Bitcoin traded sideways on Saturday after falling to a seven-week low near $72,000 in the previous session, weighed down by unresolved tensions between the US and Iran.
The world's largest cryptocurrency was last trading 0.2% higher at $73,581.1 at 3:58 PM.
Bitcoin has fallen about 3% over the past seven days amid renewed military clashes and conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran, which have undermined hopes for a quick diplomatic settlement in the Middle East. Bitcoin under pressure as ETF inflows cool
The weakening occurred even as the S&P 500 recorded its ninth consecutive weekly gain, its longest streak since 2023, and Brent crude oil stabilized around $92 per barrel amid hopes for an extension of the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Market participants point to the slowdown in inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs as one of the factors behind the recent pullback. Cooling demand offset support from overall risk appetite in financial markets.
Investor caution intensified after CryptoQuant founder and CEO Ki Young Ju warned that Bitcoin's current downtrend could continue until early 2027. In a post on X (formerly Twitter, blocked in Russia), Zhu noted that historical profit-taking cycles typically resulted in approximately 18 months of declining returns for investors before a sustained recovery.
According to Zhu, the current Bitcoin bear market phase began in October 2025, when investors began taking profits accumulated during the previous rally. He argues that prices may remain under pressure until unrealized profits begin to rebound in the market.
However, not all indicators point to a protracted downturn. CryptoQuant's bull-bear cycle indicator turned positive earlier this month for the first time since 2023, while some analysts argue that Bitcoin may have already reached its cycle low earlier this year.
Meanwhile, regulatory changes remain in focus. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has again criticized the proposed Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, arguing that the legislation could create an uneven regulatory framework by allowing crypto firms to offer products resembling bank deposits without equivalent safeguards.
The bill, which would divide oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is expected to be voted on in the Senate in the coming months.
Investors are now watching to see whether ETF inflows will recover and whether regulatory clarity can help improve sentiment in the broader cryptocurrency market.
Cryptocurrency Prices Today: Most Altcoins Up
Most altcoins saw mixed performance on Friday at the end of the month.
The world's No. 2 cryptocurrency, Ethereum, rose 0.4% to $2,017.63. The world's number three cryptocurrency, XRP, rose 2.7% to $1.34.
Solana rose 1%, and Cardano gained 1.2%.
Among meme tokens, Dogecoin rose 2.2%.