Bitcoin Hits 5-Week High

Bitcoin climbed toward $66,000 in late July, reaching its highest level in five weeks, as renewed inflows into US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs signaled improving institutional sentiment despite heightened geopolitical risks. The 13 spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $75.7 million last week, marking a second consecutive week of gains after nearly two months of persistent outflows and reinforcing hopes that the cryptocurrency may be finding a floor. The increase came even as renewed US-Iran hostilities fueled inflation concerns, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates higher for longer. Meanwhile, investors looked ahead to potential regulatory support from the proposed US Clarity Act, while Strategy's continued pause in Bitcoin purchases and focus on preserving liquidity tempered broader optimism.

Bitcoin fell toward $62,000 in mid-July, giving back part of its earlier-month rebound as escalating tensions between the US and Iran dampened risk sentiment. The US and Iran exchanged strikes over the weekend, pushing Brent crude above $79 per barrel and raising fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, reigniting inflation concerns. At the same time, investors remained cautious ahead of this week's US consumer inflation report and testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, as a stronger-than-expected CPI reading could reinforce expectations of further Fed tightening. Still, the decline was partly offset by institutional buying, with US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recording net inflows of $197.4 million last week, ending a nine-week streak of outflows.

Bitcoin dropped to as low as $57,700 in early July, hitting its lowest level since September 2024, leaving it down more than 50% from the record high reached last October. The cryptocurrency remained under pressure as hawkish signals from Federal Reserve officials reinforced expectations of higher US interest rates, boosting the dollar and reducing the appeal of non-yielding assets such as Bitcoin. Investor sentiment also weakened after US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than $4 billion in net outflows in June, the largest monthly withdrawal since their launch. Additional pressure came from renewed concerns over Strategy Inc.'s financing overhaul, which raised the possibility that one of Bitcoin's biggest corporate holders could prioritize balance-sheet management over continued accumulation. Bitcoin also slipped below its 200-week moving average for the first time in three years, a technical signal often associated with prolonged bear markets.