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Ethereum Price Drops 12% As Spot ETFs Witness Significant Net Outflows

The Ethereum price has been a joy to watch in recent weeks after initially struggling to keep pace with other large-cap cryptocurrencies. However, the past week will be a quick one to forget for the crypto market, especially the altcoin, which declined in value by over 12%.

While this price slump experienced by Ethereum has been linked to the US Federal Reserve rate cut, the recent drab performances of the spot ETH exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could also be associated. After a lengthy spell of positive inflows, investor interest in the US-based ETH ETFs seems to be losing momentum.

Spot ETH ETFs Snap 18-Day Positive Inflows Streak

According to data from SoSoValue, the US-based spot Ethereum ETFs logged a total net outflow of $75.11 million on Friday, December 20. This marked the first time the Ethereum funds would be registering back-to-back negative performances.

On Thursday, December 19, the Ethereum exchange-traded funds recorded a total net outflow of $60 million. This single-day performance put an end to the ETH ETF’s 18-day streak of positive inflows and the first negative day in December for the products.

Surprisingly, BlackRock’s Ethereum Fund (with the ticker ETHA) was the only spot ETF that recorded outflows on Friday. According to market data from SoSoValue, the ETHA exchange-traded fund posted nearly $103.7 million to close the week. 

Meanwhile, Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund (with the ticker FETH) recorded $12.95 million in net inflow on Friday. Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust (ETHE) and Mini Trust (ETH) were the only other ETFs that registered positive inflows on the day, with $7.51 million and $8.10 million, respectively.

Ethereum

These back-to-back days of negative performances saw a net $135 million flow out of the ETH exchange-traded funds in just two days in the past week. However, the crypto products finished with a weekly total net inflow — for the fourth consecutive week — of $62.73 million.

Similarly, the spot Bitcoin ETFs appear to be losing interest from investors, as most funds recorded outflows to close the past week. The crypto products registered a daily net outflow of approximately $276 million on Friday.

Ethereum Price

As of this writing, the Ethereum price stands at around $3,342, reflecting a 2.4% decline in the past 24 hours. Given their impact on the value of ETH, it might be important for the spot ETFs to return to positive inflows if the Ethereum price is to see any relief.

Ethereum

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

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Spot Bitcoin ETFs Bleed: 6,700 BTC Exit Amidst Largest Outflow In Months

Amid a wider readjusting of market expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed) for 2025, investors withdrew a record $680 million from Bitcoin ETFs on Thursday, the highest outflow in a single day since January’s approval of these investment funds.

Grayscale And Bitwise Bitcoin ETFs Experience 8% Decline 

As Bitcoin ETFs faced this outflow, the price declined, dropping another 5% to trade around $97,400 to close the week. The sell-off aligns with a general downturn in risk assets, triggered by the Fed’s updated economic projections released earlier this week. 

The US central bank now anticipates only two quarter-point rate cuts in the coming year, a significant reduction from the four cuts previously expected at its September meeting.

Notable Bitcoin ETFs, including Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust and Bitwise’s Bitcoin ETF, have experienced declines of approximately 8% since the Fed’s new guidance, while Bitcoin itself has lost about 9% in the same timeframe. 

Notably, Thursday’s outflows broke a streak of 15 consecutive days of inflows for the twelve US Bitcoin ETFs, for a net inflow of approximately $5.3 billion during this period.

After hitting a record high of just over $108,000 earlier in this week, the market’s top cryptocurrency dropped below the $100,000 level on Thursday. Prior to the recent recovery, which is just around $100,000, it fell all the way to $92,000. 

While the bearish sentiment in the markets can be attributed to the Fed’s cautious stance, it is also likely influenced by seasonal profit-taking among institutional investors of the Bitcoin ETFs. 

Analysts Warn Of Continued Crypto Sell-Off

The recent selling pressure could further strain market sentiment, as noted by Joseph Dahrieh, managing principal at Tickmill.

“This decline could weigh strongly on the cryptocurrency and broader market sentiment, particularly as Bitcoin fell below the USD 100,000 mark, indicating potential short-term volatility and downside risks,” he remarked.

The volatility has been exacerbated by massive liquidations in both long and short positions, totaling over $240 million within a 24-hour period. Antonio Di Giacomo, a senior market analyst at XS.com, commented, “The Federal Reserve’s cautious stance in signaling fewer cuts for 2025 created an atmosphere of doubt and speculation.”

Looking ahead, the sell-off in the cryptocurrency market may persist in the near term. Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, speculated that the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies could drop below $3 trillion, down from a peak of $3.7 trillion earlier this month. 

