Buyers of the leading cryptocurrency are returning to Binance and Coinbase for the first time after two months of active selling, according to CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost.
🗞️ Buyer activity returns to bitcoin after heavy February selling
— Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) March 17, 2026
Despite escalating tensions in Iran, Bitcoin continues to show a degree of resilience, particularly compared to equities and commodities, which are increasingly displaying toppish market structures.
This is all… pic.twitter.com/NoAMPr8HFD
According to him, Bitcoin is demonstrating unexpected resilience amid escalating conflict in Iran and a potentially hawkish stance from the Federal Reserve. On March 17, the first cryptocurrency tested $75,000 — its highest value in a month and a half.
The key indicator of a shift in market sentiment is the change in trading volumes favoring buyers on major exchanges, the expert noted. On February 16, the 30-day moving average delta volume on Binance was negative at $145 million, and on Coinbase, it was negative at $88 million. Retail and institutional participants were primarily selling at that time.
As of mid-March, the picture has changed: the average delta on Binance is now positive at $21 million, and on Coinbase, it is positive at $14 million.
“The movement is still moderate, but it marks a clear improvement compared to February conditions,” Darkfost stated.
However, he cautioned that the trend needs confirmation. The crypto market is still lacking liquidity. Nevertheless, if the current dynamics persist, it could gradually support prices and allow Bitcoin to break out of its narrow range, the analyst concluded.
Other Positive Signals
Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets at Bernstein, added that the panic among retail investors has “not broken” long-term holders.
"Bitcoin retail holders have panic sold in recent months. However, long-term holders remain resilient. Bitcoin holders inactive for more than 1 year stand at 60% of total supply. This ownership structure is unique to Bitcoin, signifying long-term ‘believers’ who remain… pic.twitter.com/haOsfc3aR5
— Matthew Sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) March 16, 2026
Currently, 60% of all coins have not moved in over a year. Experts have described this as a unique structure for Bitcoin, indicating that the majority of investors view the asset as a store of value, despite its underperformance compared to gold last year.
“Additionally, nearly 14% of the BTC supply is already held by ETFs, corporate treasuries (including Strategy), and governments. The stable capital base of Bitcoin continues to grow,” analysts noted.
Investor Sweep pointed out the funding rates for digital gold. For the first time in the last two weeks, they have turned positive.
Bitcoin perpetual funding rates have been negative for 14 consecutive days
— Sweep (@0xSweep) March 16, 2026
The entire market was short
Today, funding just flipped green. The last time this happened, Bitcoin 4x'd pic.twitter.com/W5zIEHucUd
“The last time this happened, Bitcoin quadrupled in price,” the expert wrote.
CryptoQuant analyst Ignacio Moreno de Vicente noted a structural signal indicating a market regime shift. The Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse (IFP) has crossed above its 90-day moving average for the first time in a long while.
A Structural Liquidity Signal Just Turned Positive for Bitcoin
— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) March 16, 2026
“Bitcoin’s Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse (IFP) has recently flipped back into bullish territory as the indicator crosses above its 90-day moving average.” – By @MorenoDV_ pic.twitter.com/fLkZEkZiOC
Historically, such signals have preceded sustained growth phases in 2016, 2019, and 2022.
At the time of writing, the first cryptocurrency is trading around $73,600.
Michael van de Poppe, founder of MN Trading, believes the next target could be the range between $76,000 and $80,000.
#Bitcoin starts to trend upwards and is on its way towards the next resistance around $76-80K.
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) March 17, 2026
I don't think we'll pass that in one go, but at least we're building a monthly engulfing and, slowly but surely, the sentiment is switching. pic.twitter.com/KyhGaOczzf
“I don't think we'll break through that level in one go, but at least we're forming a monthly engulfing pattern, and slowly but surely, the sentiment is changing,” he shared.
Recall that in March, analysts at Santiment noted accumulation of Bitcoin positions by large holders.