The Blockspace Pod: The Metric That Will Signal A Bitcoin Bottom w/ Checkmatey

James Check joins the show to analyze Bitcoin's market structure in early 2026. We discuss the divergence between BTC and equities, the impact of "extraordinary" ETFs, and why the Realized Cap suggests a cooling-off period. Plus, deep dives into quantum computing risks and on-chain data. James Check, Co-Founder of Check on Chain, joins us to talk about the current state of Bitcoin in 2026. James breaks down why Bitcoin decoupled from the wider market in late 2025, the massive sell-side pressure from long-term holders, and why on-chain metrics point to a bear market phase. We also explore the "extraordinary" nature of ETF flows, the quantum computing debate, and why gold and Bitcoin are ultimately the same trade. Subscribe to the newsletter! [https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com](https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com) Notes: * ETF outflows reached ~$6.5 billion * Bitcoin price down 35% from ATH * Miners earn ~450 coins per day * Long-term holders sold 10k coins/day * Realized Cap is currently trending lower * Bitcoin fair value is approx $90k Timestamps: 00:00 Start 03:25 Current state of the market 07:52 ETF vs. chain analytics 10:49 ETF outflows & price drivers 14:00 Retail ETF buyers 18:56 Whale selling? 20:37 Gold 25:34 4 yr cycle is crap 32:07 Good indicators 35:57 What's exciting in Bitcoin now? 40:58 Evolving views on Bitcoin - 👉CleanSpark, America’s Bitcoin Miner! CleanSpark (Nasdaq: CLSK) is a market-leading data center developer with a proven track record of success. We own a portfolio of power, land, and data centers across the United States powered by globally competitive energy prices. Sitting at the intersection of Bitcoin, energy, operational excellence and capital stewardship, we optimize our infrastructure to deliver superior returns to our shareholders. Monetizing low-cost, high reliability energy by producing a global emerging critical resource – compute – positions us to prosper in an ever-changing world. 👉 FBOX, Cooling for Bitcoin Mining and the AI Data Center Transformation FBOX is the global leader in cooling system manufacturing, with the #1 shipment volume of bitcoin mining containers worldwide. Not only powering for the strongest hashrate, their technology also helps mining infrastructure transform into AI data centers. Backed by the largest production scale on earth, global deployment capability, and a full range of cooling solutions, they are shaping the future of compute. 👉 Luxor, Leaders In Bitcoin Mining and Compute Power! Get game-changing mining results with Luxor Firmware. Boost hashrate, cut energy costs, protect your hardware, and maximize mining profits with LuxOS. Published twice weekly, “The Blockspace Pod” interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews on Tuesday and a news show on Friday!