Ethereum Leverage Ratio Indicates Increased Market Risk
An analyst has pointed out that the Ethereum leverage ratio has been rising, suggesting higher volatility in the asset’s price. The estimated leverage ratio (ELR) is a metric that compares Ethereum open interest to derivative exchange reserves. Open interest tracks the total number of positions open in the ETH futures market, while derivative exchange reserves measure the tokens held in centralized derivative exchange wallets.
The ELR indicates the level of leverage being used by traders in the futures market. A high ELR value means that open interest is significantly higher than exchange reserves, indicating a preference for high leverage contracts. Conversely, low ELR values suggest a lack of risk-taking and low leverage positions.
Trend in Ethereum ELR and Recent Increase
A chart shows the trend in Ethereum ELR over the past few years, including a crash in August 2020 that caused a decrease in leverage. However, the indicator has recently started to rise again and currently stands at 23%. While this value is not as high as before the crash, it is still significant. Huobi, Derbit, and OKX have a disproportionately high amount of leverage compared to the wider sector.
Potential Impact on Volatility
When ELR increases, volatility tends to follow suit. Therefore, Ethereum may be entering a period of increased turbulence based on this indicator. It remains to be seen how this will impact the price of ETH.
Ethereum Price Recovery
After declining to $1,500 at the beginning of the week, Ethereum has since recovered and is now trading above $1,600.
Hot Take: Increased Leverage Ratio Raises Concerns About Ethereum Volatility
Data shows that the Ethereum leverage ratio has been on the rise, indicating potential increased volatility for the asset’s price. The estimated leverage ratio (ELR) compares open interest in the ETH futures market to derivative exchange reserves. A higher ELR suggests a greater preference for high-leverage contracts, while lower values indicate less risk-taking. Recent data shows an uptick in the ELR, which may lead to heightened market turbulence. Traders should closely monitor these developments as they could impact Ethereum’s price movement.