Bitcoin volatility hits 2022 high as short-term holders yield – Will $65K hold?

Bitcoin’s [BTC] market structure has shifted into a visibly more volatile phase. Recently, the 30-day Realized volatility on Binance climbed close to 0.83 – Marking its highest reading since 2022.

Previously, through most of late 2025, volatility had stayed compressed between 0.42 and 0.45. At the time, it hinted at calmer trading conditions as the price gradually advanced on the charts.

Source: CryptoQuant

However, this stability has now given way to expanding daily ranges. At press time, Bitcoin was trading near $65,500 while volatility rose sharply, indicating an intensifying struggle between buyers attempting to defend support and sellers pushing liquidity exits.

At the same time, on-chain activity revealed the underlying catalyst.

Short-Term Holders have continued to realize heavy losses, with the 7-day average exceeding $1.26 billion daily and occasional spikes above $2.4 billion.

Source: NewHedge

Such magnitudes closely resemble stress levels seen during the FTX-driven volatility surge of 2022. Meanwhile, spot liquidity has been relatively thin. This has allowed each wave of selling to generate larger price swings.

Thus, elevated volatility reflects capitulation pressure rather than fresh distribution, gradually pointing towards seller exhaustion as weaker holders exit positions.

Short-term holder capitulation accelerates as Bitcoin volatility expands

Against this backdrop of rising realized volatility, short-term holder behavior revealed the immediate source of market stress. As volatility expanded towards 0.83, selling pressure increasingly originated from recent buyers reacting to falling prices.

Earlier in the cycle, Bitcoin traded close to $95,000 in November while loss transfers to exchanges remained relatively moderate. Gradually, however, market conditions deteriorated as repeated waves of loss realization emerged.

Source: CryptoQuant

Through December and early January, Bitcoin’s price fluctuated between $88,000 and $92,000, while red loss clusters intensified during each episode of downside. These flows reflected growing distress among short-term participants who entered near the cycle highs.

Thereafter, the correction accelerated. Bitcoin slipped below $80,000, eventually sliding towards $65,700 as volatility widened alongside exchange inflows.

At the same time, Short-term holders transferred more than 23,300 BTC to exchanges at a loss within 24 hours. Meanwhile, larger wallets holding 100+ BTC continued expanding, indicating longer-term accumulation even as weaker holders exited the market.

Bitcoin tests dense $65k–$70k cost-basis support

Bitcoin repeatedly tested the $65,000–$70,000 band as volatility intensified around this dense cost-basis zone. Right now, the heaviest concentration sits between $66,900 and $70,600, where short-term holders from the 2025 rally dominate positioning.

As the price trades near $65,060 at press time, sellers will continue to press lower levels. Meanwhile, buyers will absorb supply, gradually turning the range into structural accumulation rather than simple consolidation.

If short-term holder losses keep moderating and volatility falls below 0.60, Bitcoin may stabilize above $65,000. However, persistent exchange inflows and repeated $70,000 rejections could turn the band into a prolonged liquidity trap.

Final Summary