He cautioned that “a failure below $94,500 would signal a break of the uptrend of the last six weeks, while a fall below $92,000 would bring the price under the 50-day moving average. In this case, time is playing on the side of the bears.”

Bitcoin ETFs

As of this writing, Bitcoin has managed to stabilize above $97,400 as the week draws to a close, despite registering 4% losses over the previous 24 hours.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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3 Reasons Why Bitcoin ETFs Will See Explosive Growth In 2025, According To Bitwise

The Bitcoin (BTC) market has undergone a remarkable recovery this year, largely due to the increased popularity of Bitcoin ETFs. BTC reached an all-time high of $73,000 in the first quarter of the year, sparking a bullish trend that continues today, with a recent high of $104,000.

The presidential election of Donald Trump has had a huge impact on this rise especially over the past month, as he has positioned himself as the first pro-crypto President, picturing America as the “crypto capital of the world.”

Trump’s favorable position toward digital assets has infused increased optimism among investors, resulting in increased buying pressure from Bitcoin ETF providers such as BlackRock and Fidelity. Notably, the top 12 Bitcoin ETFs have emerged as the biggest BTC holders, with a combined asset value of over $100 billion. 

This figure represents one of the most successful ETF launches in financial history, with the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs now collectively owning approximately 1.1 million BTC—equivalent to about 5% of all Bitcoin in circulation. 

Bitcoin ETFs Expected To Surpass 2024 Inflows

In a recent report, crypto asset manager Bitwise outlined three key factors that suggest Bitcoin ETFs will continue to see explosive growth in 2025. Initially, it’s important to note that the first year of ETF operations is typically the slowest. 

Historical comparisons with gold ETFs launched in 2004 show a significant increase in inflows over subsequent years. For instance, gold ETFs began with $2.6 billion in their first year, followed by $5.5 billion in the second year, and progressively higher amounts in the following years. 

The firm suggests that if the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States follow a similar trajectory, 2025 could see inflows that far exceed those of 2024.

Bitcoin ETFs

Another factor contributing to potential growth is the anticipated participation of major financial wirehouses. Firms such as Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have yet to fully deploy their wealth management teams to promote Bitcoin ETFs. 

As regulatory environments become more favorable under Trump, these institutions are expected to unlock access to Bitcoin ETFs for their clients, potentially directing trillions of dollars into the crypto market.

Investors ‘Laddering Up’

Finally, Bitwise has identified a clear trend among investors known as “laddering up.” This pattern indicates that initial small contributions to Bitcoin frequently lead to increasing investments over time.

The asset manager believes that many investors who entered the Bitcoin ETF market in 2024 will double down on their investments in 2025.

The firm’s assertion that “3% is the new 1%” indicates increasing acceptance of Bitcoin as a genuine asset class, which they believe will lead investors to dedicate a larger amount of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin ETFs

At the time of writing, BTC had consolidated above $100,900 following a 7% dip to $91,000 at the start of the month. Over the previous 24 hours, the market’s biggest cryptocurrency has seen an almost 4% price increase.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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Market Reacts To Trump’s Crypto Support: Almost $10 Billion Invested In US Bitcoin ETFs

Since Donald Trump became president-elect a little more than a month ago, roughly $10 billion has flooded into US spot Bitcoin ETFs, showing growing optimism that his administration will support the cryptocurrency industry.

According to Bloomberg, a dozen funds from big issuers including BlackRock and Fidelity Investments have received around $9.9 billion in net inflows into their various Bitcoin ETFs since November 5, bringing their total assets to around $113 billion.

Trump’s Appointments Signal Shift To Pro-Crypto Regulation

Trump’s recent selections, such as a digital asset champion to lead the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the creation of a White House czar for artificial intelligence and crypto, indicate a shift toward a more friendly regulatory climate.

Notably, Trump has praised the concept of establishing a national Bitcoin reserve, which is gaining bipartisan support in Congress, with pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis at the lead. 

Bitcoin recently surpassed the $100,000 mark for the first time on December 5, trading at around $96,898 as of Monday. The cryptocurrency’s six-week winning streak is the longest since the market frenzy of 2021, but analysts remain concerned about volatility.

David Lawant, head of research at crypto premier broker FalconX, noted that a sustained push above the $100,000 milestone will most likely necessitate other positive catalysts, as BTC has struggled to recapture this level while stabilizing after the advance over the last four days. 

Bitcoin Rally Boosts MicroStrategy And Peers

Bloomberg also notes that the positive atmosphere surrounding cryptocurrencies has resulted in a substantial rebound among companies that have followed MicroStrategy’s strategy of selling convertible bonds to fund Bitcoin purchases.

