Bitcoin accumulation is gaining momentum—even amid fears of a trade war and recent price swings. Both retail and institutional investors seem undeterred by global tensions, focusing instead on Bitcoin’s long-term potential.
Bitcoin Hits New High, Then Pulls Back
On May 22, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $111,970, pushing the global crypto market cap past $3.5 trillion. However, the celebration was short-lived.
Just a day later, former President Donald Trump threatened the European Union with a 50% tariff on all imports, citing poor negotiation progress. The news triggered a wave of market panic, leading Bitcoin to dip below $107,000.
Investors Keep Buying the Dip
Despite the drop, investor confidence remains strong. Both individual and institutional buyers continued their Bitcoin accumulation.
Exchange data backs this up. According to Coinglass, the total BTC balance on centralized exchanges fell from 2.26 million BTC on April 23 to 2.15 million BTC by May 24. Major outflows came from Coinbase and Binance, which saw withdrawals of 40,772 BTC and 39,713 BTC, respectively.
This steady outflow from exchanges is often a bullish sign. It means investors are moving coins into personal wallets—usually for long-term holding rather than short-term trading.
ETF Inflows Support the Trend
Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. recorded $2.75 billion in net inflows last week—the third-highest on record. On May 22, ETFs saw their biggest daily inflow of the week: $934.7 million.
Even when Trump’s tariff threat caused market jitters, ETFs pulled in $211.7 million on May 23 alone. These numbers reflect a growing appetite for Bitcoin exposure among institutional investors.
In total, U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs now hold over $44.5 billion in assets, showing strong market belief in BTC’s future.
BTC Outlook Remains Positive
As of now, Bitcoin trades around $107,700, only 4% below its recent all-time high. With demand rising and exchange balances dropping, many analysts expect continued upward momentum.
