Bitcoin price nears $73K as exchange reserves flash rare signal

Bitcoin is facing a mixed market setup as exchange reserves fall to rare lows while short-term price indicators and holder profitability remain weak.

Bitcoin exchange reserves have fallen to 2,666,753 BTC, according to CryptoQuant data shared by thechessONCHAIN. The last comparable reading came on August 31, 2019, when Bitcoin traded near $9,430. Bitcoin now trades far higher at nearly the same exchange inventory level.

Meanwhile, the drop means fewer coins sit on trading platforms for immediate sale. That can reduce available supply, but it does not guarantee a price rebound. For Bitcoin to move higher, demand must be strong enough to absorb supply and rebuild market confidence.

The current setup differs from 2019 because spot Bitcoin ETFs now create a demand channel that did not exist during that earlier cycle. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs started trading in January 2024, and exchange reserves have kept falling during the ETF era.

That shift changes the supply picture, but it does not settle the price outlook. The main question is whether ETF demand and spot buying can offset weak cycle data and cautious holder behavior.

Cycle data keeps Bitcoin bulls cautious

The CryptoQuant Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator shows a different backdrop from 2019. On August 31, 2019, the indicator stood at +0.83, placing Bitcoin in a bull zone. Its 30-day moving average was +1.045, while its 365-day average was -0.206.

The latest reading points the other way. In May 2026, the indicator stood at -0.379, while the 30-day moving average was -0.375 and the 365-day moving average was -0.323. That keeps Bitcoin in a weaker cycle zone even as exchange reserves continue to fall.

This means the reserve drop alone does not confirm a bullish trend. The market has a tighter exchange supply, but the cycle indicator has not yet shown the same strength seen in 2019.

Crypto analyst K A L E O also pointed to cycle timing as a bear case for short-term optimism. He noted that past market bottoms arrived much later after halvings and said, “I’d love to see a bounce at $70K,” while also stating that he was ready for more time in the current range.

Long-term holder SOPR shows weaker profitability

Long-term holder profitability also shows pressure. Arab Chain said the long-term holder SOPR has fallen to around 0.87 while Bitcoin trades near the mid-$70,000 area. SOPR tracks whether coins moved by long-term holders are being spent in profit or loss.

A reading below 1 means some long-term holders are moving or selling Bitcoin below their purchase price. That does not always mark the end of a longer trend, but it shows that large or older holders are not selling from a strong profit position.

Source: CryptoQuant

The reading has also moved lower in recent months after sitting at higher levels during stronger market phases. That points to caution among long-term holders after recent volatility and the pullback from earlier highs.

Some traders still view lower SOPR zones as periods of rebalancing. In past cycles, weak holder-profit readings have appeared during consolidation phases before stronger moves returned. For now, the data shows pressure rather than clear recovery.

Bitcoin price analysis: MACD and RSI stay bearish

Bitcoin (BTC) traded near $73,257 at the time of writing, with an intraday high near $75,944 and a low near $72,678. The price remains below the mid-to-high $70,000 area that bulls need to reclaim for a stronger short-term recovery.

The MACD remains bearish. The MACD line is below the signal line, and the histogram is still negative at around -145. That shows downside momentum remains active, although the histogram is not deeply stretched.

The RSI sits near 35.12, below its moving average around 45.03. This shows that sellers still control short-term momentum. RSI is moving closer to oversold levels, but it has not reached a point that confirms a full reset.

Traders are also watching whale positioning. CW said Bitcoin whales had moved toward long positions but warned, “We need to see if they maintain this trend.” 

The short-term bias remains cautious while Bitcoin trades below stronger recovery levels. A move back above the mid-to-high $70,000 zone with stronger volume could improve the setup. Failure to hold current levels may keep attention on support near $70,000 and $68,000.