Data: The Bitcoin derivatives market has ended an 8-month deleveraging cycle, with open contracts on Binance returning above the 180-day moving average

According to analyst Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) in a social media post, since the event on October 10 last year, Bitcoin has undergone a long de-leveraging phase in the derivatives market. When open interest falls below the 180-day moving average, it usually indicates a decline in futures activity, and investors' risk-off behavior leads to a reduction in open interest. Affected by the deterioration of the global macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, traders generally choose to reduce their risk exposure.

This de-leveraging phase on Binance has lasted for about 8 months, with the last similar occurrence dating back to the previous bear market in 2022, just before the FTX collapse. However, since early May, the trend seems to be changing. Open interest on Binance has risen from $6.4 billion in March to about $8.96 billion currently, re-establishing itself above the current 180-day moving average of approximately $8.75 billion. This effectively marks the end of the de-leveraging cycle.

The return of investors to the derivatives market has clearly driven the current upward rebound, but it is still too early to call it a true recovery. Despite the continued deterioration of the macro environment, Bitcoin's significant pullback has attracted more speculative traders seeking rebound opportunities. It should be noted that this trend remains highly fragile; once Bitcoin resumes the adjustment trend that began last October, these traders may exit as quickly as they entered.