Cryptocurrency markets rebounded sharply last week, fueled by a wave of institutional investment into Bitcoin-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Funds tracking Bitcoin and Ether attracted over $3.2 billion in inflows, Bloomberg data show. The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the charge, securing nearly $1.5 billion — its largest weekly intake this year. Other Bitcoin-focused ETFs, including ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), also reported substantial inflows of $620 million and $574 million, respectively.
Ether products, meanwhile, posted their first net inflows since February, signaling a broader revival in digital asset markets. Bitcoin prices rallied approximately 10% last week, climbing toward $94,000, the best performance since the days following the U.S. presidential election. The resurgence came as risk assets broadly advanced, with the S&P 500 gaining 4.6% amid hopes of easing trade tensions.
“Net spot ETF inflows, which are a barometer of institutional interest in Bitcoin, have ramped up,” said eToro analyst Simon Peters. With gold hitting record highs, investors appear increasingly willing to view Bitcoin — often dubbed "digital gold" — as a credible alternative safe haven.
Uncertainty Strengthens Bitcoin's Safe-Haven Narrative
Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock (BLK), emphasized Bitcoin's growing role as an asset largely uncorrelated with U.S. tech stocks. Speaking with CNBC, Jacobs pointed to Bitcoin’s low long-term correlation with equities — between 0.2 and 0.3 — and noted its unique behavior during periods of global instability.
"Bitcoin thrives when you have more uncertainty and are looking for something that's going to behave differently," Jacobs said. He linked Bitcoin’s resilience to broader macroeconomic shifts, including geopolitical fragmentation and shifting global trade policies, trends BlackRock describes as "mega forces" reshaping the global economy.
Central banks and sovereign entities have gradually moved away from holding dollar reserves, favoring gold — and now increasingly Bitcoin — as stores of value. This structural shift, years in the making, appears to be accelerating as traditional safe havens like Treasurys face diminishing appeal due to rising government deficits and political risks.
Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick echoed this sentiment, predicting that Bitcoin will surge to $120,000 in the current quarter and possibly reach $200,000 by year-end. Economic jitters, including tariff escalations and uncertainty around Federal Reserve independence, have heightened Bitcoin’s allure as a non-traditional safe asset.
Analysts Forecast Bitcoin’s Path Toward New Record Highs
Bitcoin’s recent momentum has reignited bullish long-term forecasts. Standard Chartered sees the cryptocurrency reaching fresh record highs within months, driven by asset reallocations away from U.S. securities and robust institutional demand. ETF data already suggests a rotation from gold into Bitcoin, bolstering the digital asset’s safe-haven credentials.
Meanwhile, major investors are doubling down. Strategy (MSTR), under Michael Saylor’s leadership, announced the acquisition of an additional 15,355 bitcoins for about $1.42 billion. The company now holds over 553,000 bitcoins, valued at an average cost of roughly $68,459 per coin.
Bitcoin’s price hovered near $95,000 early Monday, while Ethereum traded just below $1,800. Analysts, however, caution that without sustained ETF inflows or a decisive breakout above $95,000, Bitcoin could consolidate or retrace toward the $85,000–$90,000 range.
Still, market sentiment appears cautiously optimistic. Several new crypto ETFs, including three XRP-focused funds from ProShares, are set to launch this week, offering further evidence that digital assets are weaving deeper into the financial mainstream.
At the more ambitious end of projections, Michael Saylor forecasted that the IBIT ETF could eventually surpass the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) to become the world’s largest fund — a claim that drew skepticism but underlines the growing confidence among crypto advocates.
As geopolitical uncertainties mount and traditional financial systems face growing strains, Bitcoin’s narrative as a digital safe haven continues to gain strength — and with it, so does investor appetite.
Considering a $1,000 investment in these companies?
Our team at Stock Investor carefully curated a list of top stocks with the potential for significant returns, suitable for beginners and seasoned investors alike who are eager to learn a trade and unearth the best stocks to buy. Though not featured in this article, these selected stocks could be game-changers in the future.For those seeking dynamic trading experiences, consider joining our Swing Trade Alerts, Option Income Alert, or our Trading Room. Take advantage of our special offer today, starting at just $1 in the first month.
Unlock the secrets of Smart Money
Explore how billionaires and institutions are influencing the market. Follow their every move with DarkOption Flow and stay updated on essential market insights. Begin your journey to informed investing today!
Education
And if you're a fan of Invest opedia, you'll appreciate what we offer at SharperTrades even more. Explore our comprehensive option trading course and technical trading course, where you can learn trading, analyze stocks, delve into chart patterns for stocks, and gain invaluable insights for making the best company investments.
Unlock Your Stock Market Edge with SharperTrades. Dive into powerful trading tools, learn a trade, and receive expert guidance. Stay up-to-date with regular market updates. Learn trading, basics of investing, and how to pick the best stocks to buy. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned investor and trader, we've got you covered. Get started for free, today!