Bitcoin Struggles Below $96K; Institutional Investors Boost Crypto Holdings

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Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

About Author

Arslan Butt is an experienced webinar speaker, market analyst, and content writer specializing in crypto, forex, and commodities. He provides expert insights, trading strategies, and in-depth analysis…

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Bitcoin (BTC) remains under pressure, failing to break past the $96,000 mark amid broader market uncertainties. Currently trading at $95,300, down 1.15% in the last 24 hours, Bitcoin’s sideways movement reflects investor hesitation. Despite a 56.04% surge in total crypto market trading volume to $94.67 billion, overall sentiment remains cautious.

Ethereum (ETH) has gained 2%, but other major altcoins like XRP and Solana (SOL) have dropped between 2% and 5%, mirroring BTC’s struggle. The overall cryptocurrency market capitalization dipped 0.26% to $3.18 trillion, largely due to rising U.S. inflation concerns and stagnant interest rates.

Despite these setbacks, institutional interest in Bitcoin-backed assets continues to grow, suggesting long-term optimism in digital currencies despite short-term volatility.

Institutional Investors Double Down on Bitcoin Exposure

Even as BTC consolidates, institutional confidence remains strong. Twelve U.S. states have invested $330 million in Strategy stock, a firm with the largest corporate BTC reserves. California leads the charge, with pension funds like CalSTRS and CalPERS holding a $159 million stake.

Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase has expanded its crypto portfolio, revealing $1 million in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF holdings.

The bank has invested $523,000 in the ProShares Bitcoin ETF, $290,000 in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, and $760,000 in spot Bitcoin ETFs. This move reflects Wall Street’s growing confidence in cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class.

  • 12 U.S. states invest $330M in Bitcoin-backed Strategy stock
  • JPMorgan adds $1M in BTC and Ethereum ETFs
  • Wall Street firms increasingly view crypto as a stable investment

BTC Faces Macroeconomic and Technical Hurdles

Despite institutional confidence, Bitcoin’s price outlook remains uncertain due to macroeconomic pressures. Inflation concerns and the Fed’s cautious stance on rate cuts have prevented a breakout. The Inflation Protection Act of 2025 may drive more U.S. states toward Bitcoin-backed investments, but short-term uncertainty persists.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Technical Outlook – February 18, 2025

From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin is consolidating within a symmetrical triangle pattern, signaling an imminent breakout. The 50-day EMA at $97,000 acts as resistance, capping any short-term recoveries.

From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin is consolidating within a symmetrical triangle pattern, signaling an imminent breakout. The 50-day EMA at $97,000 acts as resistance, capping any short-term recoveries.

  • Key resistance levels: $96,500, $98,500, and $100,900
  • Critical support levels: $94,100, $91,700, and $89,500
  • A breakout above $96,500 may trigger a bullish rally, while a drop below $94,100 could intensify selling pressure

BTC Bull: Earn Real Bitcoin Rewards

Missed out on Bitcoin’s early days? BTC Bull ($BTCBULL) offers a second chance to earn real BTC through automatic airdrops as BTC hits key price milestones.

This meme-powered, community-driven token has captured significant attention, raising $100K within minutes of its launch and now surpassing $2.1 M in presale funds.

The project stands out by rewarding holders with Bitcoin whenever the price of BTC reaches predefined targets. This unique approach provides a tangible incentive to participate early and stay invested.

Additionally, BTC Bull introduces a staking feature with an impressive 363% annual yield, allowing users to generate passive income while supporting the token’s growth. The presale is currently live, with tokens available at $0.00237 each.

With over $2.1 M already raised and a price increase just around the corner, now is the ideal time to secure your share of $BTCBULL and maximize potential reward

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