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Why "flat" is not the same as "fine"
Two on-chain metrics putting SHIB bulls on defense
1) Percent supply in profit is near bear-market floor levels
A key point: previous lows were already rare. Late 2023 printed around 3.93% at the time, and February 2026 dipped to roughly 2.86%, meaning current conditions are not just "bad," they are structurally similar to capitulation-style phases.
Why it matters: when only about 3% of supply is in profit, most holders are staring at red. That tends to produce two behaviors that can extend bearish regimes:
- Rally selling: any bounce becomes an exit ramp for underwater wallets trying to reduce pain.
- Muted spot demand: new buyers struggle to overpower the constant overhead supply.
2) MVRV deviation suggests the "cheap" zone can last months, not weeks
If SHIB repeats that kind of time-based grind, the implication is uncomfortable but clear: this could be a multi-month bear phase that persists into September 2026, even if short-term bounces show up along the way.
"But what about a catalyst?" The ETF narrative may not be enough
SHIB has no shortage of headlines that sound like potential catalysts. One example floating around the market is the idea that future product wrappers, such as a proposed multi-asset ETF concept from firms like T. Rowe Price, could eventually broaden exposure to more volatile assets, potentially including memecoins.
That is a big "if," and even if the narrative gains traction, the on-chain reality suggests SHIB is still in a regime where sentiment and positioning are bearish enough to overpower news flow. In plain terms: a headline can spark a spike, but a spike is not the same as a trend reversal when most holders are still trapped. [4]
What traders are watching: bounces as sell zones, not breakouts
Higher-timeframe structure remains tilted bearish, which changes how many participants treat green candles. Instead of chasing upside, a common approach in this kind of market is to view a bounce back toward prior swing highs as a liquidity event, meaning an opportunity for sellers to unload into strength.
That mentality often becomes self-fulfilling: rallies fail because the market is using them to de-risk.
Practical takeaway: what to watch next
SHIB holders and traders should treat the "7 more months" thesis as a regime warning, not a guaranteed calendar prediction. The cleanest tells to monitor are:
- Percent supply in profit: sustained improvement would signal less trapped supply and healthier sentiment.
- MVRV deviation: a move back toward the mean would suggest the extreme undervaluation phase is fading.
- Rally behavior: if pumps keep getting sold quickly, the bear trend is still in control.
- Catalyst quality: real, measurable demand shocks matter more than speculative product chatter.
Risk is straightforward: sideways-to-down can last longer than most bags can stay patient. The catalyst to invalidate the bear case is also straightforward: SHIB needs on-chain profitability and valuation metrics to recover, not just a one-week pump that looks good on a chart and dies in the replies.


