Bitcoin’s (BTC) price has dropped by over 2.5% over the last 24 hours to $83,400 as concerns over tariff impacts continue to sour investor sentiment.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Several factors are behind Bitcoin’s decline today, including:

  • Sluggish institutional demand as spot Bitcoin ETF flows turn negative.

  • Bullish momentum stalls.

  • Low whale accumulation.

  • BTC price rejection at key trendlines.

Negative spot Bitcoin ETF flows return

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a significant driver of institutional interest, but recent data suggest the demand is waning.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a total of $964 million in net outflows between March 28 and April 15, according to data from Farside Investors. The strong selling pressure began at the end of March, as global trade tensions increased and fears of an economic recession grew.

Negative inflows into spot BTC ETFs signal waning demand from institutional investors. This lack of fresh capital reduces buying pressure, pushing prices down as supply outpaces demand.

Spot Bitcoin ETF flows table. Source: Farside Investors

Investors are now closely monitoring spot Bitcoin ETFs as a persistent outflow trend could exacerbate the correction.

“ETF demand is cooling,” said a market intelligence firm, CryptoQuant, in an April 14 post on X.

The CEO of the onchain data provider, Ki Young Ju, said:

“When the total assets under management of spot Bitcoin ETF products experience a significant decrease, it can be considered a substantial withdrawal of institutional investors.”

Bitcoin bulls are absent

Market sentiment has shifted bearish, with bulls notably absent, according to CryptoQuant.

Its head of research, Julio Moreno, shared a chart showing that the Bull Score Index, a metric that gauges Bitcoin’s market health, has been Off (below 50) for 58 of the last 60 days.

This marks the longest streak of days with the metric in bearish territory since September 2022, when Bitcoin was firmly in a bear market.

"Bull off" suggests a decline in bullish momentum or a weakening of bullish sentiment in the market, potentially signaling a continuation of the current bearish conditions. This condition is historically associated with negative price trends. 

“Similar patterns occurred in July 2021, January 2022, and June 2022, when the Index stayed below 50 for 60 consecutive days during periods of sharp market declines.”

Bitcoin bull score index. Source: CryptoQuant

Additionally, Bitcoin accumulation by large investors remains weak.

The chart below shows whale holdings have declined by approximately 30,000 BTC over the last seven days. Their monthly accumulation rate dropped from 2.7% at the end of March to just 0.5%, its slowest pace since Feb. 20.

“This is happening in the context of US-China trade tensions as a result of US tariffs.”

Bitcoin: Total whale holdings and % monthly change. Source: CryptoQuant

This absence of bullish conviction leaves Bitcoin vulnerable to further sell-offs as speculative traders and short-term holders capitulate. Without a catalyst to reignite bullish momentum, the market struggles to find a floor, pushing prices lower.

Related: Bitcoin trader sees gold 'blow-off top' as XAU nears new $3.3K record


Moving averages cap Bitcoin’s price

BTC’s drop today is part of a prevailing downtrend that began when the price was rejected from a major resistance zone, as shown in the chart below.

Bitcoin’s latest recovery attempt was curtailed by this resistance zone, namely at the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) ($84,180) and the 200-day SMA ($87,650). 

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The next support level to watch is the $80,000 psychological level. Further down, the main area of interest lies between the $74,400 range low (from April 7) and the $76,600 low reached on March 11.

These are important levels for Bitcoin to maintain a bullish structure, according to MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe.

As earlier reported by Cointelegraph, Bitcoin’s death cross is still in play on the daily timeframe, which could further dampen hopes of a short-term rally.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.