Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Rally Driven by Tight Supply and Institutional ETF Moves

Bitcoin’s price movements this week appear to be driven less by new demand and more by a dwindling supply of sell-side liquidity. Recent analysis from CryptoQuant shows that Bitcoin’s rally on Binance is being supported by a tightening supply environment rather than a flood of new buyers. Between March and May, strong Taker Volume spikes indicated significant liquidity inflows, particularly after Bitcoin dipped to $75K in April. However, these spikes have since decreased even as prices hit record highs, suggesting a decline in aggressive purchasing activity. Additionally, Limit Order Volume has remained subdued, indicating a lack of sellers near current price levels. This thin order book could push prices higher if supply remains tight, but it also increases the risk of sharp downward corrections if large sell orders emerge [1].

Amid these market dynamics, institutional interest in Bitcoin is growing. SEC filings for Q2 2025 reveal that Harvard University has allocated $116.6 million to BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF. This makes IBIT the university’s fifth-largest equity holding, surpassing major tech stocks like Alphabet. Despite a relatively quiet July for Bitcoin ETFs—characterized by lower inflows and a brief period where BlackRock’s Ethereum fund outperformed IBIT—Harvard’s investment signals continued institutional confidence in the asset. This move also marks the university’s only direct exposure to Web3 technology. For now, Harvard’s decision reflects a broader trend where major institutions are starting to commit capital to crypto, even amid regulatory uncertainty [1].

Meanwhile, Japan’s entry into the crypto ETF space remains delayed. Earlier reports from AMBCrypto suggested that SBI Holdings, a leading Japanese financial firm, had filed for a Bitcoin-XRP dual ETF. However, SBI Holdings has since clarified that no applications have been submitted, and the product is still in the planning phase. The firm stated that filings will only occur after regulators finalize legal revisions that classify certain crypto assets under Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. A representative of SBI Holdings emphasized that the approval of crypto ETFs in Japan is expected to align with the stances of financial and tax authorities. Without a confirmed timeline for these regulatory changes, the launch of Japan’s first crypto ETF could be months away [1].

The contrast between Harvard’s bold move and Japan’s regulatory caution highlights the diverging paths global institutions are taking with crypto. In the U.S., institutional adoption appears to be accelerating, while in Japan, regulatory clarity remains a key bottleneck. These two developments—Harvard’s ETF investment and the delayed launch of Japan’s first crypto ETF—could have significant implications for Bitcoin’s liquidity and market dynamics in the coming months. For now, the market is watching closely to see whether these institutional moves will bring greater stability or further volatility [1].

Source: [1] From Harvard to Japan! – How 2 major ETF moves could impact Bitcoin (https://ambcrypto.com/from-harvard-to-japan-how-2-major-etf-moves-could-impact-bitcoin/)