TL;DR
- CryptoQuant says Bitcoin remains in a bull market, but rising unrealized profits among short-term traders could increase near-term selling pressure.
- Holders realized 25,700 BTC in profit on Sept. 22, the largest daily figure of 2026.
- At the same time, spot demand is contracting and futures growth has slowed, raising the possibility of a correction while key support levels remain intact.
Bitcoin faces growing correction risk as short-term traders’ unrealized profit margin reaches a 21-month high, according to CryptoQuant. The data suggests profit-taking is increasing even though broader market indicators continue to support a bullish cycle.
Holders are cashing in.
Profit-taking just hit a 2026 high, trader unrealized profits reached 33%, and demand is fading.
The bull market is intact, but the rally is showing cracks.
$80K is the first support to watch. pic.twitter.com/Hdw4JAtRF9
— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) September 29, 2026
Bitcoin Correction Risk Rises As Profits Expand
CryptoQuant head of research Julio Moreno said Bitcoin’s close above its 365-day moving average confirmed a new bull market last week. The firm’s Bitcoin Bull Score Index also remains at 90 out of 100, indicating strong underlying market conditions despite recent signs of fatigue.
Bitcoin recently reached an eight-month high of $87,400, but the rally has encountered increasing selling pressure. Short-term traders’ onchain unrealized profit margin climbed to 33%, its highest level since December 2024. Moreno said comparable profit margins have historically encouraged traders to lock in gains.
On Sept. 22, Bitcoin holders realized 25,700 BTC in profit, marking the largest single-day profit realization recorded in 2026. The increase suggests that some investors are using elevated prices to secure returns after the latest advance.
Altcoin flows also show greater potential selling activity. Seven-day cumulative altcoin inflow transactions reached 76,000, the highest level since Oct. 17, 2025. The number of addresses depositing altcoins on exchanges also climbed to 51,000. CryptoQuant said the increase was broad rather than concentrated among a few large wallets.
Bitcoin Demand Cools Across Spot And Futures Markets
Alongside higher profit-taking, CryptoQuant identified weaker demand as another factor that could limit Bitcoin’s short-term upside. Apparent spot demand contracted by 170,000 BTC over the past 30 days, indicating that fresh buying has not kept pace with the recent price increase.
Futures demand has also lost momentum. Growth in speculative futures demand fell from 164,000 BTC on Sept. 14 to only 16,000 BTC by Sept. 29. This slowdown matters because derivatives activity had been one of the main drivers behind Bitcoin’s recent advance.
If a correction develops, CryptoQuant identifies the 365-day moving average near $80,000 as the first major support area. Additional levels sit around $71,000 at the 200-day moving average and approximately $67,000 at the trader onchain realized price.
