Bitcoin News Today: Institutions Drive Crypto Resilience Amid Macro Turbulence

Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced significant price fluctuations this week as major options expiries and macroeconomic uncertainty reshaped market sentiment. The $17 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options set to expire on Deribit on Oct. 31 became a focal point for traders, compounding volatility already driven by Federal Reserve policy signals and geopolitical tensions, according to a Phemex report (a Phemex report). Meanwhile, institutional demand for crypto-backed products continued to surge, with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recording record inflows despite the broader market's turbulence, according to an FXStreet article (an FXStreet article).

Bitcoin's price hovered near $114,000 as bulls defended key support levels, stabilizing above the 50-day EMA at $113,406, the FXStreet article noted. The cryptocurrency rebounded after being rejected near $116,500 earlier this week, with technical indicators like the MACD reinforcing the uptrend. Ethereum, meanwhile, climbed 5.2% to $4,160, fueled by a $9.6 billion net inflow into U.S. spot ETH ETFs in Q3 2025, surpassing Bitcoin's ETF performance, according to a TradingView note (a TradingView note). The altcoin's price action above $4,000 has reignited bullish optimism, with Fibonacci analysis suggesting potential targets as high as $16,077.

Institutional adoption remained a key driver. ZOOZ Strategy Ltd., the first dual-listed company on Nasdaq and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to integrate Bitcoin as a core treasury asset, added 94 BTC this week, bringing its total holdings to 1,036 Bitcoin valued at $115 million, according to a QuiverQuant release (a QuiverQuant release). CEO Jordan Fried emphasized the move as part of a broader strategy to "bridge traditional capital markets with the Bitcoin economy," positioning ZOOZ as a unique vehicle for investors seeking direct exposure to the cryptocurrency. Separately, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $149 million in net inflows on Monday, building on $446 million in weekly inflows, as reported by FXStreet.

Ethereum's ecosystem also showed resilience. Network activity increased as major firms adopted the blockchain for tokenization, the TradingView note observed, while Ethereum spot ETFs posted $134 million in inflows on Monday, pushing cumulative net inflows to $14.49 billion, the FXStreet article added. The altcoin's price action above $4,000 has strengthened its short-term outlook, with analysts eyeing a potential rebound above $4,500.

However, macroeconomic headwinds persisted. The Federal Reserve's 25-basis-point rate cut to 3.75%-4.00% was accompanied by cautionary signals, dampening risk appetite and triggering liquidations in crypto markets, the Phemex report warned. Ongoing U.S. government shutdowns and data gaps further muddied the policy outlook, while U.S.-China trade negotiations, though easing some tensions, failed to fully restore investor confidence.

Retail traders showed renewed risk appetite, as evidenced by a rebound in XRP futures open interest to $4.51 billion, up from a low of $3.49 billion in late October, per the FXStreet article. The increase suggests growing retail participation, though market watchers cautioned that macroeconomic uncertainty could reignite risk-off sentiment.

Regulatory developments added another layer of complexity. U.S. senators advanced a bipartisan crypto market structure bill aimed at clarifying digital asset regulations, the Phemex report noted, while Hong Kong and Australia tightened compliance requirements for crypto service providers. These moves highlight the sector's evolving regulatory landscape, which could impact liquidity and investor behavior.

Looking ahead, the expiration of $17 billion in BTC/ETH options on Deribit, coupled with the release of the U.S. PCE Price Index and Employment Cost Index, will likely drive further volatility, the Phemex report observed. Analysts at Phemex noted that the market's reaction to these events could determine whether the current correctionary phase gives way to a new bullish cycle.