Bitunix Analyst:Stronger-Than-Expected Payrolls Reinforce Higher-for-Longer Expectations as BTC Continues Testing the$80K Liquidity Zone

May 11th: U.S. April nonfarm payrolls rose by 115,000—well above market expectations of 62,000—while the prior reading was revised up to 185,000, underscoring the U.S. labor market’s resilience. Though May consumer sentiment dropped to historic lows, one-year inflation expectations unexpectedly eased, bolstering the market narrative of “slowing growth but persistent inflation.” Federal Reserve officials have also struck a cautious tone. Chicago Fed President Goolsbee noted the labor market remains relatively stable, though inflation performance still falls short of expectations. Meanwhile, ECB President Christine Lagarde acknowledged central banks are currently caught between the risks of acting too soon and too late. Markets are increasingly pricing in a higher likelihood of a “higher-for-longer” rate environment. On the geopolitical front, U.S.-Iran negotiations have yet to yield a meaningful breakthrough. Iran has formally rejected the latest U.S. proposal, though both sides continue indirect talks via Pakistan. Discussions are increasingly shifting to maritime security and ceasefire frameworks. Meanwhile, signs of shipping normalization have started to emerge in the Strait of Hormuz: a Qatari LNG carrier resumed transit for the first time in roughly 70 days, easing fears of a full-scale blockade. In crypto markets, BTC liquidation maps still identify the $80,000 level as the key near-term battleground between bulls and bears, with concentrated long liquidity clustered around current levels. On the upside, the $83,000 zone holds a dense cluster of short liquidation pressure. Overall, the market remains range-bound as capital waits for the next macro catalyst. From a derivatives perspective, BTC open interest has continued to edge lower to $25.6 billion—suggesting leverage exposure is still cooling and short-term momentum chasing remains limited. While funding rates haven’t turned meaningfully positive, bearish pressure has eased moderately, indicating the market is increasingly adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of clearer macro and geopolitical direction.