Bitcoin approaches $80k: $3.6 billion in shorts at risk

Bitcoin is rising sharply and approaching the $80.000 mark. The price stands at $77.894, up 8.3% in 24 hours. That puts a large concentration of short positions at risk: according to data from a liquidation map, around $3.6 billion in short positions remain open above $80.000 and would be forcibly closed if the price crosses that threshold. More than $2.4 billion in Bitcoin shorts have already evaporated over the past three days.

In brief:

• Bitcoin rises 8.3% to $77.894 and approaches the $80.000 level
• A liquidation wave of $3.6 billion in short positions looms above $80.000
• More than $2.4 billion in Bitcoin shorts have been liquidated over the past three days

Short positions under pressure as Bitcoin nears $80.000

Traders who have bet on a further decline in Bitcoin’s price are increasingly getting into trouble. When Bitcoin rises above a certain price level, leveraged short positions are automatically liquidated. This means the exchange forcibly closes the position and the collateral is sold.

A liquidation map shows a significant concentration of short positions around $80.083. On Binance alone, this amounts to $88.58 million, on Bybit to $40.78 million and on OKX to $11.90 million. The cumulative total of short liquidation volume released in the event of a breakout above $80.000 stands at $3.67 billion.

The recent price rise has already triggered a considerable series of liquidations. Bitcoin previously rose by more than 7% due to the largest short squeeze ever on Binance, which puts the current move into perspective.

Bitcoin rises 20% in five days

The advance towards $77.894 is part of a broader recovery. Bitcoin has risen by around 20% over the past five days, after weeks of pressure on the price. That rise is now dragging along short traders who are forced to close their positions, further strengthening the upward movement.

Whether the price will actually move above $80.000 remains uncertain. If it does, the automatic liquidation of billions in short positions could push the price even higher. This mechanism is self-reinforcing: every forced closure adds to buying pressure, which in turn triggers new liquidations.

The Bitcoin Bull Score Index has turned bullish again for the first time since October 2025, indicating that market sentiment has improved noticeably. Whether that is enough to break through $80.000 and set off another wave of liquidations will become clear in the coming hours.