120 million in BTC short liquidations occurred within 24 hours following the price breakout.
- On-chain analytics from Glassnode indicate that reduced ask liquidity above $85,000 should allow for faster price movement.
- Sustained Bitcoin ETF inflows, which have recently slowed, are crucial for confirming a broader uptrend.
- BlackRock's IBIT attracted $195 million in inflows on October 1, contributing to overall net inflows of $102.7 million for US spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Should US spot Bitcoin ETF inflows regain their previous momentum, potentially matching the record pace seen in September, Bitcoin's uptrend could find robust confirmation and sustained support. This renewed institutional demand, coupled with the recent breakthrough of key resistance, could propel BTC to new highs, solidifying its bullish trajectory.
If the cooling trend in US spot Bitcoin ETF inflows persists or intensifies, the current price surge might lack the necessary institutional backing for long-term sustainability. This could lead to Bitcoin struggling to maintain its gains above the $86,000 breakeven zone for ETF investors, potentially facing renewed resistance or a pullback.
Market signals
- BTC Bitcoin broke through a significant sell wall, leading to short liquidations and reaching new highs, though sustained ETF inflows are needed for confirmation.
AI-generated analysis of potential market relevance. Not financial advice.


