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US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Add $225M as BlackRock IBIT Offsets Redemptions

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Crypto Breaking News

US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted mixed trading flows on Tuesday, reflecting a nuanced backdrop for the U.S. ETF market as investors weighed short-term liquidity against broader risk-off sentiment. Data from SoSoValue showed that overall spot BTC ETFs drew a net inflow of $225.2 million, highlighting sustained appetite for direct exposure to the benchmark cryptocurrency even as the sector remains choppy. The standout contributor was iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which logged substantially larger inflows, helping offset redemptions across other products. The week’s numbers come as crypto traders monitor a delicate balance between inflows, price action, and evolving macro risk signals.

The latest weekly snapshot reveals that IBIT brought in about $322.4 million in fresh funds, while competing vehicles posted smaller outflows: Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) shed roughly $89.3 million, and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) reduced by about $28.2 million. Those figures helped shape a broader trend in the sector: inflows across the board still exist, but buyers must contend with a spectrum of product-specific dynamics and issuer strategies that influence demand on a week-to-week basis. The net effect was a positive tilt for spot BTC, even as the distribution of flows across issuers remained uneven.

aggregating data from Farside, the week’s tally lifted total ETF inflows to $683.3 million, following last week’s $787.3 million, mark­ing the first stretch of positive flows after five consecutive weeks of outflows that had drained nearly $4 billion from the sector. In other words, while the broader ETF complex remains choppy, a subset of products continues to attract fresh capital, underscoring a segmented demand pattern rather than a unanimous bet on spot BTC exposure.

Investors have shown caution in the current environment, with market sentiment reflecting geopolitical concerns that have weighed on risk appetite. The broader crypto market has endured a period of uncertainty, and Bitcoin’s price action over the past week has been modest but persistent. CoinGecko tracks Bitcoin’s price trajectory, noting that the asset advanced about 5.4% over the last seven days, a gain that has helped stabilize some investors’ expectations even as overall sentiment remains tenuous.

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Ether fund flows turn negative amid market uncertainty

Across the broader suite of crypto-linked ETFs, Ether (ETH) funds moved into negative territory, registering about $10.8 million in net outflows. The shifting fortunes of ETH-focused products reflect a risk-off tilt that tends to nudge investor capital away from second-largest asset classes when macro headlines or flow dynamics shift abruptly.

Meanwhile, other tokens found pockets of support. XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) funds recorded inflows of roughly $7.5 million, while Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) funds attracted about $1 million. These modest, yet positive, numbers hint at targeted demand for specific layer-1 and smart-contract ecosystem tokens, even as larger market participants remain selective about the broader risk profile in the current environment.

The mixed picture across ETFs comes as geopolitical frictions in the Middle East weigh on investor sentiment, a headwind that has kept risk assets sensitive to headline risk and macro shifts. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a gauge of market sentiment, dipped to 10 on Wednesday after a brief uptick to 14, signaling persistent concern among traders about near-term price direction and liquidity conditions.

Industry voices continue to frame the debate around Bitcoin’s medium-term potential. Notably, Ray Dalio, the American billionaire and head of Bridgewater Associates, reiterated cautions about Bitcoin on the All-In Podcast, arguing that Bitcoin’s privacy features, potential quantum risks, and relatively small market size constrain its appeal as a form of money. “I think Bitcoin has received a lot of attention, but as a form of money, it’s small compared with gold. There is only one gold,” he remarked, underscoring a skeptical view of Bitcoin’s monetary role in a diversified portfolio.

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But the rebuttal from Bitcoin proponents was swift and sharp. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, countered the critique with a message of long-term opportunity. In an X post, he framed the current critiques as part of Bitcoin’s evolving story, arguing that the very factors some critics point to—privacy, scalability, and market size—are precisely the issues that, in time, could unlock greater adoption and price discovery. “Some hear criticism; I hear opportunity,” Hougan wrote, later adding: (blockquote) “These are the reasons Bitcoin is 4% the size of gold. If these critiques did not exist, Bitcoin would already be around $750,000 per coin. I invest in Bitcoin in part because I am confident these things will change over time.” (blockquote)

Market context

The inflows into spot BTC ETFs come amid a broader layer of caution in crypto markets, where liquidity has sometimes tightened even as certain products attract fresh capital. The latest movements suggest a nuanced demand environment: investors are buying targeted exposure via IBIT while other ETF products experience outflows, a pattern that may reflect issuer-specific strategies, product design, and perceptions of regulatory clarity. The weekly data align with a transitional moment for crypto ETFs, as participants weigh macro signals alongside ongoing debates about market structure, custody, and the evolving regulatory landscape.

