Bitcoin News Today: ETF Turmoil and Hacks Test Bitcoin's $97K Ambition

Bitcoin's price trajectory has sparked renewed optimism, with analysts projecting potential highs of $97,000 and $168,000 by late 2025, driven by sustained demand in spot ETFs and broader market dynamics. However, recent turbulence, including a $903 million outflow from U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs, underscores the sector's volatility and the interplay between institutional flows and price action according to recent analysis.

The upward trend observed since 2024 has positioned Bitcoin within an ascending channel, with Q3 2025 marking an all-time high of $126,296. Analysts note that a 675% surge from the 2023 low of $16,000 occurred within a broadening wedge pattern, which now appears to be breaking down. A critical threshold at $80,000 looms, with bulls needing to hold above $96,000 to avoid a potential decline toward $53,489 in early 2026 according to long-term forecasts. Despite November's 20% rally from $80,000, the path to $97,000 remains contingent on overcoming bearish momentum and macroeconomic headwinds.

The ETF landscape has seen conflicting signals. While BlackRock's IBIT led a $42.8 million inflow on November 27, Fidelity's FBTC recorded a $33.3 million outflow, reflecting divergent investor strategies. This contrasts with earlier Thursday's $903 million outflow, the largest since February's tariff-driven sell-off, which analysts attribute to a "sentiment shift" amid broader market jitters. The decline coincided with Nvidia's accounts receivable concerns and a 3.15% drop in its stock, triggering a risk-off environment that dragged Bitcoin below $86,000.

Security concerns further complicated the landscape. South Korea's Upbit suffered a $36 million Solana hot wallet breach, exacerbating fears of exchange vulnerabilities. Trezor CEO Matej Zak highlighted that crypto exchanges remain "massive honeypots" for hackers, with $2.47 billion lost to hacks in the first half of 2025 alone. The incident occurred amid Upbit's parent company Dunamu's $10.3 billion acquisition by Naver, raising questions about balancing growth and security.

Amid volatility, platforms like WEEX introduced products to capitalize on idle assets. WEEX Auto Earn promises high yields with minimal barriers, allowing users to generate income from as little as 0.01 USDT. The product's emphasis on accessibility and institutional-grade security positions it as a response to market uncertainty, though its long-term viability remains untested.

The interplay of ETF flows, macroeconomic factors, and security risks paints a complex picture for Bitcoin. While cumulative ETF inflows remain robust at $57.4 billion, the $903 million outflow signals caution among institutional players. Analysts suggest that extreme fear often precedes opportunities, but timing remains critical. For now, Bitcoin's $80,000 support and the broader $97,000 price target hinge on whether bulls can stabilize the market amid regulatory scrutiny, technological threats, and shifting investor sentiment.