Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Hits $118,000 All-Time High on Surging ETF Inflows and Institutional Demand as Ethereum ETFs Outperform with $2.4B Inflows in Six Days

Bitcoin climbed to an all-time high above $118,000 in July 2025, driven by sustained institutional demand and advocacy from industry leaders. Prominent figures such as MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele reinforced a “never too late” narrative, emphasizing Bitcoin’s enduring value proposition amid record price levels. Institutional participation has accelerated, with major ETFs capturing significant capital inflows. While Bitcoin ETFs saw $226.61 million in new assets on July 24, Ethereum ETFs outperformed them, securing $231.23 million on the same day. Over six trading days, Ethereum ETFs attracted $2.4 billion in inflows, tripling Bitcoin’s $827.6 million. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) became a standout, accumulating 1 million ETH in 10 days to reach $10.22 billion in assets under management, marking the third-fastest ETF to reach $10 billion [3]. Analysts note Ethereum ETFs now hold 5.6 million ETH, representing 5% of its market cap, up from 3.5 million in May [9].

Corporate adoption of Bitcoin also gained momentum. Volcon Inc. acquired 3,183 Bitcoin at an average price of $117,697 each, signaling a strategic bet rather than a hedging move [4]. Simultaneously, stablecoin adoption by institutions reached record levels, offering further bullish signals for the crypto market [5]. Open interest in Bitcoin surged, reflecting heightened volatility and speculative activity [1]. Despite Ethereum’s short-term dominance, Bitcoin’s role as a scarcity-driven asset remains central to institutional portfolios. With global M2 money supply rising, Bitcoin’s capped supply continues to attract investors seeking protection against currency devaluation [6].

The interplay between Bitcoin and Ethereum highlights evolving institutional preferences. While Ethereum’s utility in ETFs has driven recent inflows, Bitcoin’s narrative as a store of value persists. Analysts caution that Ethereum ETFs remain underweight relative to its market capitalization, requiring an additional $7–8 billion in inflows to balance exposure [9]. Regulatory clarity and macroeconomic conditions will likely shape the market’s trajectory. Citigroup forecasts a base-case scenario where Bitcoin reaches $135,000 by year-end 2025, fueled by sustained demand for U.S. spot Bitcoin products [8].

Institutional support is further evident in corporate acquisitions and ETF growth, blurring the lines between traditional finance and digital assets. As the crypto ecosystem matures, traditional investors increasingly treat Bitcoin and Ethereum as strategic allocations.

Sources:

[1] [Bitcoin Open Interest Surges](https://blockchain.news/flashnews/bitcoin-btc-open-interest-surges-traders-should-brace-for-increased-volatility)

[2] [Ethereum ETFs Outperform Bitcoin](https://cryptoslate.com/ethereum-etfs-soar-past-bitcoin-in-new-flows-as-institutional-focus-shifts/)

[3] [BlackRock ETHA Growth](https://cryptoslate.com/ethereum-etfs-soar-past-bitcoin-in-new-flows-as-institutional-focus-shifts/)

[4] [Volcon’s Bitcoin Acquisition](https://m.economictimes.com/crypto-news-today-live-25-jul-2025/liveblog/122889124.cms)

[5] [Stablecoin Adoption](https://blockchain.news/flashnews/institutional-stablecoin-adoption-surges-bullish-signal-for-crypto-markets-in-2025)

[6] [Bitcoin as Inflation Hedge](https://coinunited.io/learn/en/opinions-and-insights/crypto-gold-rush-are-you-prepared-for-the-coming-millionaire-maker)

[8] [Citi’s $135k Forecast](https://cryptoadventure.com/citis-bullish-bitcoin-outlook-135000-by-2025s-end)

[9] [Ethereum ETF Underweight](https://cryptoslate.com/ethereum-etfs-soar-past-bitcoin-in-new-flows-as-institutional-focus-shifts/)