Bitcoin reclaims key technical levels, Ethereum leads broader market gains

Bitcoin reclaims key technical levels, Ethereum leads broader market gains

The digital asset market displays a distinct realignment as institutional investors re-enter the space with renewed vigour. Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin advanced by 0.69 per cent to US$65,111.21, closely tracking a broader 0.77 per cent increase in the total cryptocurrency market capitalisation. While these daily gains might appear modest at first glance, the broader context reveals a significant shift in market mechanics.

For two consecutive months, heavy capital flight dominated the digital asset space, draining billions of dollars from regulated investment vehicles. Today, that prolonged bleeding has stopped. Fresh capital flows back into spot investment products, driven by a shifting macroeconomic environment that has effectively neutralised short-term rate fears.

At the core of this price stabilisation lies a decisive turnaround in institutional allocations. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States recorded a second consecutive week of positive net inflows, attracting US$273.1 million over the 14-day period. This influx ended an arduous eight-week streak of sustained outflows that had previously erased more than US$8.2 billion from institutional funds.

Data from SoSoValue highlights BlackRock and its flagship IBIT fund as the primary catalyst behind this capital recovery. When institutional entities shift from persistent distribution to aggressive accumulation, market sentiment undergoes a structural change. Retail traders often take their cues from these large-scale movements, demonstrating that institutional asset managers view current price levels as attractive entry points.

Macroeconomic conditions provided the necessary spark for this institutional pivot. Soft labour market data from July 2, 2026, combined with a cooling consumer price index reading for June, fundamentally altered expectations regarding monetary policy. Financial markets rapidly recalculated the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike at the upcoming July meeting, reducing the probability down to just six per cent.

This easing of fears of monetary tightening removed a major headwind that had suppressed risk assets throughout early summer. Investors who previously fled to safe-haven cash positions are now reallocating capital to liquid risk assets, recognising that central bankers have little justification to tighten financial conditions further in the immediate future.

The structural nature of this rally becomes even clearer when examining the leverage dynamics within derivative markets. While spot buying laid the initial foundation, a dramatic short squeeze amplified the upward trajectory. Over a single 24-hour window, total Bitcoin liquidations exploded by 561 per cent, reaching US$90.45 million. Bearish traders who aggressively bet against the market suffered heavy losses, as short positions accounted for 70 per cent of forced liquidations.

As forced buying swept through derivative exchanges, aggregate open interest simultaneously expanded by 8.09 per cent. This combination indicates that new leveraged capital entered the market alongside forced liquidations, creating a self-reinforcing mechanical drive that pushed prices through technical resistance zones.

From an analytical perspective, Bitcoin now faces a critical technical crucible. The immediate battle line centres around US$65,261, a price point that served as the firm floor during the consolidation phase in February but now acts as overhead resistance. A decisive daily closing bar above US$65,261, validated by expanding trading volume, would clear a structural path toward the Fibonacci extension level at US$67,664.

On the downside, the market remains supported by the US$64,154 weekly simple moving average. Should selling pressure resurface and break that weekly average, Bitcoin risks a deeper retracement toward the US$62,402 support zone. Everything now hinges on whether spot buyers can sustain momentum heading into late July.

While Bitcoin captures major headlines, Ethereum has quietly outperformed the market leader by posting a 1.53 per cent gain over the past 24 hours to trade at US$1,897.99. This outperformance stems directly from a powerful resurgence in demand for institutional spot funds. According to tracking data from CryptoNews, spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds in the United States registered US$105 million in net inflows during the week of July 13 to July 17, 2026.

Much like its Bitcoin counterpart, this surge marked the end of an eight-week outflow streak and delivered the strongest weekly capital inflow for Ethereum products since April. BlackRock’s ETHA fund commanded the vast majority of these purchases, driving a 73.05 per cent surge in 24-hour trading volume.

Ethereum’s upward momentum relies on more than just exchange-traded fund activity. Fundamental ecosystem metrics demonstrate accelerating adoption across major corporate and network entities. Treasury giant Bitmine expanded its balance sheet holdings to 5.78 million tokens, securing an impressive 4.8 per cent of the total circulating supply of Ethereum.

