Bitcoin News Today: Institutions Buy Crypto Stocks as Bitcoin Bear Bets Surge

As Bitcoin tumbles toward $80,000, investors are rapidly pivoting toward bearish strategies in the options market, with put options dominating trading activity and signaling a sharp reversal from earlier bullish bets. Data from Deribit shows the $80,000 put option has become the most popular trade, with over $2 billion in open interest, surpassing the previously dominant $140,000 call. This shift reflects a broader market sentiment where traders are hedging against further declines after Bitcoin's worst monthly performance since the 2022 crypto collapse.

The selloff has erased roughly $1–1.2 trillion in market value since early October, according to CoinGecko data, as macroeconomic concerns and leveraged trading unwind. ETF outflows have accelerated the decline, with U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs seeing $3.8 billion in redemptions in November alone. Meanwhile, institutional players like Ark Invest have continued buying crypto equities, adding $38.7 million in Coinbase, Bitmine Immersion Technologies, and Circle Internet Group shares on Thursday. This contrasts with broader market weakness, where the CoinDesk 20 Index fell over 4.7% on the same day.

Options positioning underscores the bearish turn. The $85,000 put previously led the market before being overtaken by the $80,000 strike. Deribit's Chief Commercial Officer, Jean-David Pequignot, noted that "downside fears are justified in the short term," with front-end implied volatility near 50% and a heavy put skew for protection. Analysts warn that leveraged positions and forced liquidations are amplifying the downturn, with over $19 billion in leveraged losses recorded in October.

Amid the turmoil, new projects are emerging to capitalize on shifting dynamics. Bitcoin Munari launched a presale at $0.10, targeting a January 2026 Solana deployment amid a market reset. The project's fixed-supply model and multi-stage roadmap appeal to investors seeking stability during volatile periods. Similarly, HashStaking has enhanced transparency in its staking infrastructure to attract users prioritizing predictable yields over speculative trading.

Market participants remain divided on the long-term outlook. Binance's Richard Teng called the pullback a "healthy consolidation", while contrarians like Peter Brandt argue the selloff is necessary for future growth. However, technical indicators show extreme bearish sentiment, with Bitcoin's Fear & Greed Index near 15 and a 23% drop from October highs. Citi analysts note ETF average purchase prices cluster at critical support levels, including $80,000. Continued ETF outflows, macroeconomic catalysts, and on-chain metrics will shape the trajectory. For now, the options market remains a barometer of caution, with traders bracing for further volatility.