BTC LTH/STH Supply Ratio Drops 11%: Glassnode Signals Potential Pre-ATH Distribution Pattern

According to glassnode, the Bitcoin LTH/STH Supply Ratio, which measures the proportion of BTC held by long-term holders versus new entrants, has declined by 11% over the past 30 days. This significant drop indicates ongoing rotation from accumulation to distribution, a pattern that has historically occurred before previous all-time highs. The shift suggests that long-term holders are starting to distribute their BTC holdings, which could impact short-term price dynamics and provide potential trading opportunities for active market participants. Source: glassnode
SourceAnalysis
The recent drop in Bitcoin's LTH/STH Supply Ratio has captured the attention of cryptocurrency traders, signaling a potential shift in market dynamics that could pave the way for new all-time highs. According to glassnode, this ratio, which compares the BTC supply held by long-term investors to that of new entrants, has plummeted by 11% over the past 30 days as of July 30, 2025. This decline reflects a continued rotation into distribution, where long-term holders are offloading their positions to newer market participants. Historically, such patterns have preceded previous BTC all-time highs, highlighting a structurally consistent change in investor positioning that savvy traders should monitor closely for trading opportunities.
Understanding the LTH/STH Supply Ratio and Its Trading Implications
Diving deeper into this metric, the LTH/STH Supply Ratio serves as a key on-chain indicator for Bitcoin market analysis. Long-term holders (LTH) are typically defined as those who have held BTC for over 155 days, while short-term holders (STH) are newer entrants with holdings under that threshold. The 11% drop over the last 30 days suggests that LTHs are distributing their coins, possibly taking profits amid rising prices or reallocating capital. This rotation has been observed before major BTC rallies, such as those leading to the 2021 peak, where similar distribution phases allowed new buyers to accumulate at lower levels before upward momentum built. For traders, this could indicate an upcoming phase of volatility, with potential support levels around recent lows like $50,000 to $55,000 BTC/USD, based on historical patterns. Without real-time data, it's crucial to watch trading volumes on pairs like BTC/USDT, where increased volume during distribution often correlates with heightened market interest and potential breakouts.
Historical Patterns and Current Market Sentiment
Looking back, this distribution pattern has consistently preceded Bitcoin all-time highs, providing a roadmap for strategic trading. For instance, prior to the 2017 and 2021 ATHs, similar declines in the LTH/STH ratio were followed by explosive price movements, driven by fresh capital inflows from retail and institutional investors. In the current context, as of July 30, 2025, this shift underscores a bullish sentiment shift, where weakening LTH dominance allows for broader market participation. Traders should consider this in conjunction with other indicators, such as the Bitcoin Realized Price or Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR), which might show profitability levels encouraging sales. If BTC approaches resistance near $70,000, this ratio's decline could signal a breakthrough, offering long positions with stop-losses below key moving averages like the 50-day EMA. Market sentiment remains optimistic, with institutional flows into BTC ETFs potentially amplifying this rotation, creating cross-market opportunities linked to stock indices like the S&P 500, where crypto correlations have strengthened.
From a trading perspective, this LTH/STH dynamic opens up several strategies. Swing traders might look for entry points during pullbacks, targeting a retest of support zones while monitoring on-chain metrics for confirmation of accumulation. Day traders could focus on intraday volatility in BTC pairs, such as BTC/ETH or BTC/USDC, where distribution phases often lead to short-term spikes in trading volume. Over the past month, if we assume steady volume increases aligning with this ratio drop, it points to growing liquidity that could support a rally. However, risks remain, including macroeconomic factors like interest rate changes that might influence BTC's safe-haven status. Overall, this pattern reinforces Bitcoin's resilience, suggesting that proactive traders position themselves for potential upside, with careful risk management to navigate any short-term corrections.
Broader Implications for Crypto Trading Strategies
Integrating this insight into a comprehensive trading plan, the LTH/STH Supply Ratio's decline emphasizes the importance of on-chain analysis in cryptocurrency markets. As Bitcoin evolves, these metrics provide concrete data points for predicting shifts, such as the rotation from accumulation to distribution phases. For those trading altcoins, this BTC signal could spill over, boosting pairs like ETH/BTC if Ethereum benefits from similar investor rotations. In terms of market indicators, combining this with RSI or MACD on daily charts could reveal overbought conditions post-distribution, offering sell signals before reversals. Ultimately, this development as of July 30, 2025, highlights trading opportunities amid structurally consistent patterns, encouraging investors to stay vigilant for the next ATH push while balancing exposure across diversified crypto portfolios.
glassnode
@glassnodeWorld leading onchain & financial metrics, charts, data & insights for #Bitcoin & digital assets.