Bitcoin’s ATH Dreams Face CME Gap Danger—Will Bulls Dodge the Crash Bullet?

Bitcoin's rally toward all-time highs might hit a snag—thanks to an ominous CME futures gap lurking like a bear trap. Here's why traders are sweating the fine print.

The gap that won't shut up

CME's notorious price gaps—left behind when weekend crypto volatility outpaces traditional market hours—have a habit of 'filling' later. And this one's got analysts side-eyeing their leverage positions.

Bullish until proven otherwise

Despite the warning signs, Bitcoin's macro trajectory still points north. Institutional inflows and ETF demand could bulldoze through technical roadblocks—assuming Wall Street's paper hands don't fold at the first dip. (Spoiler: they usually do.)

One thing's certain: if the gap fills, the resulting liquidations will make for prime 'I told you so' material—and another round of 'decentralized' assets getting schooled by old-school market mechanics.

Bitcoin To Face Short-Term Crash With CME Gap

A new Bitcoin price analysis by crypto market expert Ted Pillows suggests that BTC could encounter another major hurdle on its path to a record high. His analysis, shared on X social media, points to conditions in cryptocurrency’s current market structure that may trigger a temporary correction. 

Notably, Pillows reported that Bitcoin recently reclaimed and even surpassed the $118,000 level after a volatile week that saw the asset shed $2,000 to fill a CME gap from last week. The analyst’s chart highlights this gap in Bitcoin’s price action on the CME futures market around $116,500. Historically, such gaps tend to be “filled” as price retraces to trade within the missing range, making them critical areas of interest for traders. 

Pillows has stated that the unfilled CME gap NEAR $116,500 will likely be revisited soon. This week’s market action already saw BTC drop sharply to close last week’s gap before rebounding, suggesting that the same pattern could play out again. If the $116,500 CME gap is filled, it could momentarily disrupt Bitcoin’s ascent, triggering a potential crash in its price. 

Although this scenario appears bearish, the analyst reassures that any pullback is expected to be temporary. Pillows anticipates that a brief correction could lay the groundwork for a fresh leg upward. Technical patterns also indicate that once bitcoin begins this upward push, it could rise toward uncharted territory and establish a new all-time high. 

Other Analysts Share Their Take On Bitcoin CME Gap

Further discussing the Bitcoin CME gap, market analyst ‘Daan crypto Trades’ on X pointed out the recently formed gap that opened this week. According to the analyst, the gap lies between $116,500 and $118,400, standing out not only for its size but its proximity to Bitcoin’s previous ATH range.

Daan Crypto Trades noted that most CME gaps tend to close within the same day; however, this latest gap has extended farther than usual. He explained that the gap near Bitcoin’s record high creates the ideal conditions for a price discovery. In such scenarios, CME gaps often stay open for longer periods, as bullish momentum can drive prices upward without retracement. 

Notably, the expert’s chart analysis indicates that Bitcoin’s latest CME gap is unlikely to close until its price comes within 1% or 2% of it, placing that level just under $120,000. At present, BTC is trading at $121,313.