Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Leverage Reaches 5-Year High as ETF Inflows Surge 65.94 Million

Bitcoin’s leverage metrics have reached their highest level in five years, with the estimated futures leverage ratio 30-day change surpassing the +0.4 threshold. This development, reported by CryptoQuant, suggests a rapid influx of leveraged positions into the market as Bitcoin trades near its historical peak. Historically, this threshold has aligned with periods of increased leverage and market fragility, raising concerns about the potential for sharp price swings or sudden liquidations, particularly if funding rates remain elevated [1].

The surge in leverage coincides with a significant increase in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows. On August 12, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $65.94 million in net inflows, marking the fifth consecutive day of positive flows. BlackRock’s IBIT led the inflow with $111.4 million, while other major funds such as ARK Invest’s ARKB and Grayscale’s GBTC experienced outflows of $23.9 million and $21.6 million, respectively [1]. Over the past four trading sessions, U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs had reported cumulative inflows of $253.2 million as of August 8 [2]. These figures highlight strong institutional demand and a shift in capital toward crypto assets.

Ethereum ETFs also saw robust inflows, with $524 million in net inflows recorded over six consecutive days. BlackRock’s ETHA led Ethereum ETF inflows with $319 million in a single session. The consistent inflows indicate sustained institutional interest in both Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure. While inflows in the Bitcoin ETF market can provide support for price stability amid high leverage, outflows from certain funds point to selective capital rotation among issuers and products [1].

Bitcoin’s price has consolidated near $119,000, reflecting a balance between leveraged long positions and spot market demand. CoinMarketCap data shows the price has traded slightly below an intraday high of $119,080. Exchange inflow data from Binance reveals notable spikes in recent weeks, including days with large transfers of over 80,000 BTC. Whale and large entity inflows to exchanges have also increased, suggesting potential profit-taking or strategic repositioning [1].

Ethereum has also seen a notable rise, with its price climbing above $4,516. This increase is partly driven by record ETF inflows and strong sector performance. The elevated futures open interest and exchange inflows for both Bitcoin and Ethereum indicate active trading conditions as the market approaches mid-August [1].

The surge in Bitcoin’s price has led to a significant increase in derivatives market activity, with over $18 billion in short positions liquidated as the asset approached $122,000. This reflects the growing maturity of the crypto derivatives market and the increasing use of leveraged and speculative strategies. Institutional participation has played a key role in shaping these dynamics [5].

Looking ahead, some analysts have made bullish forecasts for Bitcoin. One analyst predicts a 70% probability that Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by the end of 2025, assuming current conditions persist. However, such forecasts are speculative and do not account for potential macroeconomic or regulatory shifts that could affect the market [6].

Strong trading volumes have underpinned the recent rally, with both retail and institutional investors contributing to increased buying interest. As the market evolves, the interplay between ETF inflows, leveraged exposure, and broader macroeconomic factors will remain key drivers of Bitcoin’s trajectory in the coming months [1].

Sources:

[1] title: Bitcoin Leverage Hits 5-Year High as ETF Inflows Surge (url: https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689c30d578c8230288c2406c/)

[2] title: Bitcoin tops $122K, edges close to record high (url: https://m.economictimes.com/markets/cryptocurrency/bitcoin-tops-122k-edges-close-to-record-high-ethereum-steadies-at-multi-year-peak-articleshow/123230864.cms)

[5] title: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP Surge: BTC Nears $120K, ETH ... (url: https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2025/08/11/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-surge-btc-nears-120k-eth-hits-4300-xrp-eyes-3-40/)

[6] title: Bitcoin Hits $122K: The Hidden Forces That Could Push It ... (url: https://www.interactivecrypto.com/bitcoin-hits-122k-the-hidden-forces-that-could-push-it-to-150k)