Futures open interest for APT drops 15%, signaling bearish sentiment

Aptos (APT) futures markets are displaying concerning weakness, with open interest declining 15% as traders reassess their positions amid broader market turbulence. This metric decline represents a significant shift in market sentiment, indicating that leveraged traders are unwinding exposure to the altcoin.

The deterioration in APT's open interest correlates directly with its price action. Over the past week, APT has shed 19.6% of its value, while the 24-hour decline reached 11.13%, pushing the token toward its all-time low of $1.72. Such sharp downside moves typically trigger cascade liquidations in derivatives markets, forcing long-positioned traders to exit positions at unfavorable prices.

Market sentiment indicators reflect this pessimism. The Fear & Greed Index demonstrates extreme fear comparable to the drawdown patterns observed during Bitcoin's 2018 bear market bottom. This psychological capitulation, combined with reduced open interest, suggests retail and institutional traders have grown increasingly bearish on APT's near-term prospects. The declining leverage positioning indicates the speculative euphoria that previously supported altcoin rallies has evaporated, leaving only price discovery mechanisms to determine APT's equilibrium level.

Funding rates turn negative as short positions increase by 30%

In 2025, APT has experienced significant market headwinds, with funding rates turning negative while short positions surged by 30%. This divergence signals growing bearish sentiment among traders despite the token's technical developments. Negative funding rates typically indicate that traders taking short positions are willing to pay to maintain their bets against the asset, reflecting widespread expectation of further price decline.

The concurrent 30% increase in short positions demonstrates intensifying pessimism in the APT market. This metric serves as a crucial indicator of market structure, revealing that speculative traders have shifted their positioning toward downside scenarios. When short positions expand alongside negative funding rates, it creates a self-reinforcing bearish cycle that can exacerbate price volatility and suppress recovery attempts.

Several macroeconomic factors have contributed to this challenging environment. Rising interest rates and supply pressures have constrained capital allocation toward high-risk assets like Layer 1 blockchain tokens. APT's price action reflects this broader market stress, declining from its historical highs amid deteriorating risk sentiment. The negative funding rates themselves become self-perpetuating, as traders receive compensation for holding shorts, encouraging them to maintain or increase their bearish positions even as underlying fundamentals remain stable.

Options market shows 60% probability of APT price decline in next month

Options Market Analysis: APT Price Outlook

Recent derivatives market signals reveal significant bearish sentiment surrounding APT token performance. According to options market data, traders are pricing in a 60% probability of price decline over the next month, reflecting heightened concerns about the asset's near-term trajectory.

The current APT price of $1.724 represents a substantial decline from historical levels, with the token trading approximately 91% below its all-time high of $19.92 recorded in January 2023. This dramatic depreciation has intensified options market participants' cautious positioning. The 24-hour price movement shows an 11.13% decline, while the 30-day performance reflects a 35.18% decrease, demonstrating continued downward momentum.

Market sentiment metrics indicate "extreme fear" conditions, with the VIX reading at 23 and sentiment indicators showing near-parity between bullish and bearish positioning. The options market's 60% probability assessment suggests that institutional traders anticipate further consolidation or downside movement before potential stabilization occurs.

Current technical indicators show APT trading near support levels established in November 2025. The combination of high implied volatility in options contracts and declining market capitalization of approximately $2.05 billion underscores investor caution. These market signals suggest investors should carefully evaluate their positions, as the derivatives market consensus leans decidedly toward near-term price weakness for the APT token.

Liquidation data reveals $10 million in long positions wiped out in 24 hours

The cryptocurrency market experienced severe turbulence as liquidation cascades swept across major trading platforms. Recent data indicates that approximately $10 million in long positions were eliminated within a single 24-hour period, reflecting the heightened volatility affecting traders globally.

Aptos (APT) faced particular pressure during this period, with the token declining 11.13% over 24 hours, dropping to $1.724 from higher levels. The liquidation event demonstrated how leverage amplifies losses during sharp market corrections, particularly affecting traders holding long positions who anticipated price appreciation.

The concentration of liquidations in short positions, totaling $234 million compared to $18.96 million in longs across the full period, suggests traders had positioned defensively. However, this defensive posture proved insufficient when market momentum reversed suddenly. Such liquidation events typically trigger automatic deleveraging mechanisms on major platforms, forcing additional position closures and compounding losses for affected traders.

The $10 million in eliminated long positions serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with leveraged trading in volatile cryptocurrency markets.

FAQ

What is apt coin?

APT is the native cryptocurrency of the Aptos blockchain, a layer 1 network using Proof-of-Stake consensus. It's used for transaction fees and network operations.

Can Aptos reach $100?

Yes, Aptos could reach $100 if its market cap grows to $25-$50 billion, depending on circulating supply. Market trends and adoption will be key factors.

Does Aptos have a future?

Yes, Aptos has a future, but it may face challenges. Forecasts suggest a potential decrease to $1.39 by December 2025, indicating a bearish outlook. However, the crypto market is dynamic and subject to change.

What is Elon Musk's official crypto coin?

Elon Musk doesn't have an official crypto coin. However, Dogecoin (DOGE) is most closely associated with him due to his frequent endorsements and support.