Bitcoin News Today: Institutional Buyers Steer Bitcoin Through Volatile Waters

Bitcoin fell below $115,000 in early trading on Monday, signaling a broad pullback in the crypto market amid rising macroeconomic concerns and forced selling pressures. The price had previously reached an all-time high of $124,496 the week prior, marking its fourth such milestone in 2025. However, it has since retreated as traders took profits and market sentiment shifted in response to higher-than-expected U.S. wholesale inflation data, which cast doubt on the likelihood of a September Federal Reserve rate cut [1].

The decline was exacerbated by a wave of liquidations across major crypto assets. In the past 24 hours, over $530 million in long positions were sold, with $124 million in Bitcoin and $184 million in Ether liquidated, according to data from Coin Glass. This forced selling pushed Bitcoin as low as $114,706 and Ether down to $4,354.00 [1]. Meanwhile, comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted uncertainty around the administration’s plans for acquiring more Bitcoin, as he noted that the strategic Bitcoin reserve would be limited to seized assets [1].

Despite the downward move, institutional demand for Bitcoin remained strong, as major corporations continued to expand their holdings. Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed firm, added 775 BTC to its treasury for $93 million, bringing its total holdings to 18,888 BTC valued at $1.94 billion. The company now holds approximately $2.18 billion in Bitcoin, with its 0% ordinary bonds 18.67x over-collateralized by its Bitcoin position [2]. Similarly, Michael Saylor’s Strategy purchased 430 BTC for $51.4 million, raising its total holdings to 629,376 BTC, valued at $46.15 billion on average [2].

These purchases are part of a broader trend of institutional adoption, with over 200 public companies now holding Bitcoin in their treasuries. The rapid growth in corporate Bitcoin ownership underscores a fundamental shift in corporate finance, with companies increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a strategic asset class [2]. Metaplanet’s acquisition strategy has been particularly systematic, with over 20 separate transactions since July 2024, while Strategy has outlined a framework for issuing equity to fund Bitcoin acquisitions depending on its net asset value [2].

The pullback has not dented institutional confidence, as U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs continue to see strong inflows. For the week ending August 16, Bitcoin ETFs recorded $547 million in net inflows, while Ether ETFs saw a record $2.9 billion in net inflows—their 14th consecutive week of positive flows [1]. Investors are now turning their attention to the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium later this week for further guidance on the path of monetary policy, while also monitoring jobless claims data for signs of economic cooling [1].

Bitcoin currently trades near $116,000, with Ether up 15% for the month, despite the recent correction. Market observers suggest the pullback is a healthy consolidation rather than a sign of crisis, supported by continued institutional buying and strong ETF demand [1].

Source:

[1] Crypto Market Today (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/18/crypto-market-today.html)

[2] Bitcoin Price Slides Below $115000 As Strategy And Metaplanet Buys Additional Bitcoin (https://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/bitcoin-price-slides-below-115000-as-strategy-and-metaplanet-buys-additional-bitcoin)