Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Bitcoin (BTC) is up over 3% so far this week, trading above $61,800 at the time of writing on Friday after slipping to a 21-month low earlier this week. Institutional selling continued, with spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) recording net outflows of over $520 million through Thursday, pointing to the eighth consecutive week of withdrawals.  Meanwhile, analysts suggest that the quarter-end portfolio rebalancing could provide short-term support for Crypto King.

Institutional sell-off continuesInstitutional demand continued to weaken so far this week. SoSoValue data show that spot BTC ETFs recorded an outflow of $526.64 million through Thursday. Unless Friday’s inflows are very significant, BTC is about to mark the eighth week of steady withdrawals. This signals that institutional demand continues to weaken and fails to provide a cushion against falling prices, with the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization sliding to a 21-month low of $57,800 this week.

Total Bitcoin spot ETF net inflow weekly chart. Source: SoSoValueCryptoQuant’s weekly report highlighted that Bitcoin exchange inflows indicate higher price volatility ahead after total deposits spiked towards 50KBTC in a day, a rare extreme seen only four other times in 2026. On Tuesday, Bitcoin exchange inflows surged to 49K BTC, an extremely high reading that has occurred only four other times this year. Each prior instance was associated with a time of sharply higher price volatility.

The analyst at CryptoQuant further explained that the spike coincides with Bitcoin testing the critical $60,000 support level, which, if breached, could take BTC towards $53,000, the realized price. 

“At these inflow levels, the market is absorbing a large volume of Bitcoin being repositioned to exchanges, a pattern that has historically preceded significant directional moves”, added the report.

Bitcoin: Exchange inflow chart. Source: CryptoQuantProgress in US-Iran peace talks boosts BTC recoveryImproving geopolitical sentiment helped lift risk appetite in the latter half of the week, with BTC reclaiming $61,000 and seeing a mild recovery after dropping to a 21-month low of $57,800 on Wednesday.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the US and Iran had made “positive progress” in indirect talks held in Doha, with discussions advancing issues related to the June ceasefire memorandum. 

The spokesperson added that negotiators were “building on the outcomes” of a recent summit in Switzerland, raising hopes for a more durable peace agreement.

US President Donald Trump has echoed these comments, adding that the talks delivered some progress on the possible limits to Iran’s nuclear program and that the “denuclearization of the country is moving along well”. US Vice President JD Vance, on the other hand, said that the nuclear matter will be addressed at a later time.

The next meeting for negotiations will take place after funeral processions for ​Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried on July 9, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said.

The status of the key Strait of Hormuz, however, remains in the air. Traffic through the corridor has increased significantly, contributing to fuel investors’ optimism, but it remains far from the 160 ships that used to cross the waterway before the conflict started.

Traders should keep an eye on the Middle East’s developments, as the fragile situation continues to pose a risk to market sentiment. Any renewed geopolitical tension between the US and Iran over the weekend could bring fresh selling pressure to risk-sensitive assets such as BTC.

Cooling US employment eases Fed tightening expectationsOn the macroeconomic front, cooling US employment eases Federal Reserve (Fed) tightening expectations, supporting a recovery in risky assets.

Traders scaled back their bets on Fed rate hikes following the release of softer-than-expected US employment data on Thursday. The closely watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report showed that the economy added only 57K new jobs in June, compared with the 110K consensus estimate. Moreover, the previous month’s reading was revised down from 172K to 129K, while the Unemployment Rate edged lower to 4.2% in June.

Nevertheless, the crucial data pointed to softening labor conditions and came on top of easing inflation fears amid the recent slump in Crude Oil prices, tempering expectations of higher-for-longer interest rates. In fact, traders shifted expectations from one to two Fed rate increases in 2026 to between zero and one hike. The shift has weighed on the US Dollar (USD), providing support for Bitcoin’s ongoing recovery.

A K33 research report on Tuesday suggests quarter-end portfolio rebalancing could provide short-term support for Bitcoin.

The chart below shows that over the past 18 months, 9 months have seen net ETF flows during the six-day window surrounding month-end (three trading days before and three trading days after month-end) diverge materially from the prevailing trend during the rest of the month. 

“In several of these cases, months in which Bitcoin underperformed the S&P 500 were followed by stronger ETF inflows around month-end and into the start of the following month,” said K33 Research analyst.

The analyst further explained that this behavior is consistent with portfolio rebalancing, as investors may increase their Bitcoin exposure after periods of relative underperformance to restore target asset allocations. However, the relationship has not been universal. The remaining nine months in the sample did not exhibit the same pattern, indicating that portfolio rebalancing is not a persistent driver of Bitcoin ETF flows and likely represents just one of several factors influencing institutional demand.

Meanwhile, the trend has become more consistent over the past four quarters. If this pattern continues, quarter-end portfolio rebalancing could provide a much-needed tailwind for Bitcoin, potentially supporting a short-term recovery during the first few trading days of July.

Bitcoin monthly returns relative to SPX vs ETF flows +-3 days from month end chart. Source: K33 ResearchRyan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget, told Fxstreet that “Quarter-end portfolio rebalancing may create short-term trading activity, but it is unlikely to be the catalyst that changes Bitcoin's broader trend. With Bitcoin trading between $58,000-$62,000 following a roughly 14% decline in Q2, the market continues to face pressure from persistent spot ETF outflows and softer institutional demand. While portfolio adjustments can generate opportunistic buying when crypto allocations fall below target weights, Bitcoin's next meaningful move will depend more on ETF flows, macroeconomic data and broader risk sentiment.”

However, in an exclusive interview, Dean Chen, an analyst at Bitunix Exchange, believes quarter-end rebalancing is unlikely to serve as a meaningful bullish catalyst for Bitcoin. 

According to Chen, the process is better viewed as a short-term liquidity redistribution mechanism rather than a source of fresh capital entering the market.

He explained that in a market that has been in a sustained downtrend, quarter-end flows can move in either direction. Some portfolios may mechanically rebalance into underweighted risk assets, creating short-term demand. At the same time, others may reduce exposure due to risk compression and de-leveraging.

As a result, Chen argues that quarter-end rebalancing tends to amplify short-term volatility rather than establish a clear directional trend. “Quarter-end rebalancing does not create new capital. It only reshuffles existing exposure, making it a timing effect rather than a trend driver,” he said.

In Chen’s view, quarter-end portfolio adjustments should be regarded as short-term market noise rather than a structural catalyst capable of changing Bitcoin’s broader price trajectory.

Technical outlook: Is BTC bottoming?Bitcoin recovered over 3%, trading above $61,800 on Friday after finding support around the ascending trendline (drawn by connecting multiple lows since January 2023) earlier this week. Meanwhile, the Crypto King has dropped to a new yearly low of $57,800, the lowest level since September 2024, during the same week.

If BTC continues to hold this ascending trendline support roughly around $58,000, it could extend the recovery toward the 200-week Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $62,652. A successful weekly close above this level could extend gains toward the 78.60% Fibonacci retracement level at $65,520 (drawn from the August 2024 low of $49,000 to the October 2025 record high at $126,199).

Momentum indicators on the weekly chart show signs of concern: the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is trending lower and nearing oversold territory, with a reading of 35 on Friday. Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) flipped to a bearish crossover on June 22, and the bearish signal remains intact, supporting a negative outlook.

However, if BTC closes below the ascending trendline support, roughly around $58,000 on a weekly basis, it could extend the losses toward the next weekly support at $55,777.

BTC/USDT weekly chartOn the daily chart, BTC reclaims $61,300 on Friday, after rebounding from a 21-month low of $57,800 earlier this week. However, BTC maintains a bearish bias, as it decisively remains below the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) at $66,028, $69,826, and $75,782, respectively.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 44 stays below the midline, hinting at subdued buying pressure, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) shows a positive reading with the MACD line above its signal and above zero, indicating improving but still insufficient momentum to challenge the prevailing overhead supply.

On the topside, initial resistance appears near the horizontal barrier at $64,004, ahead of the 50-day EMA at $66,028, which reinforces a wider cap zone for any bounce. Further up, the 100-day EMA at $69,826 and the 200-day EMA at $75,782 align as successive resistance levels before the more distant horizontal level at $84,410. 