MicroStrategy alone sold $6.2 billion in convertibles this year and intends to raise an additional $21 billion through fixed-income offerings. Other companies, including MARA Holdings and Core Scientific, have successfully obtained significant funds to support their Bitcoin acquisitions.

MicroStrategy’s stock, MSTR, has risen 73% since Donald Trump’s election, while MARA, Riot Platforms, and Core Scientific’s shares have increased by 63%, 33%, and 30%, respectively. 

This trend closely resembles Bitcoin’s nearly 40% growth within the same period. With a market capitalization approaching $2 trillion, Bitcoin’s recent ascent has dramatically increased MicroStrategy’s assets, which are now worth more than $41 billion.

The terms of recent crypto-related convertible deals stand out, particularly because many are structured with zero coupons, allowing investors to engage in convertible arbitrage.

Despite the high demand for these instruments, there appears to be little anxiety about prospective Bitcoin price decreases. Raj Imteaz, head of convertible and equity derivatives advisory at ICR Capital LLC, noted that larger players in the market feel compelled to issue convertibles to remain competitive. 

“If your competitor has a large war chest funded at very low coupons and you haven’t tapped the market, you’re at a competitive disadvantage,” he said. “You almost have to issue converts to stay competitive within crypto.”

Bitcoin

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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Cboe’s New Cash-Settled Bitcoin ETF Options: Could This Spark A Move Beyond $100,000?

Cboe, the derivatives exchange for digital assets and securities trading, is set to make a big addition to the crypto landscape by launching the first cash-settled index options linked to Bitcoin’s (BTC) spot price movements. Scheduled to debut on December 2, these options will be based on the Cboe Bitcoin ETF Index, which tracks a selection of US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. 

What This Means For Traders

The introduction of these options follows closely on the heels of Nasdaq’s recent listing of spot Bitcoin ETF options. This move allows US investors to utilize derivatives to speculate on or hedge against BTC’s price movements. 

Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, emphasized that reducing Bitcoin’s volatility could significantly alter investor perceptions. The availability of cash-settled options will provide institutions with effective tools to hedge their positions, potentially increasing overall market liquidity. 

This influx of options trading could also influence retail trading behavior, especially during bullish market conditions. Notably, the current surge in Bitcoin’s price, which reached an all-time high of $99,300, has been partly attributed to increased trading activity and market optimism. 

Therefore, introducing cash-settled options could further push Bitcoin over the $100,000 mark, especially given the increased buying pressure seen in recent days. 

Cboe’s options on the Bitcoin ETF Index will also enable market participants to gain exposure to spot Bitcoin ETFs and, by extension, to Bitcoin itself. The cash-settled nature of these options is said to simplify the process, as positions will be resolved in cash at expiration. 

Additionally, the options will feature a “European-style exercise,” meaning they can only be exercised on the expiration date, thus minimizing the risks associated with early assignment.

Cboe Mini Bitcoin ETF Options

In conjunction with the standard-sized index options, Cboe plans to launch Cboe Mini Bitcoin ETF Index options (Ticker: MBTX), valued at one-tenth the notional value of the standard options. 

Moreover, Cboe will also offer cash-settled FLEX options on both the standard and mini index options. FLEX options enable traders to customize key contract terms such as exercise price, exercise style, and expiration date, providing further flexibility in trading strategies and allowing for larger positions than typically permitted with standard options contracts.

Rob Hocking, Cboe’s Global Head of Product Innovation, highlighted the benefits of cash settlement and the variety of index sizes available, which are expected to attract institutional and retail participants looking to hedge or capitalize on Bitcoin’s price movements without directly holding the asset.

The exchange already lists cash-settled Bitcoin and Ether margin futures on Cboe Digital Exchange, with plans to transition these products to the Cboe Futures Exchange in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approval. 

Cboe’s BZX Equities Exchange also holds a leading position in the US market for spot crypto ETFs, having captured a majority market share of available Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Bitcoin ETF

When writing, the market’s leading cryptocurrency is trading at $99,240. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Options Surge: December 20 Call Signals BTC Price Target Of $180,000

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has officially launched options trading for its Bitcoin ETF, the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). This debut comes after the ETF received regulatory approval in January and has since attracted significant inflows.

Increased Liquidity And Reduced Volatility On The Horizon

According to Bloomberg, the introduction of options trading on the $43 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust is anticipated to reduce volatility while broadening Bitcoin’s investor base. 

Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, stated during a Bloomberg Television interview that as Bitcoin becomes more widely held, its volatility is likely to decrease. “Options will help dampen volatility, and as volatility comes down, people can take larger position sizes,” he explained.

Thorn noted that a decrease in volatility could shift investor sentiment, encouraging them to view Bitcoin as a viable asset for fundamental use cases rather than merely a speculative gamble. 

