Bitcoin BTC Stable at $105K Amid Fed Rate Hold and Middle East Tensions, Derivatives Indicate Caution

According to James Van Straten, Bitcoin BTC remains stable around $105,000, unaffected by the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady and ongoing Middle East conflicts, as the cryptocurrency has not traded below $100,000 for 42 days. However, derivatives data signals caution, with total open interest declining to $55.3 billion from a peak of $65.9 billion, and Bitcoin's put/call ratio rising to 1.13 due to increased put demand at $100K-$110K strikes, reflecting persistent de-risking among traders despite market stability.
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Bitcoin Price Stability Defies Macroeconomic Headwinds as Corporate Adoption Accelerates
Bitcoin (BTC) showcased remarkable resilience in Wednesday's trading session, holding steady around $105,032.28 as of 4 p.m. ET despite significant macroeconomic pressures. This price level represents a 0.16% increase from the previous day, with BTC not dipping below the critical $100,000 psychological support since May 8—a full 42 days of consolidation. The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates unchanged, as widely anticipated, was overshadowed by downward revisions in economic growth projections. According to James Van Straten, the Fed now expects 2024 GDP to rise just 1.4%, down from 1.7%, while signaling higher inflation and fewer rate cuts through 2027 in its updated dot plot. Such headwinds typically weigh on risk assets, yet Bitcoin's stability amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict—which has driven Brent crude oil prices up 1% to $77.45 and pressured global equity futures—underscores its evolving role as a hedge. European stock indexes like the FTSE fell 0.27%, and U.S. equity futures declined, yet BTC's unwavering performance highlights the cryptocurrency's decoupling from traditional market jitters, fueled by accelerating institutional inflows.
The corporate treasury narrative continues to bolster Bitcoin's fundamentals, with data cited by Van Straten revealing a surge in entities holding BTC as a reserve asset. The total count of known publicly traded holders has increased to 129, and when including private firms and sovereign entities, this figure reaches 235. This marks a gain of 27 new adopters in just 30 days, demonstrating rapid institutional accumulation. For traders, this trend provides strong underlying support, with BTC dominance rising slightly to 64.9%. The persistent demand from companies rotating into digital assets offsets potential selling pressure from short-term holders and miners, as noted in the analysis. This dynamic is crucial for maintaining the $100,000-$110,000 range, where liquidation maps from Coinglass indicate dense leverage clusters on Binance between $103,000 and $106,000, heightening the risk of volatility if prices breach these levels.
Derivatives Data Signals Caution Amid Range-Bound Trading
While Bitcoin spot prices exhibit stability, derivatives markets are flashing warning signs that traders must heed. According to Velo data, total open interest across major exchanges has declined to $55.3 billion, well below the June 11 peak of $65.9 billion, reflecting ongoing de-risking despite recent price consolidation. Deribit options flows for the June 27 expiry show Bitcoin's put/call ratio at 1.13, driven by increased put demand at $100,000-$110,000 strikes. In contrast, Ethereum (ETH) displays a more bullish tilt with a put/call ratio of 0.75 and call interest concentrated at $2,600 and $2,800. Funding rates have turned moderately positive on Binance, with BTC at +0.03% and ETH at +7.5%, but altcoins like Avalanche (AVAX) show extreme negative rates of -19.05%, indicating persistent short pressure. Bitcoin cash (BCH) funding is similarly negative at -24.39% on Bybit, while Hyperliquid (HYPE) surged to +38.67%, though this appears isolated and speculative. These metrics suggest a fragile market environment, with BTC trading in its tightest volatility window in 42 days, compressing leverage and setting the stage for potential sharp breakouts.
Technical analysis for Ethereum offers actionable insights, with ETH currently priced at $2,540.03, up 0.4% from Wednesday. After testing the 200-day exponential moving average, ETH has reclaimed its Monday range but remains below the monthly open. A decisive close above this key level could signal a move toward $2,600, providing a bullish entry point for traders. Market movements show ETH's 24-hour gain of 1.76%, outpacing BTC's 0.73%, while the ether CESR staking rate dipped 4 basis points to 2.98%. Spot ETF flows, reported by Farside Investors, add confidence with daily net inflows of $388.3 million for BTC ETFs (cumulative $46.63 billion) and $11.1 million for ETH ETFs (cumulative $3.91 billion). Upcoming events like the June 30 launch of CME's spot-quoted futures could amplify institutional participation, creating trading opportunities around support at $100,000 for BTC and resistance near $2,600 for ETH.
ETF Inflows and Macro Correlations Shape Trading Strategy
Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows continue to drive market sentiment, with total holdings now at approximately 1.22 million BTC, reinforcing institutional confidence. The correlation with traditional markets remains a focal point; for instance, U.S. 10-year Treasury rates held at 4.4%, while gold futures fell 0.58% to $3,388.20, potentially diverting capital into crypto as an alternative store of value. Stock market movements, such as the Nasdaq Composite's 0.13% gain to 19,546.27 on Wednesday, often influence crypto equities like Coinbase (COIN), which closed at $295.29 with a 16.32% increase. However, pre-market declines for crypto-linked stocks highlight the need for vigilance, especially with U.S. markets closed for Juneteenth. Traders should monitor cross-asset flows, as rising oil prices and geopolitical risks could spur safe-haven rotations into Bitcoin. With BTC's hashprice at $52.87 and total fees of 6.95 BTC, on-chain metrics support a bullish long-term outlook, but short-term caution is advised given derivatives positioning and the potential for event-driven volatility from token unlocks like Optimism's (OP) $17.34 million release on June 30.
In summary, Bitcoin's defiance of macro pressures underscores its maturing market role, with corporate adoption and ETF inflows providing solid foundations. However, derivatives caution and technical indicators suggest preparing for range breaks. Focus on key levels: $100,000 support for BTC and the 200-day EMA for ETH, while leveraging data from sources like Velo and Deribit for tactical entries. The ongoing treasury accumulation narrative, coupled with institutional flows, positions BTC for resilience, but traders must stay alert to liquidation risks and geopolitical developments.
Michaël van de Poppe
@CryptoMichNLMacro-Economics, Value Based Investing & Trading || Crypto & Bitcoin Enthusiast