BTC Weak on Monday

Bitcoin is on watch this week as the futures market continues to battle to stay above the $108,855 level. The marker has proved magnetic in recent months with several tests of the level. While continuing to hold as support for now, the focus remains on an eventual upside resolution in line with the broader bull trend. However, it feels like downside pressure is building here and if we do see a sustained break of the level, the market could quickly accelerate lower as longs cut positions and momentum sellers step in.

Institutional Flows

Institutional outflows have been a major headwind for BTC prices. Following the gap higher last week, prices quickly reversed lower with selling amplified on the back of the hawkish FOMC surprise last week. Alongside this decline, BTC ETFs saw heavy selling with around $1.2 billion in net outflows last week, putting an end to the recent period of accumulation we’d seen prior to the FOMC and US/China trade deal announcement.  With institutional investors now seen accounting for around 26% of BTC ETF assets, institutional flows are having a growing impact on BTC price action and becoming a key market driver to monitor.

US Data

Looking ahead this week, traders will be watching USD moves closely. With the greenback rallying on the back of Powell’s warning last week that a December rate cut is not a done deal, downside risks are seen. If we do see a fresh USD rally this week, this could prove the catalyst for a deeper correction in BTC. The hope for bulls is that the US ADP print will heavily undershoot this week, capping the USD advance for now.

Technical Views

BTC

The failed retest of the broken bull trend line has turned the market back down onto support at the $108,855 level. With momentum studies bearish, downside risks are seen. If price breaks lower here, the $100k mark will be the next support to note. Topside, bulls need to clear $121,500 to alleviate downside risks.