On the downside, a failure to reclaim the $64,000 area would leave BTC vulnerable to renewed pressure targeting the key psychological level at $55,000.

BTC/USDT daily chart(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

Bitcoin, altcoins, stablecoins FAQs Bitcoin is the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, a virtual currency designed to serve as money. This form of payment cannot be controlled by any one person, group, or entity, which eliminates the need for third-party participation during financial transactions.

Altcoins are any cryptocurrency apart from Bitcoin, but some also regard Ethereum as a non-altcoin because it is from these two cryptocurrencies that forking happens. If this is true, then Litecoin is the first altcoin, forked from the Bitcoin protocol and, therefore, an “improved” version of it.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to have a stable price, with their value backed by a reserve of the asset it represents. To achieve this, the value of any one stablecoin is pegged to a commodity or financial instrument, such as the US Dollar (USD), with its supply regulated by an algorithm or demand. The main goal of stablecoins is to provide an on/off-ramp for investors willing to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies. Stablecoins also allow investors to store value since cryptocurrencies, in general, are subject to volatility.

Bitcoin dominance is the ratio of Bitcoin's market capitalization to the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies combined. It provides a clear picture of Bitcoin’s interest among investors. A high BTC dominance typically happens before and during a bull run, in which investors resort to investing in relatively stable and high market capitalization cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. A drop in BTC dominance usually means that investors are moving their capital and/or profits to altcoins in a quest for higher returns, which usually triggers an explosion of altcoin rallies.

COINTELEGRAPH: Bitcoin supply metric prints first 'buy' signal since late 2022 as bear market continues

In brief U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs took in $221.7 million on Thursday, their biggest daily inflow in about two months, ending a 10-day outflow streak. The streak pulled some $2.7 billion from the funds and capped June, the worst month on record for the products, with about $4.5 billion in outflows. Fidelity's FBTC led with $166 million, while BlackRock's IBIT bucked the trend with a $40 million outflow. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs returned to net inflows on Thursday, snapping a 10-day losing streak, as a weak jobs report and softer signals from the Federal Reserve eased pressure on risk assets.

The funds pulled in $221.7 million, their largest daily haul in about two months, according to data from SoSoValue. Fidelity's FBTC led with $166 million, followed by ARKB at $91.8 million and VanEck's HODL at $4.4 million. BlackRock's IBIT was the exception, shedding $40.4 million to extend a losing run dating to mid-June.

The inflow ended a stretch that drained about $2.7 billion from the funds and closed out a miserable June, the worst month on record for U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which bled around $4.5 billion. Bitcoin, which fell to a 21-month low below $58,000 earlier in the week, had since climbed back above $61,000, per CoinGecko data.

Rate fears easeThe catalyst was a softer read on the U.S. economy and a shift in tone at the Fed. The government's June jobs report showed just 57,000 nonfarm payrolls added, well below the roughly 110,000 forecast, while Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled that inflation risks had eased, cooling bets on further rate hikes and pulling the dollar back.

Warsh's comments "improved overall market sentiment," driving inflows to Bitcoin ETFs and sparking Bitcoin's rebound over $61,000, Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue Research Institute, told Decrypt. Adziima added that "the same positive shift is now supporting renewed flows into Ethereum ETFs as well," with the products posting inflows of $14.9 million Wednesday and $29.1 million Thursday, per SoSoValue.

Tim Sun, senior researcher at HashKey, tied the turn to "the marginal shift in interest rate expectations." Persistent outflows, he said, had reflected the market's "pricing-in of further rate hikes," which lifted the dollar and real yields against non-yielding Bitcoin, while the weak payrolls print has been "weakening the market's anticipation of further rate hikes."

Not a reversal yetSun cautioned that the bounce is "only a temporary recovery after the easing of interest rate pressure” with a trend reversal as yet unconfirmed. Bitcoin's path is still "constrained by changes in the U.S. dollar, real interest rates, and Federal Reserve policies," he added.

Stephen Wundke, strategy and revenue director at Algoz Technologies, saw bargain-hunters buying oversold assets after a flight to safety that hit even gold, with investors crowding into Treasury bills. Falling five-year yields and oil prices, he added, signal inflation coming back under control, while those investors “looking for a BTC bottom or recognising oversold assets started to bottom fish.” Bitcoin may "bounce around the bottom for a few more weeks," he said, "but the direction of travel is clear to see."

On prediction market Myraid, owned by Decrypt's parent company Dastan, users remain bearish on that direction. They put the chances of Bitcoin's next move taking it to $55,000 rather than $84,000 at 74%, roughly the same as a week ago.

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TLDR Bitcoin whales bought more than 270,000 BTC worth about $16.7 billion over the past two weeks. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $4.06 billion in June outflows, marking their worst month since launch. The ETF outflows pushed 2026 flows negative before the funds recorded a $221 million inflow on Thursday. Bitfinex analysts said whale accumulation and institutional selling have appeared near past Bitcoin cycle lows. Solana outperformed major crypto assets after rising about 15% since early June. Bitcoin whales bought $16.7 billion in BTC during two weeks, even as U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs lost $4.06 billion in June. The record ETF bleed pushed 2026 flows negative, but Thursday brought a $221 million inflow. Therefore, the market showed a clear split between institutional selling and whale accumulation.

Bitcoin Whales Absorb ETF Selling Pressure Bitcoin whales added more than 270,000 BTC over two weeks, according to Bitfinex analysts. Bitcoin whales bought while U.S. funds faced their worst month since launch. The buying reached about $16.7 billion at Bitcoin’s $62,055 price.

Bitcoin whales moved against the ETF trend as spot demand stayed weak. Bitfinex said the spot premium remained negative during the buying period. That signal showed U.S. spot desks did not drive the accumulation.

Bitcoin whales often accumulate when weaker holders sell near cycle lows. Bitcoin whales also reduce liquid supply when they move coins into long-term wallets. However, ETF outflows showed institutions still cut exposure during June.

Solana Gains While Bitcoin Whales Build Positions Solana moved in the opposite direction from most large crypto assets. SOL rose about 15% since early June despite Bitcoin hitting 21-month lows. The token gained support from upgrades and stronger network activity.

Tokenized real-world asset transfers on Solana rose 120% to $8.53 billion. That growth helped SOL outperform while Bitcoin whales focused on BTC accumulation. Bitfinex analysts called the market split a “familiar one.”

They said altcoins often fall before Bitcoin and recover before Bitcoin. Still, Bitcoin whales kept their attention on BTC during the ETF selloff. The pattern showed different groups taking different risks across crypto markets.

Optimism Falls as Bitcoin Whales Signal Market Stress Optimism and other layer-2 tokens traded near record lows. Base dropped Optimism’s shared technology, and that move weakened the fee-capture case. As a result, traders reduced exposure to several Ethereum scaling tokens.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin whales continued to absorb supply from sellers. Bitcoin whales created a sharp contrast with institutions that exited ETFs. Bitcoin whales have shown similar behavior near past recovery phases.

The next U.S. inflation reading now carries major weight for crypto markets. May inflation reached 4.2%, although Kevin Warsh said inflation risks had eased. A softer print could change rate expectations before the Fed meeting.

Catherine Austin Fitts, former Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and one of the most outspoken critics of central financial control systems, has made her position on Ripple and XRP unusually clear: she believes they are central to the financial infrastructure being built right now, while Bitcoin is not.

“XRP and Ripple will be exceptionally important to whatever the train tracks they’re building,” Fitts said in a recent interview. “I don’t see Bitcoin as being an important part of that.”

Why Ripple and Not Bitcoin

Fitts drew a sharp distinction between Bitcoin’s role as a digital asset and XRP’s role as functional payment infrastructure. Her argument is not ideological but practical. Bitcoin, in her view, is not an efficient payment system and lacks the fundamental utility required for the cross-border settlement rails that financial institutions are rapidly building out.

