Could The 'Short Dollar' Trade Tank Bitcoin? Analysts Say It Might—Under One Condition

by Murtuza J Merchant Benzinga Staff Writer

Zinger Key Points

Tariff tensions persist ahead of the August 1 deadline for new U.S. levies, raising uncertainty across macro markets.
All eyes are on the Fed’s rate decision, Q2 GDP data, and inflation prints to gauge the policy trajectory.
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Analysts are flagging growing near-term risks from overcrowded short positions in the U.S. dollar, raising the possibility of a sharp reversal that could ripple across risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

What Happened: According to market commentary from QCP Capital, the consensus bearish narrative on the dollar, fueled by the ongoing tariff war and expected monetary easing, may be approaching exhaustion.

"With the dollar already down 10% year-to-date and CFTC data showing extreme short positioning in USDJPY, the market appears vulnerable to a short squeeze," the firm noted.

Such a reversal, they argue, could trigger risk-off positioning across equities, emerging markets, and crypto assets.

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Iliya Kalchev, analyst at Nexo Dispatch, echoed the cautious tone, highlighting that the market enters midweek in a "holding pattern," with the dollar at the center of macro uncertainty ahead of major data releases and the Federal Reserve's rate decision.

While Bitcoin BTC/USD consolidates near $118,000 and Ethereum ETH/USD hovers around $3,800, investors are watching for shifts in capital flows that could result from a dollar rebound.

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Why It Matters: Despite supportive crypto headlines, such as record inflows into Ethereum ETFs and Strategy's MSTR recent $2.5 billion Bitcoin purchase, analysts emphasize that markets have failed to respond meaningfully to bullish catalysts, a typical sign of near-term exhaustion.

The dollar's trajectory could be further complicated by tariff tensions, with a looming Aug. 1 deadline for new reciprocal levies announced by President Donald Trump.

Although the U.S. and EU have reached a temporary truce, trade tensions with China and other regions remain unresolved.

Macro data this week, including U.S. Q2 GDP, employment figures, and inflation indicators, will be pivotal in shaping Fed policy and market sentiment heading into the third quarter.

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