Bitcoin defies doubts at $98K, so why are investors still cautious?

Bitcoin’s steady rise above $98K clashes with ongoing negative sentiment; the disbelief might hint at a window of opportunity.
Strong institutional ETF inflows support BTC’s momentum, but fears of another 2022-style slump remain in the background.

Even though Bitcoin [BTC] is comfortably riding above the $98K mark, investor confidence is notably shaky. It’s a strange contrast—prices rising fast, but attitudes stuck in the slow lane.

Could this disconnect be a sign that the market’s gearing up for something big? Or are these familiar red flags signaling a possible downturn, like in 2022?

With BTC’s latest push upward, it feels like psychology might be playing as big a role as technicals right now.

A Bullish Rally Clouded by Doubt

  • Recent analysis shows a clear mismatch between Bitcoin’s price action and investor mood on social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and major news outlets.
  • Despite BTC confidently staying above $98K, the 7-day average sentiment remains strongly negative.
  • Historically, such low sentiment levels have coincided with local market bottoms—often a signal for contrarian buying.
  • This continued disbelief suggests that the broader market is lagging emotionally behind the price surge.
  • While previous drops in sentiment have led to bullish reversals, the prolonged negativity of 2022 still serves as a cautionary tale.

Institutions Step In: The ETF Effect

  • A shift is clearly visible in ETF flow trends: following several weeks of net outflows, April brought a return to strong spot ETF inflows.
  • Major institutional players like BlackRock and Fidelity are leading the renewed interest.
  • Their involvement appears to have reignited Bitcoin’s momentum, helping BTC push past the $98K resistance.
  • Unlike the turbulent ETF flows seen earlier this year, the current phase shows stable, daily net inflows.
  • This steady accumulation reflects long-term conviction from big-money players.
  • Even as retail sentiment remains hesitant, institutional confidence is helping to drive the rally.

What Could Disrupt the Momentum?

  • While ETF inflows signal renewed optimism, past events remind us that caution is always warranted.
  • In 2022, enthusiasm fueled by institutional products and positive macro trends quickly collapsed due to unexpected liquidity shocks and excessive leverage.
  • Any sudden shift in market sentiment or renewed regulatory pressure could trigger rapid ETF outflows.
  • Though ETFs offer added transparency, they can’t protect Bitcoin from broader market volatility.
  • Should ETF inflows slow or reverse into redemptions, BTC might face significant sell-offs, mirroring downturns seen in earlier cycles.

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