Bitcoin stalls below at $77,500 as volatility cools, traders unwind leverage

BTC holds a tight range as open interest drops, signaling cooling momentum, while altcoins show mixed performance and ZEC attracts fresh bullish interest. What to know : Bitcoin futures open interest fell over 6% in 24 hours, pointing to leverage unwinding as prices stalled below $80,000. Derivatives data shows rising bearish positioning, with negative funding rates and persistent demand for downside protection in options markets. Zcash stands out with rising open interest and volume, while broader altcoin performance remains mixed amid soft DeFi sentiment.