She pointed to institutions actively integrating networks through Ripple and Stellar, using XRP and XLM for cross-border payments, as evidence that the choice of infrastructure has already been made at the institutional level. The question is not which asset wins the debate. The question is which asset gets embedded into the system that moves money globally.

The Prototype Theory

Fitts also offered a broader framework for understanding how financial infrastructure gets built, one shaped by decades of watching how powerful institutions develop and deploy new systems.

Her observation is that the people who run financial systems always prototype. They test, iterate and build incrementally, often persuading talented developers to contribute by framing the project as something liberating rather than controlling. By the time the full picture becomes clear, the infrastructure is already embedded.

In that context, her view of Bitcoin is particularly pointed. She suggested the more likely scenario for Bitcoin going forward is that it gets sold to sovereign governments as the institutional whales who got in early look for an exit, rather than becoming foundational infrastructure for the next financial system.

XRP, by contrast, is already doing the work that the next financial system requires: moving value across borders quickly, cheaply and at institutional scale.

Story Ends Here

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Growing optimism around XRP ETF developments is driving interest in early-yield strategies, with EX DeFi gaining attention alongside cloud mining infrastructure.

Summary

Rising optimism over XRP ETF inflows is boosting interest in cloud mining platforms such as EX DeFi. The platform highlights its cloud mining services as growing XRP ETF optimism draws attention to crypto infrastructure. EX DeFi positions its cloud mining platform to benefit from renewed market interest following XRP ETF developments. The optimism surrounding XRP ETF inflows is driving investors towards early-yield strategies, and the potential opportunities presented by cloud mining and related infrastructure are also drawing market attention to the EX DeFi platform.

Discussions about the “next cryptocurrency breakthrough” are intensifying, with XRP (Ripple) once again becoming a focal point in the cryptocurrency industry.

Recently, market sentiment has improved as progress on the XRP ETF has continued. Industry insiders believe that the continued rollout of compliant investment products is expected to further increase institutional investor participation and bring more market attention to mainstream digital assets like XRP. Meanwhile, ecosystem development, improved liquidity, and infrastructure growth are also crucial factors driving the industry’s long-term growth.

Several market research institutions point out that if the XRP ETF can continue to attract institutional funds, its impact could be similar to the positive effects of early Bitcoin ETF launches. However, market performance will still be influenced by various factors, including the macroeconomic environment, regulatory policies, and investor risk appetite, and future trends remain uncertain.

Against this backdrop, EX DeFi, as a digital asset service platform, offers cloud mining solutions, allowing users to participate in mining without deploying specialized equipment. As the market continues to develop, this more convenient and efficient participation model is gradually becoming a focus of industry attention.

Why EX DeFi has become more popular after the XRP ETF listing EX DeFi was one of the fastest-growing cloud mining platforms in 2026, renowned for its green energy-powered mining farms, transparent computing power, and compliant architecture. No mining rigs, equipment maintenance, or technical expertise are required; you simply purchase a computing power contract to start mining.

EX DeFi is incorporated in the UK and regulated by regulatory bodies. The company employs international security systems such as McAfee® and Cloudflare®, and 2FA verification to provide bank-grade protection for customer funds and data. All yield is processed in real-time through smart contracts, ensuring transparency and traceability. The platform currently serves users in over 180 countries and is supported and trusted by 2 million investors worldwide.

How EX DeFi ensures the safety of customer funds Fund security has always been a crucial foundation of the EX DeFi platform. To further protect user assets and account security, the platform has established a multi-layered security protection system covering asset storage, risk control, cybersecurity, and compliance management.

Regarding asset storage, the platform employs a cold and hot wallet separation management mechanism. Over 80% of users’ digital assets are stored in offline cold wallets, physically isolated from the internet to reduce potential cyberattack risks. Simultaneously, the platform’s digital assets are insured by Lloyd’s of London, adding an extra layer of protection for user assets.

In terms of risk management, EX DeFi has introduced an intelligent risk control system to monitor transaction behavior in real time, promptly identifying abnormal transactions, suspicious fund flows, and potential risks, further enhancing the platform’s overall security management capabilities.

Furthermore, the platform regularly undergoes security and compliance audits by PwC, which independently assesses operational processes and fund management, continuously improving transparency and traceability. Regarding cybersecurity, EX DeFi combines Cloudflare enterprise-grade network protection with McAfee security protection systems to provide 24/7 system security protection for the platform, continuously optimizing the digital asset security management environment for global users.

How to Earn Daily Yields with EX DeFi EX DeFi is easy to use; simply follow these four steps to earn daily mining rewards:

1. Register an Account

Visit the official EX DeFi website and register for free using an email address. New users receive a $17 bonus.

2. Deposit Cryptocurrency

Supports a variety of mainstream cryptocurrencies, such as XRP, BTC, ETH, BNB, USDT, LTC, USDC, BCH, DOGE, and SOL. The deposit process is clear, convenient, transparent, and secure.

3. Choose a Mining Contract

Choose a mining yield plan that suits a particular budget. The minimum deposit is only $100. Smart automatic mining will be enabled after system activation.

4. Automatically Receive Daily Rewards

The platform provides 24/7 smart mining services and automatically distributes daily rewards. Users can easily earn passive income without any manual operation.

EX DeFi Popular Yield Plans

BTC (Beginner Trial Contract): $100 | Term: 2 days | Daily Yield: $4 | Total Yield: $100 + $8

DOGE/LTC (Goldshell Mini DOGE Pro): $500 | Term: 6 days | Daily Yield: $6.5 | Total Yield: $500 + $39

DOGE (Goldshell-LT6): $2500 | Term: 15 days | Daily Yield: $35 | Total Yield: $2500 + $525

BTC (Bitmain-S19): $7000 | Term: 25 days | Daily Yield: $107.8 | Total Yield: $7000 + $2695

BTC (Whats-M56): $30000 | Term: 33 days | Daily Yield: $501 | Total Yield: $30000 + $16533 USD

For details on mining contracts, please visit the EX DeFi website.

Conclusion As the digital asset market continues to develop, the launch of the XRP ETF is seen by many market participants as a significant milestone in the industry’s development, further increasing market attention to the digital asset ecosystem. For investors, while focusing on market opportunities, a greater emphasis on long-term planning, risk management, and diversified participation methods is gradually becoming a new investment trend.

Against this backdrop, EX DeFi provides users with a more convenient way to participate through cloud mining infrastructure and digital asset services. As the industry continues to evolve, the platform will continue to improve its product and service systems to help users participate in the digital asset ecosystem more efficiently and seize long-term market opportunities.

Visit the EX DeFi official website to start the cloud mining journey and earn up to $7,000 daily.

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

The Friday expiry session delivered a clear split between Bitcoin and Ether derivatives positioning. A combined $2.13 billion in options notional value settled as 31,000 BTC contracts and 135,000 ETH contracts matured, but the underlying sentiment metrics told two very different stories, according to the market update from WuBlockchain.

Bitcoin’s put-call ratio came in at 0.70, meaning roughly 10 put contracts expired for every 14 calls. A reading below 1 typically signals that traders favored upside exposure, either through outright calls or protective strategies sold into strength. The $1.9 billion in notional value also set the stage for a non-trivial delta hedging unwind as the settlement window closed.

Ether, by contrast, printed a put-call ratio of 1.29. More puts than calls pointed toward a market bracing for downside or hedging aggressively. The $230 million in ETH options notional was a fraction of the Bitcoin tally, but the direction of the ratio was unmistakably cautious. Maximum pain for Ether sat at $1,650—a level that would leave the bulk of open interest worthless and that has historically acted as a magnet during expiry hours.

Bitcoin’s own max pain point was $61,000. When spot prices gravitate toward that strike, options sellers—often market makers—collect premium with minimal payout obligations. Whether the week’s price action respected those gravitational pulls is the kind of detail that matters for desk traders recalibrating gamma exposure. The data alone cannot confirm a direct cause, but the dynamic is well understood by platforms that track weekly expiries.

