Markets remained volatile amid macro and geopolitical tensions
The crypto market spent the week swinging sharply as global macro events dominated sentiment. Bitcoin briefly rallied toward $74,000 early in the week before dropping back into the mid-$60,000s, with traders reacting to rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions related to the conflict involving Iran. The Fear & Greed Index also dropped into “extreme fear” territory, reflecting widespread caution among investors.
Institutional flows showed signs of stabilisation
Despite the volatility, institutional demand started to reappear. After several months of net withdrawals, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded roughly $800 million in weekly inflows, suggesting some large investors were buying the dip. Total assets across Bitcoin ETFs remained substantial, representing several percent of Bitcoin’s overall market value and reinforcing the role of these funds as a major channel for institutional participation.
Corporate accumulation and ecosystem activity continued
Major corporate buyers remained active. The firm Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) purchased about $1.28 billion worth of Bitcoin, increasing its holdings to more than 738,000 BTC, underscoring ongoing conviction among large institutional holders despite the turbulent market. At the same time, development across the ecosystem continued, with new stablecoins launched on networks like Sui and ongoing technical debates about upgrades to Ethereum and other chains.