At the same time, Robinhood Chain has rapidly gained traction as a premier layer-2 network, attracting over US$141 million in bridged Ether. These parallel developments highlight a dual-engine growth model where corporate treasuries accumulate asset reserves while expanded layer-2 utility boosts underlying network activity. This combination creates a durable floor under Ethereum’s market valuation.

Technical charts reflect this fundamental strengthening across multiple timeframes. Ethereum currently trades comfortably above its 30-day simple moving average at US$1,874.91 and hovers near the 23.6 per cent Fibonacci retracement at US$1,898.91. Traders keep a close watch on the US$1,850 support level, which marks the boundary between a continued bullish structure and a potential breakdown.

If buyers preserve the US$1,850 threshold and push prices convincingly beyond US$1,900, the market will target the recent swing high of US$1,916 before attempting a broader run toward the psychological US$2,000 barrier. A failure to hold US$1,850 could rapidly trigger a decline back down toward the US$1,800 demand zone.

The crucial test for digital asset markets arrives with the Federal Reserve policy decision on July 28 and July 29, 2026. Derivative markets currently assign a 94 per cent probability to central bankers leaving benchmark interest rates unchanged. While a pause remains the baseline expectation, market participants must pay close attention to central bank guidance following the meeting.

A hawkish surprise or restrictive commentary could easily rattle investor confidence, reverse fragile exchange-traded fund capital flows, and force a severe retest of lower support levels across both Bitcoin and Ethereum.

My perspective on this market shift emphasises cautious optimism grounded in verifiable capital flows rather than speculative hype. I will continue to monitor. You should too.

 

Source: https://e27.co/bitcoin-reclaims-key-technical-levels-ethereum-leads-broader-market-gains-20260721/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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The great rotation: How AI stocks are stealing billions from crypto

The great rotation: How AI stocks are stealing billions from crypto

Financial markets constantly test the conviction of participants who refuse to accept mainstream narratives. The global financial infrastructure currently experiences a massive rotation of capital. Traditional equity markets retreat from record highs while digital assets absorb shifting liquidity.

We witness a complex interplay between geopolitical relief, central bank policies, and institutional risk appetite. Investors often mistake strategic reallocation for systemic collapse. The data reveals a nuanced reality where capital simply migrates toward higher growth vectors within the broader technology and digital asset ecosystem. The system rewards those who look beyond daily volatility to see the underlying technological progress.

Yesterday, I covered how Bitcoin demonstrates remarkable resilience amid this macroeconomic turbulence. Over the past 24 hours, the leading digital asset rebounded from a low of US$63,197 to reach an intraday high of US$65,555. This price action maintains its market capitalisation securely above the US$1.3 trillion threshold. Trading activity remains incredibly robust, generating approximately US$27 billion in volume. Despite this underlying strength, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index registers a score of 20, signalling extreme fear. This metric highlights a prevailing bearish undercurrent that contradicts the short-term price resilience.

Technical analysts correctly emphasise that key macro support holds firm between US$53,000 and US$54,000. A sustained bullish continuation requires breaking above the US$74,000 psychological barrier. Institutional prediction platforms reflect this consolidation phase. Traders on Robinhood and Polymarket favour a 28 per cent to 43 per cent probability that Bitcoin will resolve the current trading session within the US$64,000 to US$66,000 range, indicating widespread market uncertainty among retail participants and institutional observers alike.

Mainstream financial media focuses heavily on the recent withdrawal of institutional capital from United States spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. These products logged their largest weekly outflow of 2026, totalling roughly US$1.44 billion. This event marks the worst week for flows this year and extends a 6-week stretch of net outflows totalling approximately US$5.9 billion. Galaxy Research data highlights a record US$6.35 billion of net outflows over a rolling 30-day window.

We must contextualise these numbers within the broader timeline. Cumulative net inflows since January 2024 remain around US$50 billion. Exchange-traded fund assets still account for less than 10 per cent of the total Bitcoin market capitalisation. The selling pressure has slowed, shrinking from roughly US$1.7 billion at the start of June to around US$300 million recently. Capital rotates into artificial intelligence equities and upcoming technology initial public offerings.

Simultaneously, altcoin exchange-traded funds quietly absorb this migrating liquidity. XRP and Solana funds attract over US$200 million in inflows, proving that institutions selectively shift risk rather than exiting the digital asset space entirely.

