Several key Bitcoin metrics are beginning to exhibit bullish action once again alongside the renewed upward traction in the asset’s price. With this kind of trend that points to growing momentum, the crypto king appears to be gearing up for a pivotal shift driven by newfound appetite from investors.

A Key Market Shift Unfolding For Bitcoin

Bitcoin has experienced a rebound as the crypto landscape turns bullish again, sending its price back above the $90,000 mark. Following the bounce on Wednesday, the BTC market appears to have reached a critical junction as it hints at an impending shift in the current trend.

Delving into the market performance, Darkfost, an author at CryptoQuant and market expert, has outlined the key driver behind the unfolding shift. In the research shared on the X platform, the expert revealed that the market today is heavily driven by derivatives. In addition to the derivatives-driven market, 2025 has been the most speculative year Bitcoin has ever seen in its existence.

Another key driver highlighted by the market expert is the actions of investors in the United States and the renewed demand at the institutional level. Darkfost’s research hinges on a critical Bitcoin metric, one that shows the average evolution of the Coinbase Premium Gap in the monthly timeframe and the Spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) netflows.

Specifically, this metric is the Bitcoin ETF – Netflow USD Vs. Coinbase Premium. It is worth noting that the Coinbase Premium Gap calculates the pricing difference between Coinbase Pro and Binance. This helps illustrate the behavior of different groups of investors. While Coinbase Pro is typically used by institutions and whales, Binance, which has the largest volume, is available to everyone.

The Coinbase Premium Gap decreased from +$109 to -$40 since October 16, when Bitcoin was valued at almost $113,000. Such a drop suggests that institutional investors sharply decreased their positions. 

BTC ETFs Netflows Impact On The Market

Interestingly, the trend was also observed in ETF netflows, which also flipped negative. During the period, BTC fell from $113,000 to $80,000, reflecting how much the US and institutional demand influence the market. 

As seen in the past, large negative swings have frequently indicated market bottoms, provided that the trend thereafter begins to turn. A trend of this kind is what is playing out in the market today.

However, current data reveals that the Coinbase Premium Gap has bounced back to -$13 while the average ETF netflow is valued at around -$100 million. This comeback in both sectors indicates that in the near term, the situation seems to be improving, and BTC’s price is reacting appropriately to the crucial shift. 

As a result, Darkfost predicts that a new all-time high for BTC may happen quickly if this pattern continues in the long run. The ongoing shift may be subtle, but it is noticeable as the market appears to be preparing for a phase that might largely change the course of Bitcoin.

Even with its price facing volatility, XRP, one of the top 5 crypto assets by market cap, is still gaining recognition around the world. XRP is currently picking up pace at a significant rate in regions such as Asia, and large companies are starting to adopt the leading altcoin in order to create a treasury reserve backed by the token.

Japan-Listed Firm Goes Crypto With XRP Treasury

As a leading asset in the cryptocurrency and financial landscape, XRP is making notable inroads into the Asian region. A publicly traded corporation in Japan has chosen to include the token directly on its balance sheet, causing a new uproar in the country’s corporate sector.

Specifically, this move, which has sent ripples throughout the community, is being carried out by AltPlus, a company that focuses on the design, creation, and running of mobile and social games. The Japanese company has decided to engage with the altcoin by including it in its official treasury strategy, bolstering the XRP Treasury initiative.

In the report shared by BankXRP, a crypto and DeFi enthusiast, outlined that the token is now officially part of the corporate strategy of AltPlus, marking its shift into the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape. This move reflects an act of conviction among institutional investors in an environment where the majority of corporations still keep a wary eye on digital assets.

According to the pundit, the move was revealed in the company’s new shareholder filing. This new document confirms that the firm will purchase and hold XRP alongside Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, as a strategic asset. AltPlus aims at acquiring value in the long run, diversification, and staking-based income.

The filing details a complete transition of AltPlus into digital assets as the company expands into crypto operations. In this way, the firm is improving its balance sheet and navigating Web3 connections across its gaming and Internet Protocol (IP) ecosystem.

