Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin ETFs Soar with $2B Inflow as Macro Woes Fuel Profit-Taking Sell-Off

Bitcoin Exchange Inflow Hits $2 Billion As Profit-Taking Phase Lingers

Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a notable inflow of $2 billion into U.S.-listed spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in recent weeks, signaling cautious optimism amid ongoing profit-taking by investors. The move follows a sharp 35% decline from the cryptocurrency's October peak of $126,300 to current levels near $82,000, as macroeconomic pressures and technical breakdowns weighed on market sentiment.

Data from SoSoValue shows that Bitcoin ETFs saw a net inflow of approximately $74 million on Wednesday, ending five consecutive days of outflows. Cumulative net inflows for the year stand at $58 billion, with total net assets reaching $117 billion. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) ETFs continued to face outflows, recording $37 million in withdrawals on Wednesday, though cumulative inflows remain at $12.84 billion.

The profit-taking phase has been a focal point for market analysts. CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju noted that Bitcoin is in a classic profit-taking cycle, with large holders locking in gains from this year's rally. "Unless macro liquidity surges, we could see further declines as sellers dominate," he said, referencing the PnL Index, which tracks average buying prices across all Bitcoin wallets. Young Ju predicted the cycle's bottom could reach $56,000, aligning with on-chain indicators showing stagnant realized capital and rising forced liquidations.

Macro factors have exacerbated the sell-off. The Federal Reserve's uncertain rate-cut trajectory and global inflationary pressures have driven risk-off sentiment, with Bitcoin breaking key support levels like $90,000 and $86,000. "The market was pricing in a Fed pivot, but stubborn inflation and a strong labor market have dashed those hopes," said Matt Williams, head of financial services at Luxor, a Bitcoin mining firm.

Institutional activity has also played a role. Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle tripled its holdings in BlackRock's IBIT ETF in Q3 2025 as Bitcoin approached record highs. However, recent outflows from IBIT, including a $500 million single-day withdrawal in November, have added downward pressure. Harvard University's endowment, which purchased 6.8 million IBIT shares in late September, remains a rare bright spot for institutional confidence.

Technical indicators reinforce the bearish trend. Bitcoin's 50-day moving average crossed below its 200-day line-a "death cross"-on November 16, triggering a 33% drop to $84,000. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has entered oversold territory, and the MACD histogram remains in negative territory, suggesting continued selling pressure. Traders are now watching support levels at $85,000 and $75,000 as critical hurdles.

Despite the near-term weakness, some analysts see potential for a rebound. "ETF inflows stabilizing could reignite a recovery toward $90,000," said one strategist, noting that cumulative inflows remain historically robust at $57.37 billion. Meanwhile, on-chain data shows that while large holders are selling, "permanent holder" wallets are quietly accumulating during the dip.