Bitcoin may act as a ‘canary in the coal mine’ as risk-off pressure spreads: Bitwise

Bitwise research suggests that Bitcoin is leading a broader risk-off move across markets as global liquidity and stablecoin reserves remain elevated.

Bitcoin’s (BTC) recent performance may be less about crypto market weakness and more about its position at the front of the risk curve. Asset management firm Bitwise said that BTC often acts as a “canary in the macro coal mine,” responding to shifts in liquidity and financial conditions before traditional markets. With equities now showing similar signs of strain, the firm sees Bitcoin's move as part of a wider risk-off adjustment. 

Bitwise said that Bitcoin and Ether reached cycle lows of $58,000 and $1,507, respectively, as other global risk assets faced mounting pressure. The Nasdaq recorded its sharpest daily decline of 5% in months, and South Korea’s KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index), its benchmark stock index, triggered a temporary trading halt after a steep sell-off led by semiconductor stocks.

The shift followed stronger-than-expected US labor market data, which reduced expectations for near-term Federal Reserve easing. Higher-for-longer interest rate expectations kept the 10-year US Treasury yields higher and weighed on growth-sensitive assets. The US 10-year yield held near 4.53% on Tuesday after touching 4.68% last month, its highest level in a year.

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