The availability of options will also enable institutions to hedge their positions more effectively, increasing liquidity and potentially impacting retail trading during bullish market conditions.

Call Options Dominate BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF On Day 1

Bloomberg ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart reported that on the first day of options trading, the total notional exposure for IBIT reached nearly $1.9 billion, spread across 354,000 contracts. 

Of these contracts, 289,000 were calls, while 65,000 were puts, resulting in a bullish call to put ratio of 4.4:1. Seyffart claimed that this overwhelming interest in call options contributed to Bitcoin hitting new all-time highs of $94,000 during Tuesday’s trading session for the market’s leading crypto.

Balchunas, on the other hand, pointed out that the majority of options contracts are bullish, especially the December 20 call option, which essentially bets that the Bitcoin price will double within a month. This means that based on current prices, investors are expecting BTC to hit a new record high of little over $180,000 by that date. 

The put/call volume ratio for BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF was “impressive,” according to Balchunas, who noted that the ratio of 0.17 indicates strong bullish sentiment compared to other ETFs, such as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) with a ratio of 1.1.

Market expert Marty Party highlighted in a social media post that options on the iShares Bitcoin Trust will settle in actual Bitcoin. This means that when an option contract is exercised, settlement will involve the delivery of Bitcoin, giving investors direct exposure to BTC price movements without the need to interact with crypto exchanges. 

Bitcoin ETF

At the time of writing, the market’s leading digital asset is trading at $91,580, up 4% in the weekly time frame after today’s bullish move to its new high. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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Market ‘Pricing In A Higher Fair Value’ For Bitcoin As Price Discovery Continues

Bitcoin (BTC) has performed remarkably over the past week, surging 30% since the November 5 US election. The flagship crypto surpassed its March all-time high (ATH), recording a new high nearly every day for the last seven days. Bitfinex analysts noted that the market remains “relatively stable” despite increased speculative activity.

Bitcoin ‘Fair Value’ Priced In At Higher Levels

Following Donald Trump’s victory last Tuesday, the crypto market has seen a massive rally, surging to a market capitalization of $3.05 trillion. Bitcoin has led the post-election bullish run with a 30% price increase, nearing the $90,000 mark earlier today.

According to Bitfinex Alpha report, the rally “highlights the positive reaction to the election outcome, with investors positioning themselves for potential economic stimulus and regulatory shifts.”

During the March highs, BTC’s realized profit volume reached its peak of $3.1 billion. Since then, realized profit volumes have gradually decreased, “reaching an equilibrium.”

As the report noted, there’s been a reset in supply and demand forces, which indicates, alongside the recent price surge, that “the market is now pricing in a higher ‘fair value’ for Bitcoin.” At the same time, the cryptocurrency continues its price discovery.

Moreover, profit-taking above $70,000 has been significantly smaller than the past instances when Bitcoin traded above this range, despite a structural increase in profit-taking.

Bitfinex analysts consider this to signal the “entry of a new wave of demand into the market,” backed up by Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) buying post-elections. Additionally, it suggests that fresh investor interest “could drive further upward momentum in the near term.”

BTC Enters ‘A New Phase’

The report highlighted record-breaking BTC ETFs’ inflows, around $2.28 billion in three days. This performance represented a significant increase from the pre-election de-risking, which saw the crypto-based investment products record their second-largest single-day outflows.

According to CoinShares data, Bitcoin ETFs closed the US election week with $1.8 billion in inflows and started this week with $1.1 billion in positive net flow. This performance displays a resurgence in demand for the flagship crypto as the market adjusts to BTC’s new price levels.

Bitfinex analysts explained that from March to August, there was significant supply and insufficient sustained buying pressure to absorb it. The recent demand surge suggests a notable shift as buying interest is “absorbing selling pressure at all-time highs and stabilizing market dynamics:

Now we appear to be entering into a new phase where the volume of profit-taking when BTC hits an all-time high is notably lower, given the amount of fresh demand entering the market post-election. This demand is helping to absorb the minor selling pressure still present, suggesting a healthier market environment and potential for further upward movement.

Meanwhile, Open Interest (OI) in Bitcoin futures and perpetual contracts reached ATH, hitting $45.43 billion. The report explains that this signals an increase in speculative activity but details that the market remains “relatively stable” since OI and BTC prices “are in equilibrium at elevated levels.”

Ultimately, Bitfinex anticipates some consolidation soon, with a potential pullback to $77,000. A correction toward this level would close BTC’s CME gap and strengthen Bitcoin’s position to climb even higher levels.

As of this writing, Bitcoin is trading at $86,225, a 5% increase in the daily timeframe.

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