TLDR:

Binance ETH open interest jumped from $6.2B to $7.1B within 24 hours during price breakout above $3,100
Cumulative Volume Delta indicates most new positions were aggressive long entries using market orders
Short liquidation cluster at $3,100 was eliminated, triggering squeeze effect that accelerated upward move
Leverage-driven rally presents both opportunity and risk as funding rates expand rapidly on derivatives

Binance ETH open interest experienced a dramatic expansion in the past 24 hours, jumping from approximately $6.2 billion to nearly $7.1 billion. 

This represents one of the strongest single-day increases observed in recent market activity. The surge occurred simultaneously as Ethereum’s price broke through the $3,100 resistance level. 

Data from Binance derivatives market reveals aggressive positioning changes among traders during this period.

Long Position Surge Dominates Market Activity

The expansion in open interest coincided with price appreciation above $3,100, suggesting new positions entered the market rather than existing shorts covering. 

Rising open interest during upward price movement typically indicates fresh capital flowing into derivatives contracts. This pattern distinguishes between organic growth and technical covering of existing positions.

Cumulative Volume Delta data moved higher alongside the open interest spike, providing additional context to the positioning shift. 

Source: Cryptoquant

The CVD movement strongly suggests most newly opened positions were long positions rather than short entries. This metric tracks the difference between aggressive buying and selling, revealing market participant behavior in real time.

Market participants used aggressive market orders instead of passive limit bids to enter positions during this period. 

Traders demonstrated urgency by paying the spread rather than waiting for favorable price levels. Such behavior indicates strong conviction or fear of missing the move higher in Ethereum’s price action.

Short Squeeze Triggers Forced Liquidations

A substantial short liquidation cluster around the $3,100 level was completely eliminated as prices reached this zone. 

Over-leveraged short sellers faced forced buy-back of their positions when the market moved against them. These compulsory liquidations added buying pressure to an already advancing market.

The forced liquidation activity created a short squeeze effect that accelerated Ethereum’s upward momentum. Short sellers caught in losing positions must close by buying, which paradoxically pushes prices higher. 

This mechanical buying pressure often creates outsized moves in both directions when leverage accumulates at key price levels.

The rapid expansion of funding rates accompanied these liquidations, creating temporary resistance zones on lower timeframes. 

Amr Taha shared detailed analysis highlighting how liquidation maps and open interest behavior provide deep insight into actual price drivers. 

The current Ethereum move appears leverage-driven and aggressive, presenting both opportunity and elevated risk for market participants navigating these conditions.

The post Binance ETH Open Interest Surges to $7.1B as Ethereum Breaks $3,100 appeared first on Blockonomi.

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Filed under: Bitcoin - @ January 2, 2026 9:24 pm