The divergence between the two largest crypto assets by market cap isn’t happenstance. Bitcoin has been absorbing institutional flows for months, with open interest on Deribit and CME reflecting a market that is increasingly about macro hedging rather than pure speculation. Ether, on the other hand, deals with a more complex narrative: staking yields, Layer-2 fee reduction pressures, and ongoing debates about its monetary premium. The higher put-call ratio may simply reflect a structural need to hedge these moving parts.

That backdrop makes the options data a useful snapshot, not a prophecy. Some altcoin movers ignored any cautious signals, with names like TON, SIREN, and VVV booking large weekly gains during the same window. It’s a reminder that options flow on the majors captures only part of the market’s risk appetite.

What remains uncertain is whether the ETH put dominance will translate into spot pressure or was simply a one-week hedge against an event that didn’t materialize. Post-expiry, the options market resets, and flows rebuild. If the max pain theory held, Ether may have spent the session pinned near $1,650, but the clearing of that concentration also frees up directional bets for the following week.

Longer-term, the expansion of the options market continues to alter how crypto trades. The tokenization of real-world assets, for one, has drawn institutional eyes toward on-chain yields, with RWAs crossing $20 billion in recent weeks. When capital allocators can earn yield on tokenized Treasuries or private credit, their options positioning on BTC and ETH becomes more nuanced. A put isn’t just a short bet; it’s part of a larger portfolio construction puzzle.

Underneath the derivatives surface, network fundamentals haven’t stood still either. The chains that dominate developer mindshare—Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Solana—continue to see robust activity, as highlighted by this week’s developer activity rankings. That kind of sustained building gives the options market something genuine to hedge.

For the immediate term, traders will be watching whether Ether’s put-call ratio moderates in the next weekly expiry or if it signals a more entrenched defensive posture. Bitcoin’s call-heavy expiry, while seemingly bullish, doesn’t preclude a shakeout. Max pain levels often act as a target, not a floor, and the mechanics of dealer hedging can amplify moves in either direction after settlement.

AUTHOR

Brenda is a writer with three years of experience specializing in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. She graduated from the University of Mombasa with a degree in Psychology. She has worked at Cryptopolitan and Blockchain Reporter.

TLDR: Table of Contents

TLDR:Altcoin Sell Pressure Extends a 15-Month Distribution TrendWhat the Record Volume Gap Means for an Altcoin Recovery Altcoin sell pressure has reached a fresh multi-year low after more than 15 months of persistent net selling across major spot exchanges. The cumulative buy and sell volume difference for altcoins excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum has moved below the five-year extreme recorded in June. The prolonged imbalance indicates broad distribution, with sellers repeatedly overwhelming new demand whenever altcoin prices attempt to recover. A flattening cumulative volume gap could offer the first sign of improvement, but current data does not confirm a wider altcoin market bottom. Altcoin sell pressure has fallen to a fresh multi-year low as sellers maintain control across spot exchanges. CryptoQuant data shows the cumulative buy and sell volume difference dropped below its June extreme. The measure excludes Bitcoin and Ethereum, focusing on the wider altcoin market.

The indicator has stayed negative for more than 15 months. That pattern points to prolonged distribution rather than a brief market correction. Bitcoin traded near $61,600, while Ethereum changed hands around $1,720 as the update emerged. Yet broader altcoin demand still showed little evidence of a sustained recovery.

Altcoin Sell Pressure Extends a 15-Month Distribution Trend The cumulative volume difference measures whether traders aggressively buy or sell altcoins on spot markets. A negative reading means selling volume exceeds buying volume over the measured period.

Altcoin Sell Pressure Broke to a Fresh Multi-Year Low

“The cumulative buy/sell volume diff (alts ex BTC/ETH) hit a 5-year extreme in June. Now it's gone even lower.” – By @IT_Tech_PL pic.twitter.com/od6zSYIaN2

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) July 3, 2026

The gauge briefly approached a balanced level in early 2025. It then reversed sharply and moved deeper into negative territory. The cumulative gap was near negative $209 billion in June. Other market estimates later showed the deficit approaching negative $240 billion.

The exact figure can vary with timing and exchange coverage. Still, the direction remains clear across the available data. Sellers have repeatedly absorbed buying attempts, while demand has failed to establish a lasting floor.

According to Cryptoquant data, the move is a continued distribution without a visible bottom. The five-year extreme reached in June has now fallen further. This trend does not mean every altcoin has declined together. Several tokens can rally on project-specific catalysts or temporary liquidity shifts. However, isolated gains do not confirm broad altcoin accumulation.

What the Record Volume Gap Means for an Altcoin Recovery A broad altcoin recovery usually needs expanding spot demand across many assets. Current data shows the opposite, with net selling still dominating the market.

The prolonged volume imbalance suggests investors are reducing exposure whenever liquidity improves. That process can limit rallies, as fresh buying meets existing holders seeking exits. It also weakens the case for an immediate altseason led by broad market participation.

The first improvement may not appear as a positive reading. A flattening trend would show that selling pressure is no longer accelerating. Several weeks of rising cumulative volume difference would offer stronger evidence that buyers are returning.

Traders may also watch altcoin market share, stablecoin flows, and Ethereum performance against Bitcoin. Those measures can reveal whether capital is rotating beyond the two largest cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrencies gained ground on Thursday while major stock indexes closed at all-time highs, as softer-than-expected jobs data lowered expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike.

Crypto Market RalliesBitcoin briefly broke $62,000 but failed to sustain the rally, pulling back to the low $61,000 range. Ethereum experienced a more pronounced rally, breaking through the $1,700 level before consolidating sideways.

Nearly $460 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, predominantly in short positions, according to Coinglass data

Bitcoin’s open interest rose 1.14% over the last 24 hours to $46.22 billion. Derivatives traders on Binance, including both retail and whale investors, remained net long on the leading cryptocurrency but trimmed their long positions.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.2 trillion, following a dip of 0.79% over the last 24 hours.

Dow Closes At New RecordMajor indexes bounced back on Thursday after a brief pause. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 594.83 points, or 1.14%, to hit a record close of 52,900.07.  The S&P 500 eked out a narrow gain to end at 7,483.24, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8% to close at 25,832.67.

U.S. job growth slowed sharply in June, with only 57,000 jobs added, missing economists’ forecast of 110,000 and down from 129,000 in May. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.2%, below the 4.3% consensus.

The CME Group’s FedWatch tool showed markets lowering the likelihood of the Fed keeping the rates unchanged in September to 45% from nearly 50% the day before.

‘Incoming Volatility’Blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant warned that Bitcoin’s failure to hold $60,000 could trigger accelerated selling, potentially driving the price down toward its realized price of $53,000, which serves as a major support level.

CryptoQuant reported that the average Bitcoin deposit size has doubled from 1 BTC to 2 BTC, signaling increased activity from whales and institutional investors rather than retail participants.

“Whales appear to be leading the move. Incoming volatility,” the firm added.

Michaël van de Poppe, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader, said that he’s not selling his altcoins and plans to take profits once market excitement around altcoins returns.

“The markets are just waking up and sentiment can change fast,” Van De Poppe said. “There’s no need to be looking to be selling the actual market bottom, as that would be here.”

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9h20 ▪ 6 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

The historic volatility of cryptos once again reminded market operators that short-term certainties do not exist in this universe. This Thursday, July 2, the ecosystem recorded a technical reversal, inflicting dry financial losses on investors positioned short. Indeed, this sudden surge, occurring after several days of bearish pressure, redefines the short-term price dynamics for the main market assets. Understanding the mechanisms of such a purge is essential today, as it illustrates the extreme sensitivity of the crypto market to leverage effects and global macroeconomic indicators.

