3 warning signs suggest the Bitcoin price rally is overextended

It’s a classic euphoria setup on Bitcoin markets Thursday as traders flip long BTC in ever larger numbers.

Bitcoin (BTC) faced fresh doubts over the strength of its bull run on Oct. 7 as analysts eyed a potential reversal of Wednesday’s short squeeze.

Funding rates in the red zone

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView tracked BTC/USD as it hovered near $54,000 after failing to establish support at the $55,000 mark.

The previous day had seen an abrupt surge to highs of $55,700 for Bitcoin, which was accompanied by major buying pressure.

As funding rates flip positive across exchanges, however, concerns on Thursday focused on what could end up being an opposing move lower.

Funding rates turning overly positive suggest that the market is expecting further upside and that significant value is long BTC. Under such circumstances, a mass unwinding of positions could hasten and intensify a downward move, should it begin.

The mood among investors was echoed by sentiment data, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index hitting 76/100 on the day, representing “extreme greed.”

“Investors are extremely greedy towards BTC right now,” trader and analyst Rekt Capital warned.

Preparing for profit-taking

While under $10,000 from all-time highs at one point, Bitcoin additionally faces significant resistance levels at $58,000, $60,000, and more on the way to returning to price discovery.

Related: Price spike: Are whales front-running the approval of a Bitcoin futures ETF?

As Cointelegraph reported, October is slated to close just below the highs, while November could see a return to lower levels before a December finale obliterates current records.

Nonetheless, longtime market participants are already advising an exit strategy this week, among them John Bollinger, creator of the popular Bollinger Bands trading indicator.

Second target achieved, $BTCUSD. UpperBB expanding with the rally. Keep a trailing stop like BBstop or a Chandelier going. All clear for now, but starting looking for signs of a top / exit. I am off for a couple of weeks of travel. Good trading! #Bitcoin

— John Bollinger (@bbands) October 5, 2021

Bollinger bands track upward and downward volatility of an asset and are currently hinting that calmer conditions should prevail. When the bands narrow, however, volatility follows.

Altcoins, meanwhile, are not expected to deliver definitive cycle gains until next year.