A Huge Wave Of Capital Flowing Into The Asset

While the crypto market is slowly recovering, several major assets witnessed a massive wave of capital, with XRP being among the leaders in inflows. A significant inflow into the altcoin reflects the growing conviction among retail and institutional investors.

Data from CoinShares disclosed by Coin Bureau on X shows that the altcoin pulled in capital worth $289 million in a week, which marks one of its biggest yet. The large inflow coincides with an improvement in investors’ sentiment toward the token, driven by strategic advancements in the larger ecosystem and expanding usefulness throughout international payment corridors.

Meanwhile, the total net inflows for digital asset Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) recorded in a week were more than $1 billion, signaling intensifying market interest. As more liquidity pours into digital assets, on-chain activity and market depth seem to be rising dramatically.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

People and technology are more interconnected than ever before, and with that, we’ve seen an acute need for cyber security. Data breaches have reached unprecedented levels and seem to have no end in sight. Private business data, employee data, and consumer data are now scattered about the dark web; for sale or liable to be used for unscrupulous and unintended purposes.

In 2022, the global cost of cyber crime reached $8.4 trillion. In 2023, that number is expected to surpass the 11 trillion dollar mark. Adequate cyber security is indispensable for the continued advancement of the global economy and for continuous individual well-being. Focusing on breach prevention is essential.

Because of cyber security’s far-reaching implications, cyber security will be an important growth area across the next decade. If you are a retail investor, that’s why investing in a cyber security fund might make sense for you. While individual stocks can be volatile, investing in a basket of cyber security ETFs could provide stability. Cyber security ETFs represent an efficient and effective way to get investment portfolio exposure to this booming sector.

What is a cyber security ETF?  

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are investment products that track a sector, commodity or index. An ETF consists of an assortment of investments, such as stocks, bonds and commodities. A cyber security ETF will include stocks belonging to companies within the cyber security industry.

Cyber security ETF selection: Insights

In choosing a cyber security ETF, consider the following:

• Consider exploring a fund’s Morningstar Category and actual holdings for a clear understanding of exactly what you’re potentially buying. ETFs that appear similar on the surface may actually be quite different from one another.
• Costs matter. The best index funds and ETFs often retain the lowest expenses. A low expense ratio commonly translates to higher performance levels over time.
• Ask yourself the following three questions ahead of selecting a cyber security ETF: ‘What exposure does this ETF have?’ ‘How effectively does this cyber security ETF deliver this exposure?’ and ‘What does accessing this ETF look like?’
• Investigate whether or not there are extended lengths of time during which the ETF outperforms or underperforms an index. This could provide either positive or negative signals, depending on the root causes of results.
• See if there is a reasonable trading volume.
• Also be sure to review a fund’s track record. Has the ETF succeeded in gathering assets? In the event that an ETF has fewer than $20 million under management, it may eventually be closed by its sponsor.

Cyber security ETF examples

1. First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF. This ETF consists of 35 different cyber security company stocks. The fund retains nearly $5.6 billion in assets under management, and represents the largest pure-play ETF in this segment of the tech sector.

The First Trust cyber security offering is one of the longest-tenured ETFs globally, with an inception date in 2015. Since the fund’s creation, shares of the fund have more than doubled.

2. Global X Cybersecurity ETF. A comparatively new fund, the Global X cyber security ETF was launched in 2019. The fund quickly attracted over $1.1 billion in investor funds, and has shown better performance than the First Trust NASDAQ fund.

3. ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF. This ETF has amassed $1.9 billion in assets and consists of 62 different stocks. This translates to less portfolio concentration of top brands in the industry, and a greater focus on smaller companies and international investments.

4. iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF. This ETF is composed of 52 different cyber security stocks and includes stocks belonging to other tech companies that participate in the cyber security space. Beyond that, this ETF includes cloud computing firms that are in security-adjacent areas.

In summary

As part of a long-term investment strategy, selecting top cyber security ETFs can be a smart choice. They can serve as the basis of a well-diversified portfolio.

A quick reminder: All investors should perform their own diligence, assess their own risk tolerance, invest responsibly, and ensure that investments align with financial goals. This article is not an endorsement of any specific investment strategies or cyber security ETFs.

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