Overall, the week’s flow story mirrors a market that is neither bullishly insistent nor narrowly bearish, but rather focused on selective exposures and risk management in the face of a mixed macro backdrop. The BTC price rally, while meaningful, has not translated into a universal reallocation of risk toward crypto assets, suggesting that investors are evaluating spot exposure within a broader, multi-asset framework rather than chasing a single narrative.

Why it matters

For investors, the evolving ETF landscape matters because it shapes how accessible crypto exposure is in traditional portfolios. The outsize influence of IBIT on inflows demonstrates that the equity ETF ecosystem can steer capital toward digital assets, especially when other products experience withdrawals. The divergence between IBIT’s inflows and outflows elsewhere also highlights how issuer dynamics, fund structure, and liquidity provision can influence the speed and direction of capital flows into crypto markets.

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From a market-building perspective, these flows contribute to price discovery mechanisms by providing more on-exchange visibility for spot BTC exposure. They also signal to market participants that there remains a persistent demand for regulated, transparent access to cryptocurrency markets—a factor that could shape future product development and regulatory dialogue. Yet the concurrent outflows in ETH ETFs and persistent caution about macro risk emphasize that the crypto ecosystem remains highly mosaic, with different tokens and vehicles trading on their own set of fundamentals and investor appetites.

For builders and researchers, the data underline the importance of robust analytics around ETF performance and issuer behavior. The fact that inflows are not evenly distributed across products suggests that investors are weighing product design, cost structures, and track records when deciding where to allocate. This could influence the way new spot BTC funds are pitched and the type of liquidity arrangements that underpin these products, particularly as the market contends with ongoing questions about custody and settlement in regulated environments.

What to watch next

  • Upcoming weekly ETF flow reports from SoSoValue and Farside to see if IBIT’s momentum persists or if redemptions reemerge in other issuers.
  • Next price action for Bitcoin following inflow spikes, with monitoring of the 7–14 day horizon to assess whether flows translate into sustained price gains.
  • ETF-specific inflow changes for Ether, XRP, and Solana to understand whether ETH outflows reverse or persist and whether selective demand broadens beyond BTC.
  • Updates to market sentiment gauges, including the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, to gauge whether risk appetite improves alongside price movements.
  • Public commentary and regulatory developments related to spot BTC ETFs and broader crypto market structure to assess potential implications for future flows.

Sources & verification

  • SoSoValue data on US spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and outflows.
  • Farside data detailing ETF flows by issuer (IBIT, FBTC, GBTC).
  • CoinGecko price data for Bitcoin’s seven-day performance.
  • Alternative.me Crypto Fear & Greed Index readings.
  • All-In Podcast interview with Ray Dalio and related commentary.
  • Matt Hougan’s X post defending Bitcoin and outlining long-term opportunities.
  • Jane Street-linked discussion referenced in the Magazine feature.

What the numbers say about the market’s current state

In a week characterized by mixed ETF flows and cautious sentiment, the crypto market continues to demonstrate resilience in some segments while showing fragility in others. The surge in spot BTC ETF inflows driven by IBIT indicates that demand for regulated, on-exchange exposure remains a meaningful driver of liquidity. Yet the broader pattern—outflows in Ether funds, mixed signals from major asset classes, and a Fear & Greed Index pinned in the lower echelons—suggests that confidence is not universally restored. As market participants weigh these dynamics, performance will likely hinge on the interplay between issuer strategies, macro headlines, and the ongoing discourse around crypto market infrastructure and governance. The environment remains one of careful repositioning, rather than a decisive reallocation, as investors aim to balance risk, diversification, and potential upside in a still-evolving regulatory landscape.

Key figures and next steps

With IBIT leading the charge on spot BTC inflows and last week’s overall inflow tally signaling a potential shift after a prolonged period of outflows, market observers will be watching whether this week’s numbers sustain the momentum or fade as macro headlines shift. The spread between inflows and outflows across competing BTC ETFs highlights a nuanced market where product design and issuer behavior can materially influence capital allocation. As always, traders should balance the pursuit of structured exposure with an awareness of broader risk signals, including price action and sentiment proxies like the Fear & Greed Index.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Three Bitcoin Signals Point to $80K as Next BTC Target for Bulls

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Crypto Breaking News

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) bulls are targeting a move back toward $80,000 in March, supported by a technical setup that has begun to show meaningful upside momentum. After a rally that pushed BTC above key levels, the asset retraced and then re-accelerated, signaling that demand is re-emerging as buyers step in around pivotal price zones. In recent trading, BTC rose more than 5% to around $71,900, a move that coincided with a breakout from what some analysts characterized as a bear pennant, though others see it as the early stages of a bullish symmetrical triangle. The pattern suggests a potential catalyst for a larger advance if buying interest remains firm and volume sustains its uptick.