This rotation manifests clearly in traditional equity markets, where Wall Street stocks retreat from record highs. Megacap technology giants lead the losses, offsetting optimism from retreating crude oil prices. The Nasdaq dropped 351.33 points, falling 1.32 per cent to close at 26,166.60. The S&P 500 declined 0.37 per cent to 7,472.79. Conversely, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.29 per cent to close at 51,712.71. The technology sector faces specific headwinds.

SpaceX shares plunged 16.4 per cent, marking its biggest single-day drop, after the company announced plans to sell investment-grade bonds to fund massive artificial intelligence ambitions. Alphabet sank five per cent amid concerns about artificial intelligence talent defections to competitors such as Anthropic. Amazon fell 4.8 per cent, and Microsoft lost three per cent.

These movements illustrate the intense competition for capital within the technology sector. Investors aggressively reprice companies based on their execution of artificial intelligence and capital allocation strategies. The market rewards innovation while punishing stagnation, thereby accelerating the broader transition toward automated and intelligent economic models across all public exchanges and private markets.

Macroeconomic factors and geopolitical developments heavily influence these market dynamics. Easing international tensions restores immediate risk appetite for digital assets and traditional equities alike. Mediators recently announced that the United States and Iran agreed on a roadmap toward a final peace deal within 60 days. This diplomatic progress reduces the geopolitical risk premium, causing United States West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude prices to retreat significantly. Monetary policy creates a counterweight.

United States inflation recently reaccelerated, prompting the Federal Reserve to signal a tougher path on interest rates. Treasury yields respond accordingly. The United States two-year note climbed to 4.23 per cent, reaching its highest level since February 2025. This yield curve movement reflects continued market anticipation of Federal Reserve rate adjustments.

The hawkish tone limits aggressive upward momentum across risk assets, keeping institutional demand in a cautious phase. Asian markets track these Wall Street movements closely. Japan’s Nikkei and the Kospi previously pushed to fresh records, but traders now watch the session with caution amid regional technology profit-taking, shifting global sentiment, and evolving cross-border capital flows.

We must view these market fluctuations as a natural maturation process rather than a failure of the underlying technology or a sign of impending doom. The current outflow from Bitcoin products coincides perfectly with massive capital deployment into artificial intelligence infrastructure. Institutional investors simply optimise their portfolios to capture growth across both vectors simultaneously.

The stabilisation of weekly outflows strongly suggests that the selling wave has finally exhausted itself. A return to net-positive flows will be a powerful upside catalyst. Public markets will inevitably regain popularity among entrepreneurs and provide broader access to these transformative technologies. Those who understand the structural shifts will navigate this transition successfully.

 

 

Source: https://e27.co/the-great-rotation-how-ai-stocks-are-stealing-billions-from-crypto-20260623/

 

 

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Why institutional money is buying crypto while geopolitical risks mount

Why institutional money is buying crypto while geopolitical risks mount

Bitcoin ETFs pulled in US$272.59M in net flows while Ethereum products added US$79.25M, creating a steady bid that absorbs supply even as retail participation remains muted. This institutional backbone matters because it changes the market’s texture. Instead of volatile swings driven by sentiment alone, we now see structural buying that cushions dips and supports grinds higher.

The data confirms this pattern, showing that large wallets continue to accumulate, including one notable purchase of 35,000 ETH worth US$80M. When whales and institutions align on the buy side, the path of least resistance tilts upward, provided macro conditions do not suddenly shift.

Regulatory clarity is adding fuel to this constructive setup. SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently outlined a framework that categorises tokens into five distinct buckets, separating digital commodities, collectibles, tools, and payment tokens from those that qualify as securities.

This approach, paired with a separation doctrine that allows tokens to shed their securities status once the issuer’s obligations end, gives projects a clearer compliance roadmap. The proposed innovation exemption creates a caged environment in which qualified firms can issue and trade tokenised securities on-chain with lighter requirements, while longer-term rules take shape.

For the first time, tokenised equities, bonds, and real-world assets have a defined path to trade on public or permissioned blockchains in the United States, rather than migrate offshore. This matters because it reduces regulatory uncertainty, one of the largest overhangs on crypto valuations, and invites traditional capital to engage with on-chain markets under familiar legal guardrails.

