Bitcoin sees largest short deleveraging of 2026 with $52.7M in futures liquidated

Bitcoin experienced its largest short deleveraging of 2026, with $52.69 million in BTC futures liquidated, predominantly from shorts. In the Bitcoin Price Targets market, a YES share for Bitcoin reaching $100,000 by December 31 is priced at 38%, up from 30% a week ago.

Market reaction

The short squeeze wiped out a large concentration of bearish bets, reducing selling pressure. The Bitcoin Above Price Predictions in April market currently shows no active trades as of today, with odds for Bitcoin exceeding $56,000 in April unspecified. The Bitcoin Price Predictions in April market is similarly inactive, suggesting traders are waiting for clearer signals.

The $100,000 target moved from 30% to 38% over the past week. The $150,000 target sits at 9.5% YES, down from 10% a day ago. Volume was $2,187 in USDC traded over the past 24 hours, with $10,824 needed to shift the $100,000 odds by five points, indicating decent liquidity.

Why it matters

The $52.69 million liquidation is the year’s largest and removes a layer of short-side pressure that had built up during recent geopolitical tensions. But the deleveraging alone is unlikely to change the broader trend without additional catalysts. The gap between the $100,000 target at 38% and the $150,000 target at 9.5% shows traders are pricing in a moderate recovery, not a breakout.

What to watch

Triggers that could move these markets further include ETF inflows, geopolitical resolutions, BlackRock ETF activity, or a shift in Federal Reserve policy. The inactivity in the April-specific markets means near-term directional bets are thin, so any new information could move prices quickly.

At 38¢, a YES share for Bitcoin hitting $100,000 by year-end pays $1, a potential 2.63x return. That bet requires sustained easing of geopolitical tensions and supportive macroeconomic conditions to pay off.

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