Bitcoin held relatively flat at $104,640.30 on Monday, after enduring heavy losses over the weekend amid renewed U.S.–China trade friction and rising U.S. tariffs. Profit-booking from record highs—exacerbated by last week’s ETF outflows—has pressured Bitcoin, which has slid since topping $111,000 in late May.
Bitcoin’s Weekend Rout and Institutional Flows
Last week’s peak: Bitcoin briefly surged to $111,000, fueling a wave of profit-taking as prices became overextended.
ETF outflows: Exchange-traded fund data showed significant institutional selling in the final two trading days of May, amplifying the downward pressure.
Current range: Bitcoin stabilized around $104K, reflecting a broader pause after extreme volatility.
To monitor Bitcoin’s intraday movements and gauge how steep these sell-offs have been compared to past pullbacks, check the Cryptocurrency Daily API, which offers live OHLC (open, high, low, close) data and volume metrics.
Trade-War Sentiment Caps Risk Appetite
U.S.–China spat resurfaces: President Trump accused China of violating a mid-May trade deal, prompting Beijing to warn it would safeguard its interests. The breakdown in talks has dampened hopes of a swift resolution.
Tariff escalation: Trump’s announcement of raising steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% from 25% further rattled markets, provoking risk aversion that bled into crypto.
Risk-off correlation: Bitcoin’s retreat mirrored equities and other risk assets as traders repositioned into safer havens.
For a schedule of upcoming trade-policy announcements—like U.S. tariff deadlines and congressional hearings—use the Economics Calendar API, which flags events most likely to trigger market-wide volatility.
Wider Crypto Market Impact
Altcoin slump: Ethereum, Solana, and other major tokens also declined, following Bitcoin’s lead as traders booked profits across the board.
Volume contraction: Weekend trading volumes tapered off, signaling that many participants are waiting for clearer direction from macro headlines before re-entering.
By comparing Bitcoin’s weekend sell-off to prior drawdowns—such as the pullback after $100,000 in December—investors can identify if this dip is unusually deep or characteristic of a brief consolidation. Historical insights are available via the Cryptocurrency Historical Data API.
What Lies Ahead for Bitcoin?
Trade Negotiations: Any progress in U.S.–China talks could restore risk appetite and spur a crypto rebound.
Tariff Decisions: Confirmation that steel and aluminum levies remain at 50% may prolong risk aversion; a reversal could reignite buying.
ETF Flow Trends: Continued outflows may extend the bearish phase; conversely, a pivot to inflows could catalyze fresh upside.
