Bitcoin’s potential “air pocket” above $72,000 is drawing renewed attention as the cryptocurrency climbed close to that level on Wednesday, suggesting a breakout could trigger a rapid move higher.

The term refers to a relatively thin supply zone between $72,000 and $80,000 where only a small amount of bitcoin last changed hands, according to on-chain data from Glassnode. With limited trading activity recorded in that range, there are fewer investors holding positions who might be inclined to sell as prices rise.

Glassnode’s data shows that roughly 1% of bitcoin’s circulating supply sits within this band. Because such a small portion of coins is concentrated there, the market could encounter limited resistance if bitcoin decisively breaks above $72,000, potentially allowing the price to move quickly toward $80,000.

Historically, bitcoin has spent little time trading between $72,000 and $80,000. One notable instance occurred in November 2024, when prices surged following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, quickly passing through the range without generating significant trading volume.

A similar dynamic appeared earlier this year. At the end of January, bitcoin dropped from around $80,000 to $70,000 before falling further to roughly $60,000 by Feb. 6, a decline that unfolded within just a few days.

These supply dynamics are illustrated by Glassnode’s Realized Price Distribution (URPD) metric. The indicator maps the price levels where current unspent transaction outputs last moved on-chain, effectively showing where existing holders acquired their coins and highlighting clusters of supply — as well as gaps such as the one between $72,000 and $80,000.