Bitcoin Holds Support as Ethereum ETF Inflows Rise
Bitcoin briefly fell to $76,700 after the latest inflation data before recovering towards $78,000. QCP Capital said the contained reaction suggests markets have largely priced in the prospect of a 25-basis-point rate hike. Bitcoin remains above key support at $75,000-$76,000, with resistance at $80,000-$82,000.
Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $462.7 million in net outflows during the holiday-shortened week. However, Friday’s outflow slowed to $13.2 million from $282.7 million on Thursday. Ethereum ETFs posted nearly $197 million in weekly net inflows, including $216.4 million on Friday. QCP Capital said the contrasting ETF flows point to differentiated positioning between Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Ethereum faces resistance at $2,500-$2,550, with support at $2,400-$2,425 and $2,300-$2,350. Bitcoin volatility remains subdued, although puts are moderately more expensive than calls, indicating that traders remain hedged rather than strongly directional.
Bitcoin has also shown relative resilience compared with technology and semiconductor stocks. However, higher oil prices, a potential disruption to energy supplies and weakness in artificial-intelligence equities could reduce broader risk appetite. A planned Senate procedural vote on the updated CLARITY Act may also affect crypto regulation and the long-term institutional adoption outlook.
Neutral
The market impact is neutral because the signals are mixed. Bitcoin’s quick recovery after the inflation data, its position above $75,000-$76,000 support and its resilience against technology-sector losses are constructive. Slowing Bitcoin ETF outflows may also reduce near-term selling pressure. Ethereum’s strong ETF inflows provide an additional bullish signal for ETH and suggest that capital is rotating rather than leaving crypto entirely.
However, Bitcoin still recorded substantial weekly ETF outflows, while options positioning shows continued demand for downside protection. Higher oil prices could raise inflation concerns and reinforce expectations for tighter monetary policy. A deeper decline in technology and semiconductor stocks could also trigger broader risk reduction and pressure crypto assets, as seen during previous risk-off episodes when liquidity tightened.
In the short term, traders are likely to monitor the $75,000 Bitcoin support level, the $80,000-$82,000 resistance zone and Ethereum’s $2,400-$2,550 range. A break above resistance could attract momentum traders, while a loss of support could accelerate hedging and liquidation risks. Over the longer term, progress on the CLARITY Act could reduce regulatory uncertainty and support institutional adoption, although a procedural vote would not guarantee final passage. Overall, the news supports range-bound trading with selective strength in Ethereum, rather than confirming a broad market breakout.