Bitcoin Apparent Demand Turns Negative — What This Means For Price

Bitcoin prices are consolidating around $111,000 following the heavy market losses on October 10, due to a trade war between the US and China. The asset’s price is presently down by 9.45% on its weekly chart and also 12.16% away from its all-time high amidst this corrective phase.

In an X post on October 11, popular market analyst Ali Martinez shares on-chain data that shows that Bitcoin’s apparent demand has recently flipped into negative territory for the first time in three months, suggesting a short-term cooling in investors’ appetite.

For context, the apparent demand measures the net amount of Bitcoin being accumulated by active holders. In simpler terms, it reflects how much of the Bitcoin supply is being reactivated or moved relative to how much is newly created. A positive reading generally indicates growing market demand and accumulation, while a negative value suggests reduced appetite or selling pressure.

Data from on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant shows that as of October 8, Bitcoin’s 30-day apparent demand has dropped to -13,707 BTC.  This development marks the first negative reading since July, when the metric last turned red before rebounding strongly alongside Bitcoin’s summer rally.

Throughout August and September, Bitcoin’s apparent demand remained firmly positive, even as prices moved between $108,000 and $122,000, suggesting steady accumulation. However, the latest data shows a sharp reversal. The drop into negative territory could mean that long-term holders have started realizing profits or that buying momentum has temporarily slowed as traders assess the macro environment.

Interestingly, the macro environment has also become a growing concern for investors, as the United States and China appear poised for a renewed tariff standoff. Notably, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, following China’s proposal to introduce a sweeping export tax on several key goods.

Given the historical reaction of market price to tariff news seen during the early days of Trump’s administration, investor sentiment may remain subdued if this trade showdown persists, with many likely adopting a cautious stance until a clearer policy direction emerges.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades at $111,800, reflecting a 0.47% decline over the past 24 hours. On a monthly basis, the asset is down 3.06%, underscoring the intensity of the current corrective phase in the market.

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