The evolving chart pattern centers on a symmetrical triangle, formed as price makes lower highs and higher lows within a narrowing price range. In practice, the triangle’s widest cross-section spans roughly from $63,000 on the lower side to $71,000–$72,000 on the upper edge. A breakout above the upper boundary could unleash a measured move toward the $80,000 area, a target that also happens to align with BTC’s 100-day exponential moving average, a level many traders view as a significant longer-term gauge of trend health. The breakout’s credibility hinges on follow-through volume, with higher turnover often translating into increased conviction behind the move.

From a near-term perspective, the chain of moving averages presents both a challenge and an objective. The 50-day EMA sits near $74,400, posing a near-term hurdle. A rejection around that level would raise the odds of a pullback toward the 20-day EMA, which sits closer to $68,700, potentially reigniting short-term volatility. Still, if BTC can clear the 50-day EMA and maintain momentum, the path toward the broader target remains plausible, with the 100-day EMA acting as a guidepost for the longer-term trend.

Beyond pure price action, the market atmosphere is colored by a functional market mechanics element: an unfilled CME futures gap. That gap sits approximately in the $79,660–$81,210 zone, offering a magnet for price in the event of rebalancing between the spot market and the futures market. The dynamic arises because CME futures markets do not trade over the weekend, so when spot prices move during those periods, a gap can form that the futures market may revisit once trading resumes. Traders monitor this area closely as a potential catalyst zone where price could pause or accelerate in the days ahead.

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On the speculative side, market-derived odds from prediction platforms have started tilting more decisively toward a bullish outcome for BTC in March. Polymarket has shifted toward pricing in a 40% probability that Bitcoin reaches $80,000 this month, up from 20% a day earlier. The odds for a price of $75,000 in March are even higher, around 70%, signaling a stronger collective belief among market participants in a constructive move in the near term. Conversely, the probabilities for a more pronounced downside in March have declined, suggesting traders are trimming expectations for deeper retracements.

Another data point enhancing the bulls’ case is the broader ETF narrative, which has been getting attention as institutions evaluate real-world demand versus supply pressures. Coin-media coverage has highlighted inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products as a factor supporting a steady bid around the $80,000 mark, with inflows and redemption dynamics shaping near-term price discovery. This context complements the technical setup, underscoring how demand dynamics interact with market mechanics to shape BTC’s trajectory in the weeks ahead.

Finally, a pattern is emerging that many traders watch closely: the accumulation and reallocation narratives that tend to re-emerge at critical price levels. An ongoing focus on the $80,000 region, supported by a history of CME gap fillings, adds another layer of potential momentum if price can sustain a breakout and clear immediate resistance. With Polymarket indicating growing odds for a March push and with the 100-day EMA aligned with the target, the stage appears set for a test of the upper triangle boundary and, if successful, a potential extension toward the $80k target in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

Bitcoin’s struggle to retake $80,000 has been a focal point for traders seeking signs of renewed momentum after a period of consolidation. A sustained breakout beyond the upper trendline would reaffirm a broader technical setup that has attracted attention from both technical analysts and derivative market participants. The alignment of the target with the 100-day EMA adds a level of significance because this moving average is widely watched as an indicator of the longer-run trend, not merely a short-term impulse. If price action confirms the breakout, it could attract additional buyers who are looking for a clearer signal of trend continuation rather than mere volatility spikes.

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Moreover, the CME gap provides a practical reminder of how futures dynamics can accentuate price moves. Gaps are not guarantees, but they can act as magnets when market participants anticipate a return to a fair price after periods of dislocation. The $79,660–$81,210 zone has persisted for weeks, and a close above that area could signal renewed risk appetite and confidence in a new leg higher. In the same vein, the contemporaneous market sentiment reflected in Polymarket’s odds adds a qualitative dimension to the story: a shift in probability toward a higher price target implies traders are pricing in a more favorable near-term trajectory for BTC.

Finally, the conversation around spot Bitcoin ETFs adds a macro layer to the narrative. Inflows associated with these products can influence demand dynamics by providing institutional exposure that complements a rising risk-on environment. While not a guarantee of a specific price path, the presence of sustained demand from ETF products reinforces the underlying thesis that BTC could participate in a broader upswing if macro and liquidity conditions remain supportive.

What to watch next

  • Watch for a daily close above the triangle’s upper boundary to confirm a breakout with sustained momentum.
  • Monitor the 50-day EMA around $74,400 as the near-term hurdle; a clear hold above this level would strengthen the bullish thesis.
  • Track the CME gap region near $79,660–$81,210 for signs of price reversion or continuation as futures reopens.
  • Observe Polymarket’s updated odds for March to gauge whether market sentiment continues to tilt toward higher BTC prices.
  • Assess whether price action in the coming sessions can stage a clean move toward the $80,000 target and test the 100-day EMA as a guiding benchmark.