In brief The crypto market rebound triggered a massive liquidation of short positions, with over 600 million dollars wiped out in just 24 hours. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP saw a clear rebound, driven by a strong short position coverage movement. The latest US economic indicators, notably the slowdown in employment, revived hopes of a Fed monetary policy easing. Shares of major crypto-related companies, like Strategy, Coinbase and Circle, also benefited from this renewed optimism. Bitcoin: cleaning up short positions in the derivatives market The crypto market rebound, after a violent drop, observed over the last 24 hours, completely caught bearish investors’ strategies off guard, causing major price movements and massive losses on derivatives products :

Bitcoin (BTC) surge : the top market crypto surpassed the $62,000 mark for the first time in over a week, reaching a local high at $62,078 after having plunged below $58,000 earlier in the week (a 21-month low). It then stabilized around $61,650, up 3% on the day and 4% on the week ; The scale of global liquidations : the technical purge totaled $602 million in 24 hours, with short positions representing the majority of the carnage with $400 million in net losses ; The case of Ethereum (ETH) : notably, ETH surpassed bitcoin as the top contributor to forced liquidations with $187 million wiped out by its traders, versus $184 million for BTC, taking its price to $1,701 (nearly 5% increase) ; The performances of Solana (SOL) and XRP : Solana jumped nearly 5% for the day to $81, becoming the biggest weekly gainer in the top 10 with over 22% gain. XRP increased over 3% to trade at $1.09. This exceptionally large technical purge demonstrates how quickly forced liquidations can feed into each other. The simultaneous reversal of major altcoins confirms that the market was trapped by an excessive accumulation of highly leveraged short positions, turning a simple technical resistance into a powerful global short position cover rally.

Macroeconomic catalysts and US employment indicators This bullish turnaround in capital markets stems directly from the latest economic releases and the monetary policy directions in the United States. The rebound began following statements by Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, who deliberately maintained ambiguity on the institution’s future intentions. Indeed, investors reacted positively when the leader “declined to say whether the agency planned rate hikes, but later this year”.

Following this intervention, interest rate traders now estimate almost equal probabilities regarding the Fed decision to hold or raise rates at the September meeting. However, they still project a 64% probability that a rate hike will occur by the October FOMC meeting.

The upward movement intensified Thursday after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that US employers created only 57,000 jobs in June. This figure was much lower than the initial target of 115,000. Moreover, it is a clear decline compared to the revised 129,000 jobs recorded in May.

This marked slowdown in US employment paradoxically boosted global risky assets in particular bitcoin, easing fears of a prolonged monetary tightening by central bankers. While traditional markets reacted mixedly, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing lower and the Dow Jones remaining in the green, the crypto sphere took advantage of this slowdown to initiate its technical relief rally.

Stock market reaction and the surge of Web3-linked stocks The impact of this price rebound was not limited to retail investor portfolios; it also shook the shares of listed crypto sector companies. Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which remains the world’s largest corporate bitcoin holder, saw its stock appreciate nearly 7% to reach $100.

This recovery is all the more significant because the stock had dropped to nearly $80 the previous week. In the same bullish momentum, the American exchange platform Coinbase’s stock rose 3.35% to $165. Circle, issuer of the USDC stablecoin, completed this positive picture by recording a nearly 5% increase to reach $65, showing strong resilience.

However, the future implications of this global movement invite a nuanced analysis of the market’s macroeconomic structure. While this technical rebound validates cryptos’ immediate responsiveness to Fed signals and illustrates the constant danger of leverage for sellers, the overall trend calls for real ethical caution. Taking the necessary perspective, bitcoin still shows a 16 % decline over the last month and trades approximately 52% below its all-time high near $126,000 set in October 2025.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Bitcoin climbed above the $61,000 mark and the recovery was led by macro data, as weaker U.S. jobs numbers increased expectations that the Federal Reserve may shift toward a less restrictive policy stance. The cryptocurrency was trading at $61,739 mark.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin was up 2.80% and Ethereum was up 6.24% to trade at $1,716 mark. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Tron, Hyperliquid, Dogecoin, and Cardano gained upto 6.68%.

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Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange said the move is still a relief rally, not a confirmed reversal. For Bitcoin, $62,200 is the first resistance. A sustained move above this level can open room toward $64,000–$65,000.

ETF flows have improved for Bitcoin but remain uneven, while Ethereum ETF flows are largely flat, Sehgal further said. Bitcoin picked up to $62,000 after whales added 270,000 BTC, forcing $130M short losses and the fear and greed index has risen to 22, as the market sentiments improve but still remain under fear, said CoinDCX Research Team.

The global crypto market capitalisation went up 2.64% to $2.13 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap.

In the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum were up 1.97% and 8.68% respectively. Among the major altcoins, XRP, Solana, Hyperliquid, Dogecoin, and Cardano gained upto 14.91% whereas BNB and Tron were down 1.25% and 1.15% respectively.

CoinSwitch Markets Desk said BTC staged a rebound towards $62K, driven primarily by a short squeeze. However, the broader backdrop remains mixed. Institutional demand remains weak due to persistent ETF outflows, while higher bond yields continue to compete with risk assets.

The next major directional move will likely depend on macroeconomic conditions, institutional flows, and whether BTC can sustain momentum above $62K toward the $65K resistance, CoinSwitch Markets Desk further said.

Here is what other analyst say

Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42: Bitcoin’s rebound following weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data underscores how closely crypto markets are tracking macroeconomic expectations. For investors, the conversation is gradually shifting from “how low can prices go” to “when does liquidity begin returning to the market.

Also Read | 11 equity mutual funds multiply lumpsum investments by 4x in 7 years. Do you own any in your portfolio?

Nischal Shetty, founder, WazirX: Bitcoin recovered above the $60,000 mark as investors responded positively to expectations of a more accommodative monetary policy, while Ethereum ETFs recorded fresh inflows, signalling renewed institutional interest.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus: The recovery above $60,000 has helped stabilise market sentiment. This follows this week's decline towards $58,000. However, it is still not enough to confirm a durable trend reversal.

Akshat Siddhant, Lead quant analyst, Mudrex: On-chain data shows Bitcoin exchange inflows have climbed above 50,000 BTC per day, along with Ethereum exchange inflows exceeding 1.25 million ETH. Historically, such spikes in exchange deposits have often been followed by increased volatility, including June’s decline to $58,000.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

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COINTELEGRAPH: Is Bitcoin heading for $65K? Sharplink buys $16M ETH: Market Moves

Strategy's importance to Bitcoin is likely to diminish next cycle as institutional investors emerge as the market's dominant buyers.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy has long served as the dominant corporate force behind Bitcoin buying, but that may be changing.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan believes that the company will play a much smaller role in driving the crypto asset’s demand in the next market cycle.

Next Wave of BTC Buyers In his latest market analysis, Hougan said that Strategy’s role in the Bitcoin market has changed after the company adopted a new framework for STRC, which allows it to periodically sell the crypto to fund dividend obligations. While Hougan acknowledged that he does not expect Strategy to become a major BTC seller, he did say that the company could now buy or sell the crypto depending on market conditions rather than acting as a constant source of demand.

He added that there is no mechanism forcing Strategy to sell more than a few billion dollars’ worth of Bitcoin annually, and if the crypto asset’s prices recover, the exec still expects the company to remain a net buyer. Even so, Hougan said Strategy is unlikely to carry the same market influence it did during the previous cycle.

Instead, he expects institutional investors to emerge as the dominant force behind Bitcoin accumulation. Looking at BTC’s history, Hougan said market leadership has repeatedly shifted between different groups of buyers, moving from cypherpunks to Asian investors, then US retail participants, followed by the Grayscale Investments Bitcoin Trust and later Strategy.

The Bitwise CIO now believes the next phase will be led by institutions with significantly larger pools of capital. These include global banks, asset managers, pension funds, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, and financial advisers. According to him, this transition is already underway.

For instance, Morgan Stanley has launched proprietary Bitcoin ETFs, while Wells Fargo has started adding BTC exposure to model portfolios. He also highlighted that Texas became the first US state to fund a strategic BTC reserve, while several sovereign wealth funds and sovereign banks either already hold the crypto asset or have begun evaluating allocations.

You may also like: Bitcoin (BTC) Starts July Under $60K, Cardano (ADA) Finally Rebounds: Market Watch Metaplanet Adds 2,823 Bitcoin, But Still Needs 57,000 BTC to Hit 2026 Target The Vanishing Bitcoin Bid: Where Are the ETF Billions Going? Despite Bitcoin ETF outflows during 2026, Hougan noted that the products have attracted more than $50 billion since launching in 2024 and are now available on most major financial adviser platforms.

