Market Exhaustion

Definition ∞ Market exhaustion describes a state where prolonged price movements, either upward or downward, reach a point where the underlying momentum is depleted. This condition suggests that the driving forces behind the trend are weakening, often signaling a potential reversal or significant consolidation. In trading, identifying market exhaustion can be crucial for anticipating shifts in price direction and adjusting trading or investment positions accordingly. It implies that the supply or demand that fueled the previous trend has become saturated.
Context ∞ The concept of market exhaustion is frequently discussed in technical analysis and trading commentary related to digital assets. News reports often cite indicators of market exhaustion, such as extreme price levels, divergences in momentum oscillators, or shifts in trading volume, as precursors to potential price reversals. Understanding these signals is critical for traders and investors seeking to time their entries and exits effectively within the dynamic cryptocurrency landscape.