Bitcoin News: BTC Slides to $87K But Cautious Optimism Remains

Key Takeaways:Bitcoin drops nearly 3% amid institutional outflows and whale bets$952M pulled from crypto funds, including $460M in BTCETFs see $142M outflow, but BlackRock retains confidence in its IBITBitcoin's recent slide of nearly 3% signals cautious sentiment, but there remains a foundation of optimism as traders and institutions navigate shifting market forces. Institutional outflows, large leveraged short positions, and ETF activity are playing crucial roles in determining Bitcoin's price momentum in the final stretch of 2025.Bitcoin's Recent Price DipOn December 23, 2025, Bitcoin saw a near 3% decline, marking a notable pullback after a period of volatile trading. The drop follows $952 million in institutional withdrawals from crypto funds, including $460 million from Bitcoin alone, driven by concerns over regulatory delays and fears of further sell-offs by whales. This marks the first outflow in four weeks, signaling a shift in sentiment. The outflows have been particularly significant from Bitcoin spot ETFs, with $142 million leaving these funds on December 22. Institutional ConfidenceDespite the recent dip in BTC price and poor ETF showings, BlackRock's IBIT ETF continues to draw substantial attention, with a $6 million inflow on the same day, indicating a persistent belief in the long-term viability of Bitcoin. Blackrock also named IBIT one of the top three investment themes for 2025, placing it alongside two more traditional offerings: the iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) and the iShares Top 20 U.S. Stocks ETF (TOPT). Nate Geraci, president of the ETF Store, also remarked on X regarding this development, that “iShares [is] clearly not panicking over shorter-term etc price moves.”JPMorgan was also recently reported as considering the offering of crypto trading services for institutional clients, reflects broader institutional interest despite short-term challenges in the Bitcoin and wider crypto market. According to a Bloomberg report, JPMorgan is assessing different types of products, including spot and derivatives trading, but has not committed to launching any specific service. The decision will depend on client demand, perceived risks and whether the bank sees long-term business opportunities in the sector. Possible Altcoin RotationThe most recent outflows underscore the ongoing regulatory uncertainty in the U.S., particularly concerning Bitcoin ETFs and potential delays in ETF approvals. Despite this, Bitcoin's ETF market capitalization remains strong, totaling $114.99 billion. The rise in Solana and XRP inflows, up $111 million, suggests that some institutional players are rotating into other assets amidst Bitcoin's cooling price action. Whale Activity and Perpetual Futures TrendsA large whale has placed a $243 million leveraged short position across BTC, ETH, and SOL, signaling a bearish outlook. This has added selling pressure, as the whale funded the short by selling 255 BTC. However, the market could see a short squeeze if prices rebound, as seen in previous whale-led market corrections.Meanwhile, perpetual futures are showing increasing long positions, with open interest rising by 2% to 310,000 BTC (approximately $27 billion). The funding rate has hit 0.09%, the highest in two weeks, signaling that traders are placing larger bets on a rebound. Historically, such moves are often followed by volatile market shifts, with key price levels to watch being $87.5K as support and $93K as resistance. BTC Outlook: Key Price Levels to WatchLooking ahead, Bitcoin’s ability to hold the $87.5K support level will be pivotal. A break below this threshold could reinforce the bearish narrative driven by institutional outflows and whale maneuvers, potentially setting the stage for further declines. On the other hand, holding this level could signal a resumption of bullish momentum, especially if ETF inflows reaccelerate after the holiday season.