Bitfinex

Bitcoin opened the new quarter in a familiar range, holding between $82,000 and $85,000 after a brief move above the upper end failed to stick. ETF demand weakened sharply, while selective altcoin rallies in STX, NIGHT, ENA and NEAR contrasted with softer broader market momentum.

Bitcoin investors are realizing gains after a sharp quarterly rally, but the pace of profit taking remains far below levels seen near prior market peaks. Spot ETF inflows, ether exchange outflows and resilient major tokens are keeping the near-term crypto backdrop constructive.

Bitcoin traders with leveraged bullish futures positions are focused on the $57,000 area, where a move lower could force a wave of long liquidations. Thin liquidity, heavy open interest and a fragile bear-market structure are keeping downside risk alive, even as BTC holds near $64,000 and chart watchers monitor a possible bullish reversal pattern.

Bitcoin has climbed more than 15% from its early July low and moved above $66,600 for the first time in more than a month. Market participants are watching the $68,000 area as a pivotal resistance zone while subdued volume and fading institutional activity keep the recovery fragile.

In a video shared on X, Ilya Lichtenstein reaffirmed that he acted alone in the theft of 120,000 bitcoin, dismissing speculation raised in a Netflix documentary.

Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock's head of digital assets, revealed that the asset manager has been actively engaging with pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds to provide education about the newly introduced spot bitcoin ETF products.