By Maya Rios
Bitcoin moved sideways on Friday following a weekly decline despite continued strength in U.S. equities and calmer geopolitical sentiment. The largest cryptocurrency by market value is trading below levels seen earlier in the rally this year as demand for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds appears to have cooled.
As of 05:01 ET (09:01 GMT), Bitcoin was quoted at $73,494.9, down about 0.32% on the session. Over the past seven days the token fell roughly 3%, a pullback that was mirrored across several major altcoins including ether and solana.
The cryptocurrency’s weakness came even as the S&P 500 notched its ninth straight weekly advance - its longest run since 2023 - and Brent crude oil traded near $92 a barrel amid hopes for an extended ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Those broader risk-on forces would typically offer support for risk assets, but cryptocurrency market dynamics were a headwind this week.
ETF flows and investor positioning
Market participants have pointed to slowing inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs as a central factor behind the recent price pressure. The decline in ETF demand has partially offset the positive influence of improved appetite for risk across traditional financial markets, leaving crypto prices to trade irregularly.
Adding to caution among investors, Ki Young Ju, founder and CEO of CryptoQuant, warned that Bitcoin’s current downtrend could last into early 2027. In a post on X, Ju observed that historical profit-taking cycles typically produce about 18 months of weaker investor returns before a sustainable recovery takes hold. Ju said the present bearish phase began in October 2025, when some investors began locking in gains from the prior rally, and argued that prices may remain pressured until unrealized profits start to rebuild across the market.
Conflicting indicators
Not all measures signal an extended slump. CryptoQuant’s Bull-Bear Cycle Indicator turned positive earlier this month for the first time since 2023, and some analysts contend that Bitcoin may already have formed its cycle low earlier this year. These contrasting indicators have contributed to a mixed outlook among market participants.
Regulatory focus
Regulatory developments are another focal point for investors. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon renewed criticism of the proposed Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, arguing the legislation could create an uneven regulatory framework by allowing crypto firms to offer products that resemble bank deposits without equivalent safeguards. The bill would split oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and it is expected to face a Senate vote in the coming months.
Market participants are watching whether clarity from lawmakers and regulators will encourage ETF flows to recover and lift sentiment across the broader crypto market.
Altcoin price action
Altcoins were mixed at the end of the month. Ethereum was nearly unchanged, down 0.02% at $2,014.63. XRP rose 1.28% to $1.3201. Solana slipped 0.3%, while Cardano declined 0.54%. Among meme tokens, Dogecoin gained 0.96%.
Investors are closely monitoring whether ETF demand normalizes and whether regulatory developments provide clearer guardrails for the market. For now, a combination of softer ETF inflows, mixed on-chain indicators, and regulatory debates is keeping crypto prices in a tentative range.