Analysis: Bitcoin's rise to $80,000 is driven by short covering, with open interest in futures contracts dropping to May lows

CoinDesk cites data from Glassnode indicating that Bitcoin recently surged to $80,000, primarily driven by short sellers being forced to cover their positions, rather than a large influx of new buyers. This characteristic has historically made the market more sustainable.

Data shows that as short positions were liquidated, Bitcoin futures open interest has dropped to 587,584 BTC, marking a nearly 5-month low. The market leverage level has decreased, providing a relatively more solid foundation for price trends.