Strategy Slowdown May Benefit Bitcoin A slowdown in Strategy’s Bitcoin purchases would not necessarily be bearish for the market, according to HashKey Group’s Senior Researcher Tim Sun. Speaking to CryptoPotato, Sun said that if the company is forced to slow or pause its accumulation, it would help unwind the distortion in supply and demand created by its financing-driven buying model.

Rather than relying heavily on Strategy’s purchases and ETF inflows, Bitcoin would have an opportunity to establish a stronger price floor based on genuine market demand, resulting in what Sun views as a healthier market structure.

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Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.

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COINTELEGRAPH: Bitcoin holds $61K after US jobs data report, AI sector weakness: Did BTC bottom?

Bitcoin (BTC) is facing renewed downside risks after exchange inflows surged to levels rarely seen this year, signaling the market could be entering another period of heightened volatility, according to a report by CryptoQuant on Thursday.

The report noted that the $60,000 level remains a decisive support zone despite Bitcoin establishing a fresh bear market low below $58,000 earlier in the week. A sustained decline below the support could trigger a move toward Bitcoin's realized price at $53,000.

Bitcoin exchange inflows surge to 49,000 BTC, mark yearly extremesCryptoQuant analysts highlighted that Bitcoin exchange inflows surged to 49,000 BTC on June 30, an unusually high level recorded only four other times this year.

Bitcoin: Exchange Inflow (Total). Source: CryptoQuantThe firm noted that previous inflow spikes of similar magnitude were consistently followed by periods of elevated price volatility, suggesting the latest increase could signal a market shift as large amounts of Bitcoin are transferred to exchanges.

Beyond the high deposit volume, CryptoQuant noted that the composition of exchange inflows has also shifted, indicating that larger market participants are becoming increasingly active.

"Bitcoin inflow surge is being driven by large-holder deposits, with the average Bitcoin exchange deposit spiking from approximately 1 BTC to 2 BTC," CryptoQuant wrote.

The report stated that rising average deposit sizes have historically been a stronger bearish signal than elevated inflow volumes alone. The rise indicates deliberate positioning by whales and institutional investors rather than routine retail activity.

Similar patterns in previous market cycles have frequently preceded periods of sustained selling pressure.

Ethereum, altcoins see similar rise in exchange inflows, reinforcing bearish sentimentCryptoQuant also highlighted that the increase in exchange deposits is not limited to Bitcoin, suggesting broader weakness across the digital asset market.

"Ethereum exchange inflows also surged sharply in late June, breaching the 1.25 million ETH daily level, an elevated reading consistent with heightened selling pressure,” the report noted.

Ethereum: Exchange Inflow (Total). Source: CryptoQuantThe firm shared that concurrent spikes in Bitcoin and Ethereum deposits have historically coincided with elevated volatility across the broader crypto market.

Rather than reflecting isolated weakness in a single asset, the pattern suggests investors are repositioning portfolios more defensively as macro uncertainty and bearish sentiment weigh on digital assets.

CryptoQuant also pointed to growing activity across altcoins, noting that exchange deposit transactions climbed to nearly 45,000 per day, their highest level in almost two months.

"Historically, surges in altcoin deposit transactions have marked inflection points for crypto prices and signaled increased volatility ahead," the firm stated.

A similar surge in altcoin deposits occurred during Bitcoin's earlier decline from around $82,000 in early May to below $58,000 in late June.

The report suggests that repeated spikes above this threshold have historically marked inflection points for crypto prices and signaled periods of elevated market volatility. This adds to growing risk-off sentiment among market participants.

Bitcoin is trading at $61,340, up 2.5% over the past 24 hours at the time of writing.

TLDR; Table of Contents

TLDR;Trump Crypto Earnings Driven by Memecoin and Financial VenturesTrump Crypto Earnings Fuel Ethics Debate Over Policy DecisionsGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Trump crypto earnings exceeded $1.4 billion, according to federal financial disclosures, with most income linked to World Liberty Financial and the TRUMP memecoin licensing business. Donald Trump said he does not actively manage his investments, explaining that external funds and blind trust arrangements oversee his personal finances rather than himself. Financial filings reveal more than $600 million came from TRUMP memecoin royalties and over $500 million originated from World Liberty Financial operations. Ethics experts continue debating whether blind trust protections remain effective when policies affecting digital assets overlap with businesses carrying the president’s own brand. Trump crypto earnings have become a major talking point after newly released federal financial disclosures showed more than $1.4 billion in digital asset-related income. Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump said he does not oversee his personal investments and relies on professional fund managers and blind trusts to manage his assets. 

The disclosures indicate that most of the reported income came from businesses connected to the Trump family, including World Liberty Financial and licensing revenue tied to the TRUMP memecoin. The filings have renewed debate over ethics, financial transparency and potential conflicts involving cryptocurrency ventures.

Trump Crypto Earnings Driven by Memecoin and Financial Ventures Federal financial disclosures filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics show that Trump reported more than $1.4 billion in digital asset income. According to the filing, over $600 million came from licensing and royalty agreements connected to the TRUMP memecoin.

🇺🇸 PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST SAID:

1) HE WAS IN CRYPTO BUSINESS BEFORE HE BECAME PRESIDENT.

2) “CRYPTO IS A BIG DEAL”

3) “USA IS NO.1 IN CRYPTO AND AI” pic.twitter.com/O5h73vW8mX

— Ash Crypto (@AshCrypto) July 2, 2026

World Liberty Financial generated more than $500 million of the reported income. The crypto project focuses on governance tokens and stablecoin products. Together, these businesses accounted for nearly all of the disclosed digital asset earnings.

Responding to questions, Trump said he does not actively monitor his investment portfolio. He explained that outside funds manage his assets and that he was not personally involved in day-to-day financial decisions. His remarks have become central to the discussion surrounding the latest disclosures.

Trump Crypto Earnings Fuel Ethics Debate Over Policy Decisions The disclosures have intensified scrutiny from ethics experts and Democratic lawmakers. Critics argue that a blind trust is only effective if the beneficiary has no meaningful knowledge or influence over assets held within it. They also point to administration policies supporting digital asset innovation while businesses linked to Trump operate in the same industry.

The TRUMP memecoin illustrates the divide between project revenue and investor outcomes. After reaching prices above $74 following its launch, the token later traded near $1.68. Market analysts estimate retail investors collectively lost billions during the decline, while Trump-linked businesses reported substantial earnings from licensing activity.

Source: Coingecko World Liberty Financial also experienced sharp price declines after its governance tokens entered the market. Additionally, a $500 million investment from a UAE-linked entity near Trump’s inauguration has drawn additional attention from ethics watchdogs.

The administration has defended its digital asset agenda, including support for stablecoin legislation through the proposed GENIUS Act. Opponents argue the overlap between crypto policymaking and family-linked business interests deserves closer examination, even though no official findings have alleged unlawful conduct.

US spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded another $296 million in net outflows over the past 24 hours, equal to roughly 5,050 BTC. BlackRock led the redemptions, with Grayscale, Fidelity, and ARK Invest also posting losses.

Glassnode data shows the sell-off has now reached $8.95 billion since May 7. Bitcoin trades near $61,600, up 2.4% in 24 hours, but flow data suggests the bounce rests on fragile ground.

ETF Outflows Total $8.95 Billion Across 34 Negative DaysGlassnode’s US spot ETF net flow data shows demand weakening since late September 2025. Daily inflows peaked above $1.2 billion back then. Since then, positive days have grown smaller and less frequent.

The decisive shift arrived on May 7. Since that date, the funds have posted only five positive sessions. The remaining 34 trading days were negative, draining $8.95 billion in total.

BTC US Spot ETF Net Flows / Source: GlassnodeJune alone accounted for $4.5 billion, the worst monthly outflow since the products launched in January 2024. Meanwhile, bitcoin fell 20.48% over the month, its steepest drop since June 2022.

In an X post, analyst That Martini Guy argued that the latest rebound changes little.

“Everyone got excited by yesterday’s bounce. But ETF selling hasn’t stopped. Funding is starting to shift, sentiment still looks fragile, and I don’t think the market structure has changed just yet.”

