U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) notched a massive $817 million net outflow on Thursday, as the leading cryptocurrency’s price plummeted to a nine-month low. The exodus was led by BlackRock’s IBIT, which saw $317.81 million in redemptions—a figure higher than the combined outflows of Fidelity’s FBTC ($168.05M) and Grayscale’s GBTC ($119.44M), according to SoSoValue data. The aggressive selling followed a streak of negative catalysts that pushed Bitcoin out of its multi-week trading range, ...

Core Viewpoint - Bitcoin has reclaimed the $90,000 level, but the underlying market conditions remain fragile, with traders adopting a defensive stance [1]. Market Sentiment - There are few signs of sustained optimism in crypto derivatives markets despite Bitcoin's recent price rebound [1]. - Most bets in Bitcoin perpetual and dated futures are concentrated in short-term contracts, indicating muted demand for longer-dated futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which is a key indicator of institutional interest [2]. Research Insights - Vetle Lunde from K33 Research noted that while morale is improving, overall sentiment remains cautious and hands-off despite the recent uptrend [3]. - Spot volumes, volatility, and derivatives leverage are near pre-December lows, with 86% of open interest in front-month expiry contracts, suggesting limited bullish positioning [4]. Price Movements - Bitcoin's price dropped 6.5% to $87,648 last year and was down about 1% to $92,107 as of early Wednesday [5]. - The first few trading days of the year saw a reversal of persistent selling, with significant inflows into Bitcoin ETFs marking the strongest single-day net inflow since October 7 [5]. Future Activity - Further gains in Bitcoin could stimulate activity in CME futures contracts, as the basis trade becomes attractive again [6]. Comparative Analysis - Bitcoin's relative stagnation compared to gold and equities raises questions about its value as an asset class, with declining volatility suggesting that the best performance days for cryptoassets may be behind [7].

Core Viewpoint - Arthur Hayes maintains his prediction that Bitcoin could reach $200,000–$250,000 by the end of 2025, viewing the recent drop to $80,000 as a cycle bottom rather than the onset of a new bear market [1][2]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The recent decline in Bitcoin's price from a high of $125,000 to $80,000 is characterized as a liquidity-driven reset, influenced by significant dollar liquidity changes [2][3]. - Approximately $1 trillion has been drained from dollar money markets since July, attributed to the US Treasury's account refilling and the Federal Reserve's quantitative tightening [3]. Group 2: ETF Market Misunderstandings - The inflows into Bitcoin ETFs were misinterpreted by retail investors, who believed it indicated strong institutional support, while in reality, the largest holders were basis traders exploiting spreads [4][5]. - Major firms like Brevan Howard, Goldman Sachs, and others are involved in trading the IBIT ETF, primarily engaging in basis trading rather than long-term Bitcoin investment [5]. - As funding rates decreased, these institutional players unwound their trades, leading to negative ETF flows, which retail investors misinterpreted as institutions selling off Bitcoin [6].