Bitcoin Updates Today: Institutions Show Faith as Retail Investors Withdraw—Bitcoin Faces a Critical Year-End Challenge

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Bitcoin Updates Today: Institutions Show Faith as Retail Investors Withdraw—Bitcoin Faces a Critical Year-End Challenge

Bitget-RWA2025/11/19 12:04

By:Bitget-RWA

- Bitcoin stabilizes above $90,000 amid retail selling and institutional hedging as year-end volatility risks grow. - U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs face $2.6B outflows as investors shift to cash/bonds post-government shutdown. - Harvard boosts $443M IBIT stake while Wisconsin liquidates its position, highlighting institutional divergence. - Market indicators show 50% odds BTC closes 2025 below $90K, with $98K and $85K key support levels identified. - Whale accumulation of 375,000 BTC contrasts with retail capitul

Bitcoin Holds Above $90,000 as Retail Sell-Off Grows, Year-End Uncertainty Drives Downside Protection

Bitcoin (BTC) has managed to stay above $90,000 even as retail investors increase selling and institutions ramp up hedging, with the market preparing for possible turbulence due to year-end risks. The digital asset's value

hovered around $91,300

in late November 2025, The Block reports, despite dropping 25% from its October high of $126,000. U.S. spot

Bitcoin

ETFs have

experienced heavy outflows

, with more than $2.6 billion withdrawn since late October, marking their worst three-week stretch since launching in January 2024.

These outflows signal a broader move to reduce risk, as investors reallocate funds to cash, bonds, and gold after the U.S. government shutdown ended and hopes for a December Fed rate cut faded. In derivatives markets,

selling pressure has intensified

, with almost $4 billion in long positions wiped out recently.

Bitcoin Updates Today: Institutions Show Faith as Retail Investors Withdraw—Bitcoin Faces a Critical Year-End Challenge image 0

. At the same time,

activity among Bitcoin whales has picked up

, as large investors have added over 375,000

BTC

in the last month, suggesting optimism about Bitcoin's long-term outlook.

Harvard University's Endowment has

become a significant participant

in the Bitcoin market, increasing its investment in BlackRock's

iShares Bitcoin Trust

(IBIT) to $443 million, making it the endowment's largest public equity holding. This stands in contrast to other institutions, such as Wisconsin's Investment Board, which

sold off its entire $300 million IBIT holding

earlier this year. Even with the recent drop in price,

IBIT is still the leading spot Bitcoin ETF

, overseeing $75 billion in assets.

Market indicators continue to highlight the prevailing bearish sentiment.

The Bitcoin options market currently gives

a 50% chance that Bitcoin will end 2025 below $90,000, with increased demand for downside protection reflecting defensive strategies. The 30-day 25-delta put skew has

fallen to -5.3%

, indicating more aggressive hedging. Additionally,

open interest in BTC/USDT futures is at $100,000

, pointing to ongoing bearish bets even as realized losses level off.

Blockchain data shows a clear split between retail and institutional actions.

The number of wallets holding at least 1,000 BTC has climbed

to 1,384, the highest in four months, while wallets with 1 BTC or less have dropped to a yearly low of 977,420. This pattern is consistent with past cycles, where large holders accumulate during downturns and smaller investors exit in fear.

BRN Research reports that more than 31,800 BTC were recently sent

to exchanges at a loss, underscoring the capitulation among retail investors.

Despite recent volatility, analysts maintain that the market structure is still sound.

21Shares' latest cycle analysis describes

the current situation as a brief correction rather than a full market breakdown, citing improved global liquidity after the government shutdown and ongoing institutional buying of Bitcoin and

Ethereum

. The company sees a possible recovery if BTC can reclaim $100,000, with important support at $98,000 and $85,000.

The next few weeks will reveal whether institutional support can steady the market or if selling driven by fear will continue. As leverage in derivatives returns to normal and whales keep accumulating, Bitcoin's direction will depend on broader economic developments and whether long-term holders can maintain price stability amid year-end uncertainty.

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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