Wintermute: Bitcoin Bounce Looked Like a Squeeze; $70,000–$72,000 Risk If $75,000 Breaks

Wintermute said in its May 18 market update that Bitcoin's recent push higher failed its first major macro test and was driven more by leverage and short covering than sustained spot demand. The firm cited hotter inflation, higher Treasury yields, ETF outflows and renewed rate-hike pricing, noting BTC reversed after briefly topping $82,000 and ended the week near $78,000, with weekend moves toward $77,000 tied to $657 million in liquidations. Wintermute said $76,000–$78,000 is the near-term support zone, while a drop below $75,000 could put $70,000–$72,000 back in view; BTC was $77,297 at press time.