For the pressure to ease, the ETFs would need a sustained run of net inflows rather than isolated green days. So far, no such streak has appeared.

Bitcoin ETFs just recorded another -$296 million day.

That's around 5,050 BTC leaving the ETFs in the last 24 hours.

BlackRock led the outflows once again, with Grayscale, Fidelity and ARK Invest also seeing redemptions.

Everyone got excited by yesterday's bounce.

But ETF… pic.twitter.com/KyKqNfuDit

— That Martini Guy ₿ (@MartiniGuyYT) July 2, 2026 Coins Leave Exchanges, Yet Bitcoin Keeps FallingExchange balance data complicates the bearish picture. Glassnode’s net position change metric shows coins flowing out of exchanges since late May. Traders usually read such withdrawals as accumulation, because coins move into long-term storage.

However, history offers a warning. The current move is the third deep negative stretch since bitcoin’s all-time high in late 2025. The first ran from late October through December 2025. The second lasted from late January to early March 2026, when the metric dipped near minus $100 billion.

BTC Exchange Net Position Change / Source: GlassnodeEach episode coincided with a continuation of the downtrend rather than a reversal (blue boxes). In contrast to the usual bullish reading, apparent accumulation has repeatedly failed to stop the decline. Deepening capitulation signals elsewhere on-chain tell a similar story.

Moreover, part of the withdrawal may reflect mechanics rather than fresh buying. Coins redeemed from ETFs can move between custody wallets and cold storage without touching order books. Weak US demand readings support that interpretation.

BTC Price Outlook Hinges on Slowing ETF RedemptionsThe two datasets point to one conclusion. ETF flows, not exchange balances, currently set the marginal price of Bitcoin. Until redemptions slow, on-chain accumulation looks unable to absorb the selling.

BTC trades near $61,600 after a 2.4% daily gain. Nevertheless, the price has hovered just above $60,000 since mid-June. A decisive close below that area would confirm that redemption pressure still dominates the market.

Conversely, a sustained flip to net inflows could mark the first structural change since early May. Historically, flow reversals of that kind have preceded durable bottoms rather than followed them.

Until either signal appears, caution remains the sober reading of the data. The next leg depends on whether ETF holders stop selling before spot buyers give up.

Strategy’s era as the dominant Bitcoin buyer may have come to an end following last week’s STRC turmoil, which cast doubt on the company’s Bitcoin-buying strategy and sent the cryptocurrency to a nearly two-year low, according to Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan.

“For years, Strategy has been the most dominant Bitcoin buyer in the world and a one-way source of Bitcoin demand. Those days are likely over,” Hougan said Thursday. 

“I just expect it to be a less important figure in Bitcoin in the next cycle than it was in the last,” Hougan said, adding that investment banks, asset managers, pensions, endowments and sovereign wealth funds will likely replace Strategy as Bitcoin’s primary demand driver.

Confidence in Strategy’s Bitcoin-buying model weakened late last month when its main perpetual preferred stock offering — Stretch (STRC) — broke sharply from its $100 par value to below $75, raising fears that its dividend model was unsustainable. 

The STRC incident coincided with Bitcoin (BTC) falling to a 21-month low of $58,190 on June 25, further rattling confidence across the crypto market. 

Strategy responded by committing to sell Bitcoin where necessary to fund dividends and by expanding its US dollar reserve to $2.55 billion — easing immediate concerns but weakening its position as the industry’s most aggressive Bitcoin buyer, Hougan said.

Hougan said he still expects Strategy to be a “net buyer” in the next bull run, however.

Bitwise portfolio manager Gordon Grant (left) speaks with Hougan (right) about Strategy’s future outlook with STRC. Source: Bitwise

STRC example of “financial engineering” gone wrongHougan described the STRC incident as “classic end-of-cycle dynamics” and likened its collapse to a similar case of “financial engineering” in 2021, when Grayscale’s GBTC premium imploded.

“Money searching for high yields and low volatility was used to buy Bitcoin, which offers neither,” Hougan said. “This money never really fit Bitcoin. And so, it needs to be cleared out before we can find a bottom. That's what's happening today.”

Strategy’s issue with STRC overblown: Strive CEOStrive CEO Matt Cole, however, said Strategy’s incident with STRC has drawn too much media attention and pushed down Bitcoin’s price more than it should have.

Speaking with NovaDius Wealth Management president Nate Geraci on Thursday, Cole noted that Strategy's 847,363 Bitcoin represents just 4% of the total supply, and while Bitcoin isn’t a public company, by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s standards, a 4% stake wouldn't be considered material. 

“If one person owned 4%, you don't even have to report that publicly to the SEC because the SEC deems 4% to be immaterial. They start to view a position to be material at 5%.”Strategy isn’t facing liquidity risk: HouganDespite concern over STRC, Hougan said Strategy has $52 billion worth of liquid assets marked against $7 billion of debt, and that Bitcoin would need to drop another 70% (about $18,500) for the company to be put at risk.

Hougan also noted that if Strategy were to start selling its Bitcoin today, it could cover dividends from STRC and its other perpetual preferred stock offerings for the next 28 years.

Magazine: Bitcoin decouples from tech stocks, Ether eyes ‘selling wave’: Market Moves

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

Bitcoin (BTC) price holds above $61,000 on Friday, maintaining a steady stand during early Asian hours after a two-day recovery of nearly 5%. The risk-off market sentiment eases with the Fear and Greed Index rising to 23  on Friday, indicating a gradual increase in buying pressure. Worldcoin (WLD) and Uniswap (UNI) emerge as preferred tokens over the last 24 hours, outperforming other assets by a significant margin.

Bitcoin’s recovery lacks firm momentumBitcoin keeps steady above $61,000 at press time on Friday. BTC maintains a mild near-term recovery tone amid a broader bearish bias, with prices well below the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $66,015 and the 200-day EMA near $77,159.

The two-day rebound in BTC reflects renewed bullish support near the $60,000 support level, with investors likely buying the dip. Although institutional outflows continue, corporate demand holds with Metaplanet acquiring 2,823 Bitcoins for $225 million in the second quarter of 2026, expanding its holding to 43,000 BTC.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers just below the neutral 50 line, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) holds above its signal line, suggesting that any rebounds could still face strong overhead supply.

On the topside, initial resistance emerges at the 50-day EMA around $66,015, with a subsequent barrier at the 200-day EMA near $77,159; a break would be needed to ease broader bearish pressure.

BTC/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, the main support sits around the $60,000 zone, reinforced by both the prior horizontal floor and an upward-sloping trendline, and a clear drop below this area would expose the pair to deeper declines in the coming sessions.

Worldcoin and Uniswap rebound to the upsideWorldcoin is up 7% at press time on Friday, extending the 12% gains from the previous day. WLD tests the 50-day EMA at $0.4428, close to the 200-day EMA at $0.4755.

A decisive close above the moving averages could extend the recovery to the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.5640, measured over the upswing from $0.2267 to $0.7299.

The MACD and signal line ease the downward trend as the negative histogram contracts, while the RSI reaches 45 with an uptick, suggesting downside momentum is losing its aggression.

WLD/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, immediate support is seen at the 50% retracement at $0.4048, with deeper demand zones emerging near the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.2980.

Uniswap rises above $3.00 at press time on Friday, following a 14% jump the previous day. The DeFi token maintains a near-term bullish bias, with price above the 50-day EMA at $3.02 but below the 200-day EMA at $4.09, which serves as the overhead target.

The MACD rises above its signal line into positive territory, and the RSI around 62 reinforces constructive momentum, suggesting buyers retain control in the short term despite a broader downtrend.

UNI/USDT daily price chart.On the downside, the 50-day EMA at $3.02 provides immediate support, and a break back below this level would signal fading bullish pressure and expose the recent lows for a deeper correction.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.

