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Big Money Dumps Bitcoin – But Is The ‘Alt‑Season’ Narrative Overblown?
Yahoo Finance· 2025-09-30 15:41
Core Insights - Digital asset investment products experienced significant withdrawals, totaling $812 million, marking the largest weekly drawdown of the year [1] - The outflows were primarily from Bitcoin and Ethereum products, while Solana and XRP saw inflows, raising questions about capital rotation towards altcoins or adjustments due to macroeconomic conditions [1][2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Economic indicators in the U.S. exceeded expectations, with durable goods orders above forecasts, leading to reduced confidence in anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, which negatively impacted risk assets including digital assets [2] - Bitcoin products faced $719 million in outflows, and Ethereum products saw $409 million leave, representing their largest weekly decline of 2025 [2][3] - Combined, Bitcoin and Ethereum accounted for nearly all net outflows, while short Bitcoin funds recorded minimal outflows of $1.2 million, indicating a pullback from exposure rather than increased bearish positioning [3] Group 2: Year-to-Date Performance - Despite last week's significant redemptions, digital asset funds have recorded $39.6 billion in inflows year-to-date, maintaining steady aggregate trading volumes even during stressful periods [4] - The recent outflows highlight the sensitivity of large-cap cryptocurrencies to changes in macroeconomic rate outlooks, particularly when expectations for monetary easing are diminished [4] Group 3: Inflows into Alternative Assets - Solana and XRP experienced notable inflows, with Solana attracting $291 million and XRP $93 million, contrasting with the broader market trend [5] - The inflows into Solana may be linked to its potential involvement in upcoming spot exchange-traded funds, with several issuers filing for Solana-based funds, leading to speculation about imminent approvals [6] - XRP's inflows are likely associated with its role in settlement and payments discussions, as well as pending applications for listed products, suggesting a more positive outlook from investors despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties [7]