Over the Counter Demand

Definition ∞ Over the Counter (OTC) demand signifies a strong desire to acquire digital assets through private transactions, rather than through public exchanges. This type of demand is often associated with large institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals seeking to execute significant trades without affecting market prices. OTC desks facilitate these direct, bilateral transactions.
Context ∞ Crypto news frequently references over the counter demand as a key indicator of underlying market strength and institutional accumulation. Sustained OTC demand suggests that large buyers are actively acquiring assets for long-term holding, potentially reducing the available supply on public exchanges. This metric provides valuable insight into broader market sentiment beyond immediate exchange order book activity.