Sources & verification

  • Bitcoin price action and the breakout context: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-price-nears-one-month-high-as-bulls-propel-btc-toward-72k
  • CME gaps and their trading implications: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-cme-gaps-how-to-trade-them
  • Polymarket odds for BTC in March: https://polymarket.com/event/what-price-will-bitcoin-hit-in-march-2026
  • Bitcoin accumulation wave and the $80k case: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-accumulation-wave-puts-dollar80k-back-in-play-analyst
  • ETF inflows context and market impact: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-etf-225-million-inflows-blackrockibit-counters-selling

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Pi Network (PI) Price Predictions for This Week

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pi_network_price_chart_0403261

PI bulls have managed to defend their recent gains as they aim higher.

PI Network (PI) Price Predictions: Analysis

Key support levels: $0.15

Key resistance levels: $0.20

PI Breakout Continues

After the PI price broke above its downtrend, buyers managed to defend the price above $0.15 and push it higher despite a recent pullback. This shows bulls are determined to stop the downtrend and begin recovering some of the most recent losses.

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As long as the support at 15 cents holds, PI’s price action is bullish, which opens the way to test the resistance at 20 cents. If that breaks later as well, the price could spike higher fast and aim for 30 cents next.

pi_network_price_chart_0403261
Source: TradingView

Pullback was Succesful

The recent pullback bounced exactly off the breakout trendline, confirming a bullish bias. Moreover, PI has been green in the past two weeks, which increases confidence in the continuation of this price action.

Since sellers dominated for months in a row, it would not be surprising to see this cryptocurrency finally have a sustained relief rally as it aims to reclaim a price above 20 cents and beyond.

You may also like:

pi_network_price_chart_0403262
Source: TradingView

Spike in Buy Volume Confirms Reversal

The spike in buy volume on 15th February was significant and confirmed a major bullish reversal. The fact that this was followed by sustained buy pressure and higher lows demonstrates that bulls are returning. The only unknown is how long they can sustain this.

For this reason, watch closely how the price reacts at the 20-cent resistance, since that will be a decisive level for where PI goes next. Hopefully, buyers can turn it into a support that will allow them to aim much higher.

pi_network_price_volume_0403261
Source: TradingView
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Disclaimer: Information found on CryptoPotato is those of writers quoted. It does not represent the opinions of CryptoPotato on whether to buy, sell, or hold any investments. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use provided information at your own risk. See Disclaimer for more information.

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South Korea Plans 20% Cap on Crypto Exchange Shareholder Stakes: Report

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South Korea Plans 20% Cap on Crypto Exchange Shareholder Stakes: Report

South Korea’s government and ruling party have reportedly agreed on a plan to cap the ownership stakes of major shareholders in domestic crypto exchanges at 20%.

The Democratic Party of Korea’s digital asset task force and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) agreed to set the maximum shareholding limit at 20% after discussions, according to a Wednesday report by local media outlet Herald Economy.

However, regulators may allow exceptions of up to 34% for new businesses through an enforcement decree. The threshold references the Commercial Act’s 33.3% veto threshold in general shareholders’ meetings, per the report.

Under the proposal, exchanges would reportedly have three years from the law’s enforcement to adjust their ownership structures. Smaller exchanges may receive an additional three-year grace period. Larger platforms like Upbit and Bithumb, which together control roughly 90% of the local market, would be required to reduce major shareholder stakes within the initial three-year period.

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Related: Korea halts trading as key indexes drop 10% on Middle East crisis

Major Korean exchanges exceed proposed ownership cap

Current ownership levels across South Korea’s major exchanges exceed the proposed cap. Upbit chairman Song Chi-hyung holds about 25.52%, while Bithumb Holdings owns roughly 73.56% of Bithumb. Coinone chairman Cha Myung-hoon controls about 53.44%, Mirae Asset Consulting is set to hold around 92.06% of Korbit following an acquisition, and Binance owns about 67.45% of GOPAX.

Top Korean crypto exchanges. Source: CoinGecko.

The proposal, which has received some backing among regulators, faces a lengthy legislative process. A member of the National Assembly is expected to introduce the bill, though the sponsor has not yet been determined. Passage may prove challenging, as some lawmakers, including members of the ruling party, have raised concerns about restricting ownership in the sector.

An industry insider warned that the measure could have broader implications for competition. “This is unprecedented worldwide and has low global consistency. If it is excessively introduced, it could have serious negative effects such as limited competition, slowed innovation, and strengthened barriers to entry,” they reportedly told the outlet.

Related: South Korea orders cross-agency probe after repeated crypto custody failures

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South Korea tightens crypto licensing rules

In late January, South Korea’s National Assembly approved changes to the country’s crypto licensing framework, introducing stricter entry requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The updated rules allow authorities to examine executives and major shareholders for a wider range of potential violations, including drug trafficking, tax evasion, fair-trade breaches and serious economic crimes.