Crypto does not trade in isolation. The market currently shows an 83 per cent correlation with the S&P 500, reflecting a shared sensitivity to interest rate expectations and liquidity conditions. Equities retreated recently as geopolitical tensions flared around the April 22, 2026, ceasefire deadline between the United States and Iran. The Dow Jones fell 292.96 points to close at 49,149.60, the S&P 500 dropped 45.09 points to 7,064.05, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 144.43 points to finish at 24,259.96.

Oil prices surged above US$90 per barrel after reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard re-closed the Strait of Hormuz, while gold tumbled 3.1 per cent following news of a ceasefire extension. These moves ripple through crypto because institutional portfolios rebalance across asset classes. When macro uncertainty rises, even crypto’s structural buyers may pause, testing the resilience of the current uptrend.

From a technical perspective, the market sits at an inflection point. The US$2.61T level represents the recent swing high and a key resistance zone. A decisive break above that mark, especially if accompanied by continued ETF inflows, would signal strong momentum and open the door to further gains.

On the downside, the US$2.48T level, corresponding to the 38.2 per cent Fibonacci retracement, acts as critical support. A close below that threshold would suggest the rally is losing steam and could trigger a deeper pullback. Given the current correlation with equities, crypto traders must monitor both ETF flow reports and macroeconomic data releases, including the US EIA Petroleum Status Report and the 20-year bond auction, for clues on near-term direction.

I see a cautiously bullish setup with clear dependencies. The institutional bid via ETFs provides a solid floor, and the emerging regulatory framework reduces one of the largest uncertainties plaguing the sector. The tight link to traditional markets means crypto remains exposed to shifts in rate expectations, geopolitical shocks, and equity volatility.

The innovation exemption, if implemented with practical flexibility, could unlock a new wave of tokenisation activity, bringing real-world assets on-chain and deepening liquidity. But execution matters. If the final rules prove too restrictive, activity may continue migrating to more permissive jurisdictions.

For now, the confluence of steady ETF demand, clearer regulatory pathways, and strategic accumulation by large holders creates a supportive environment. The question is whether this foundation can withstand macro headwinds as the market tests the US$2.61T resistance. If ETF inflows persist and equities stabilise, the path toward higher valuations remains open. If not, the US$2.48T support will be the line in the sand that determines whether this rally extends or fades.

Investors should also monitor the confirmation hearing for Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh, as monetary policy expectations continue to shape risk appetite across asset classes. The market currently prices in a high probability of a rate cut by December 2026, though persistent energy-driven inflation may complicate this path.

Singapore’s March CPI data for general households, released today, adds another layer of global macro context. These fixed income and inflation signals feed directly into the liquidity narrative that underpins both equity and crypto valuations. When yields rise, as the 10-year Treasury note did to approximately 4.30 per cent on April 21, growth-sensitive assets often face pressure. Crypto’s 83 per cent correlation with the S&P 500 means it absorbs these crosscurrents quickly.

The regulatory framework’s 5-bucket taxonomy deserves closer attention because it draws a bright line between utility-focused tokens and security-like instruments. Most layer 1 protocols, DeFi projects, and payment tokens now have a clearer path to operate without triggering securities registration, provided they meet the stated criteria.

At the same time, the SEC is building a regulated home for tokenised stocks and bonds, which could attract traditional finance players who previously stayed on the sidelines. This dual-track approach recognises that crypto is not monolithic. Some tokens function as commodities, others like software tools, and a subset behaves like equity or debt. By sorting them accordingly, policymakers reduce the blanket uncertainty that has long suppressed institutional participation.

Whale accumulation patterns reinforce the constructive technical setup. The purchase of 35,000 ETH worth US$80M signals confidence among sophisticated holders who often move ahead of broader trends. When these actors add exposure during consolidation phases, they frequently anticipate a breakout.

Combined with daily ETF inflows of US$272.59M for Bitcoin and US$79.25M for Ethereum, the market enjoys a two-layered bid: one from regulated investment vehicles and another from private large-scale buyers. This dynamic does not guarantee uninterrupted gains, but it does raise the threshold for a meaningful correction. Sellers must overcome both institutional and whale demand to push prices lower, a task that becomes harder if macro conditions remain supportive.

 

 

Source: https://e27.co/why-institutional-money-is-buying-crypto-while-geopolitical-risks-mount-20260422/

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

j j j