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Table of contents

Capital is turning its back on crypto faster than it arrived earlier this year. The Santiment update on June market dynamics paints a sobering picture: Bitcoin slumped, money poured out of ETFs, AI equities grabbed speculative attention, a brief Iran scare added weekend whiplash, and Solana’s memecoin mania created chaos rather than sustainable traction. As the second half of 2026 begins, the market is left confronting a liquidity drain that few predicted at the cycle’s start.

BTC’s decline in June wasn’t just about price. The flow of capital out of spot ETFs signals that institutions and retail traders are hitting the brakes. While Bitcoin has historically rallied in the months following halvings, the current environment is different. The competing pull of AI stocks has become a real drain on risk capital that might otherwise rotate into crypto narratives. When Nvidia and other AI names offer visible earnings narratives, digital gold struggles to hold speculative attention, especially when ETF products make leaving as easy as clicking “sell.”

Liquidity Diverted, Not Destroyed The key observation from the Santiment note is that the capital isn’t evaporating entirely—it’s being redirected. Equities linked to artificial intelligence have acted as a giant sponge, absorbing flows that previously chased crypto volatility. This dynamic has been building for months, but June confirmed that crypto is no longer the only high-beta game in town for growth-focused portfolios. For traders, this means BTC and Ether rallies now need a clearer catalyst to compete with AI-driven momentum.

Meanwhile, the regulatory backdrop remains messy. Even as ETF outflows accelerate, Washington’s legislative path is far from settled. Just days before a crucial Senate vote, major banks are pushing to kill one of the most significant crypto bills in US history. That uncertainty may be discouraging new institutional allocations. If the rules stay murky, ETF flows could remain under pressure regardless of spot price action.

Solana’s Memecoin Hangover Solana’s network saw wild memecoin activity in June, but the aftermath has been more disarray than adoption. The Santiment report frames the episode as “memecoin chaos,” not a healthy ecosystem expansion. While fee generation spiked, so did congestion and user losses, which tends to push serious builders away. Tellingly, developer activity on Solana remains among the top blockchains, as recent data on developer activity this week indicates, but the path from speculative frenzy to durable infrastructure is never linear. The next few weeks will show whether the network can absorb the damage or whether the memecoin washout leaves a lasting dent in user trust.

What remains uncertain is whether July can repair the damage. ETF outflows may slow if BTC stabilizes above key support, but a genuine turnaround likely requires a macro catalyst or an AI rotation. Iran-related weekend volatility also reminded traders that geopolitical surprises haven’t gone away. For now, the H2 reset feels less like a healthy consolidation and more like a market waiting for a reason to believe again.

AUTHOR

Max delves deep into the cryptocurrency realm, with a passion for altcoins and NFTs. Convinced of crypto's transformative potential, he envisions a decentralized financial future. Max's background in the financial sector grants him unique insights into global monetary systems. In his leisure, Max embraces the thrill of adventures and is an avid sports enthusiast, finding balance and rejuvenation away from work.

The third quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest periods for crypto presales in recent years. Instead of chasing short-lived hype, investors are increasingly comparing projects based on utility, development progress, and the problems they aim to solve after launch.

AI, Layer-2 scaling, payments, and blockchain infrastructure have become the dominant themes as capital continues rotating into early-stage opportunities.

Among the projects attracting the most attention are MemeToro ($MT), Bitcoin Hyper, Little Pepe, Remittix, and Maxi Doge. Although all five remain in their presale phases, each targets a completely different segment of the crypto market.

1. MemeToro ($MT) MemeToro earns the top position because its ecosystem extends well beyond a traditional memecoin launch.

The platform combines artificial intelligence with several blockchain products, including automated memecoin creation, decentralized prediction markets, SocialFi participation, behavioral finance, and staking. Rather than relying on a single feature, the ecosystem is designed around continuous user engagement.

Its AI Agent remains the project’s biggest differentiator.

Instead of requiring manual developer launches, the system continuously analyzes online discussions, market narratives, cultural trends, and community activity before autonomously supporting fair no-code token launches.

That automation is paired with decentralized prediction markets covering cryptocurrencies, politics, sports, entertainment, and global events, allowing users to participate using both $MT and BNB.

For investors looking beyond launch-day speculation, the combination of AI utility and multiple ecosystem products has helped keep MemeToro near the top of many Q3 watchlists.

2. Bitcoin Hyper Bitcoin Hyper approaches the market from an infrastructure perspective.

The Layer-2 project has already raised more than $32.9 million, making it one of the largest crypto presales currently underway. Its token is priced at $0.01368, while development focuses on improving Bitcoin scalability without abandoning the network’s security model.

Rather than competing with AI-focused ecosystems, Bitcoin Hyper appeals to investors who believe Bitcoin’s long-term growth depends on faster and more efficient Layer-2 infrastructure.

Its strong fundraising reflects continued demand for Bitcoin-focused blockchain expansion.

3. Little Pepe Little Pepe combines meme culture with Ethereum Layer-2 technology.

The project has attracted more than $28.29 million during its presale, with tokens currently priced at $0.0022 as fundraising enters its final stages.

Instead of focusing exclusively on branding, the project aims to provide a dedicated Layer-2 environment for meme-related blockchain activity.

That combination of infrastructure and community engagement has helped Little Pepe remain one of the strongest-performing meme-focused presales this year.

4. Remittix Remittix targets an entirely different market.

Rather than AI or Layer-2 development, the project focuses on cross-border payments, allowing users to move between fiat currencies and cryptocurrency through a decentralized framework.

The presale has already entered its distribution phase, with early participants now able to register for the upcoming RTX token airdrop. Investors are also watching closely as the project prepares to announce its official launch price within the coming days.

For investors interested in payment infrastructure instead of AI applications, Remittix offers a very different investment thesis.

5. Maxi Doge Maxi Doge rounds out the list with a community-driven approach.

The project has raised more than $4.8 million, combining meme branding with staking incentives that currently advertise rewards of up to 65% APY through its smart contract system.

Rather than emphasizing infrastructure or artificial intelligence, Maxi Doge focuses on community participation and passive reward mechanisms.

Its simpler strategy has continued attracting investors looking for high-yield opportunities within the meme sector.

Why MemeToro Still Offers an Earlier Entry Unlike several projects on this list that are approaching their final fundraising milestones, MemeToro remains earlier in its development cycle.

The project is currently progressing through Stage 3, where $44,914.54 has already been raised toward its $80,644.11 target. The current presale price is $0.00154 per $MT, with pricing scheduled to increase as future milestones are completed.

The token has a fixed supply of 1.2 billion, with 71% allocated directly to public participants. Investors can join the presale through the official MemeToro portal using BNB, ETH, USDT, USDC, or a bank card.

More Information on MemeToro ($MT) Presale Here:

Website: https://memetoro.com/

X: https://x.com/memetoro_mt

Telegram: https://t.me/memetoro_mt

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Renowned investor Ross Gerber on Wednesday attributed Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO: BTC) ongoing slump to President Donald Trump’s profits from cryptocurrency businesses

Gerber Comments On ‘Grift’Gerber reacted to Trump’s disclosure that he earned over $1 billion in his first year as president through cryptocurrency ventures, which include World Liberty Financial and the Official Trump (CRYPTO: TRUMP) memecoin.

The CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management said that the “grift is real,” and the main reason why “Bitcoin went down and isn’t going anywhere.”

‘The Most Corrupt President’Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, one of the loudest critics of Trump’s business activities and his family deals, called him the “most corrupt president in American history.”

The Big Uproar Over Trump’s Crypto GainsTrump’s disclosures have created a stir, sparking allegations of conflicts of interest and misuse of his position.

The windfall included over $635 million in royalties collected from the TRUMP memecoin. Meanwhile, people who bought it have lost 97% of their money from the highest price.

A White House spokesperson told Benzinga that all actions by the Trump administration are taken in the “best interest of the American people,” while rejecting any suggestions of “conflict of interest.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pushed for stronger cryptocurrency legislation to prevent Trump and his family from profiting off cryptocurrency. 

When asked to comment on his cryptocurrency riches, Trump said that the investments are handled by institutions with which he has no direct communication. He added that he has "a lot" of money, which he gives to institutions that then determine how it is allocated.

Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $60,090.98, up 2.43% in the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

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