Bitcoin Nears Its Best Buying Zone in Three Years
Bitcoin’s realized price represents the average acquisition cost of on-chain holders. The closer the spot price moves to that level, the more it typically indicates that unrealized profits are shrinking and selling pressure is gradually being cleared. CryptoQuant gauges Bitcoin’s position in the market cycle by measuring the spot-price premium over the realized price. Bear-market bottoms have historically involved prices falling below holders’ cost basis and loss-making investors capitulating, making the size of that premium an important signal for identifying a buying zone.
As of July 19, 2026, CryptoQuant data showed Bitcoin’s spot price was only about 21% above its realized price, placing it closer to the “best investment opportunity” zone than at any time in nearly three years. However, on-chain data has yet to show the loss-driven selling typical of a market bottom. To replicate historical capitulation patterns, Bitcoin may need to fall by about another $5,000 and test the $53,600–$54,000 range.
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The history behind this eventIndicator Suggests Bitcoin May Need to Fall Another 15% to Confirm a Bottom
The “realized price” represents the average on-chain acquisition cost of all bitcoin in circulation, and Glassnode uses it to gauge whether holders overall are sitting on losses. Bitcoin briefly fell below this level before bottoming in 2011, 2015, 2018–2019, March 2020 and the 2022 bear market. The measure is therefore viewed as an important gauge of market capitulation and cyclical lows.
CoinDesk reported on June 23, 2026, that bitcoin was testing its 200-week moving average at about $62,400. If that level fails, the next threshold would be Glassnode’s estimated realized price of $53,457, more than 15% below the level at the time. Whales holding 10,000 to 100,000 BTC have an estimated cost basis of about $54,300, and the market could find a bottom in the $50,000–$54,000 range.
Bitcoin Consolidates Near $77,500 as Market Leverage Falls Sharply
Bitcoin failed to break above $80,000, shifting the market’s focus to support at $75,000. Repeated profit-taking near $77,000 points to insufficient spot demand. Short covering has lifted prices but has not generated enough momentum for a sustained breakout.
As of July 19, Bitcoin was trading mainly between $77,500 and $78,500, most recently at about $77,700. Open interest in the derivatives market fell by more than 6%, indicating that traders were actively reducing leverage. Volatility also cooled after the wave of liquidations, while analysts are watching whether $75,000 support can hold.
Bitcoin Rally Shows Distinct Trading-Hour Pattern
Bitcoin’s latest rally has followed a clear time-zone pattern, with most gains over the past three months driven by trading during Asia-Pacific and U.S. hours. This reflects shifts in global capital flows and risk appetite. The reports did not identify the research provider or the start and end dates of the data, so the findings remain subject to sample limitations.
The latest analysis found that Bitcoin generated its strongest average returns between 00:00 and 01:00 UTC, while Monday was its best-performing trading day. At the time covered by the reports, improving sentiment toward global risk assets was pushing Bitcoin toward the $82,000 threshold, although no exact date or real-time price was provided.
Historical Averages Point to Possible Bitcoin Bottom at $57,000, Analyst Says
Bitcoin’s market bottom is often estimated using declines, cycle duration and cost ranges from previous bull and bear markets, making $57,000 a potential support benchmark. Historical averages can help investors assess downside risk, but they do not guarantee prices and remain subject to capital flows, macroeconomic conditions and market sentiment.
A recent report cited an analyst as saying historical averages suggest Bitcoin could bottom near $57,000 in the current cycle. The available information does not identify the analyst or their firm, specify the period covered by the model or give the report’s publication date. The level can therefore only be treated as a cycle benchmark for now, rather than a confirmed market bottom.
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