According to Crypto Briefing: Bitcoin's ascent to $80,000 is primarily fueled by strong institutional demand via spot Bitcoin ETFs, marking a significant departure from previous retail-driven rallies. Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss attributes this price surge to consistent inflows from institutional investors through spot Bitcoin ETFs, rather than retail FOMO.
Record Institutional Inflows Post-Election
Following the U.S. presidential election on November 5, Bitcoin ETFs saw a sharp rise in inflows, amassing approximately $2.3 billion within three trading days. Farside Investors reports that a group of eleven spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $622 million in net inflows on Wednesday alone. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) achieved record trading volumes, with over $1 billion in net inflows on Thursday, increasing its assets under management to more than $33 billion — surpassing BlackRock’s own iShares Gold Trust.
A Classic Supply-Demand Dynamic
Institutional demand, coupled with Bitcoin’s recent halving event that restricts new supply, has created a strong supply-demand dynamic. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan suggests this combination could push Bitcoin toward six figures. He also anticipates that global monetary shifts, including China’s economic stimulus and recent interest rate cuts by the Fed and Bank of England, will further support Bitcoin’s upward trajectory.
Hougan views this “sticky” institutional demand as a sign of long-term bullish sentiment, suggesting that the current market cycle is still in its early stages, with Bitcoin positioned for continued growth.
