Bitcoin Bears Pay Up as Futures Positions Hit Yearly Lows

Bitcoin fell over 2% to around $82,800 after President Donald Trump declined to rule out further strikes on Iran before the U.S. midterm elections. Futures open interest dropped to 652,000 BTC, near its lowest level this year, and perpetual funding rates turned negative at minus 0.3%, showing short sellers are paying to keep bearish bets open.