Bitcoin Eyes Breakout While HYPE Surges Past $41—What’s Driving the Rally?

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  • Bitcoin is nearing $75K as short liquidations accelerate upward momentum.
  • Institutional ETF inflows are reinforcing the current crypto rally.
  • Hyperliquid’s HYPE token is rising fast, backed by strong revenue and RWA demand.

Bitcoin is pushing toward a critical breakout as a powerful short squeeze fuels upward momentum across the crypto market. At the same time, Hyperliquid’s native token HYPE is stealing the spotlight with a sharp rally driven by real-world asset (RWA) demand and strong platform fundamentals.

With both narratives unfolding simultaneously, traders are watching closely for signs of continuation—or a pause.

Bitcoin Rally Gains Strength From Short Liquidations

Bitcoin is currently trading around $74,400 after briefly testing the $76,000 level, marking a strong recovery from its earlier consolidation range between $62,900 and $73,000. The move is being driven largely by a derivatives-driven short squeeze.

Over the past 24 hours, crypto futures liquidations have exceeded $499 million, with short positions accounting for roughly $339 million. As bearish traders are forced to exit positions, their buybacks are adding fuel to Bitcoin’s climb.

Crypto funding rates comparison across major exchanges
Source: Coinglass

This squeeze was set up in late February, when funding rates dropped to deeply negative levels, signaling heavy bearish positioning. As Bitcoin reclaimed key levels above $70,000, those trades began to unwind rapidly.

Ethereum has followed suit, climbing toward $2,300, while altcoins like Solana and XRP posted gains of around 4%, reflecting broader market strength.

Institutional Flows Reinforce Market Momentum

Beyond derivatives activity, institutional demand is helping sustain Bitcoin’s rally. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded consistent inflows, with $201.6 million added on March 16 alone—marking six consecutive days of positive flows.

This steady capital injection suggests that the current move is not purely speculative. Instead, it reflects a mix of institutional accumulation and technical momentum.

While funding rates have normalized, they are not yet overheated. This indicates the short squeeze may still have room to run if buying pressure persists. Analysts are now watching whether Bitcoin can firmly establish $75,000 as support, which could open the door to a move toward $77,000–$80,000.

HYPE Token Breaks Out as Hyperliquid Gains Traction

While Bitcoin leads the market, Hyperliquid’s HYPE token is emerging as a standout performer. The token has surged past the $41 level, briefly touching $42 before stabilizing around $40.50.

HYPE Price Chart (4H) - March 17, 2026
HYPE Price Chart, Source: TradingView

The breakout follows a strong technical setup, with HYPE trading well above key moving averages and maintaining a clear uptrend. Momentum indicators remain bullish, suggesting continued upside potential if current support levels hold.

HYPE’s rally is closely tied to a surge in demand for tokenized commodities trading. Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have pushed oil prices higher and driven traders toward 24/7 decentralized platforms like Hyperliquid.

Weekend trading volumes for oil-linked contracts have exceeded $1.4 billion, while open interest has reached record highs. Notably, non-crypto assets such as oil, gold, and silver now dominate a significant share of platform activity.

Source: Coinglass

Hyperliquid’s revenue model is also supporting the token’s rise. With billions in trading volume and millions in daily revenue, the protocol uses most of its earnings to buy back and burn HYPE tokens—creating sustained deflationary pressure.

Also Read: Arthur Hayes Predicts $150 HYPE Price by 2026 — Can Hyperliquid Deliver 5x Gains?

Both Bitcoin and HYPE are benefiting from strong tailwinds, but risks remain. A cooling of macro tensions or a slowdown in inflows could trigger short-term pullbacks.

For now, the trend remains bullish. Bitcoin’s ability to hold above $75,000 and HYPE’s strength above $40 will be key signals for traders watching the next move.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.