Bitcoin’s Sell Pressure Eases? Or Just a Bad Day?

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Institutional sell pressure is taking a coffee break, finally! But Bitcoin is still playing hide-and-seek with its 200-day trend line-where are you, 200-day trend line?

Bitcoin’s institutional backers are still wearing their “I’m Not Concerned” t-shirts, but there’s a hint of calm in the chaos. Selling pressure that dominated early in the year is now more like a yawn. Key institutional indicators show reduced distribution across major U.S. venues. Momentum hasn’t fully shifted, but stress levels are finally taking a nap.

Bitcoin Remains in Corrective Trend as Institutional Demand Fades

Analyst Darkfost, ever the drama queen, noted that when BTC hit $60k, institutional investors suddenly remembered they had a date with a yoga class. The monthly averaged Coinbase Premium Gap fell to -$96, signaling heavy disengagement from professional investors on Coinbase. It’s like watching a party where everyone’s left except the host.

Recent weakness in the Coinbase Premium Gap builds on a breakdown seen earlier this month. After sliding to a yearly low, the indicator failed to recover meaningfully and continued to trend downward. It’s the financial equivalent of a slow-motion car crash-no one wants to watch, but no one can look away.

📊 From an institutional standpoint, the backdrop remains broadly bearish, although a clear improvement has emerged in recent weeks.

➡️ As BTC moved above $60,000, the monthly averaged Coinbase Premium Gap fell to -$96, reflecting a significant disengagement from professional…

– Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc)

 

The current drop to fresh lows follows that initial decline, signaling that selling pressure on Coinbase-linked venues has not reversed but has instead deepened. Persistent negative readings suggest institutional demand has remained soft since the previous trough. Defensive positioning dominated institutional desks during that phase. Large investors stayed cautious and reduced risk during that period. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is still trading far below its 200-day moving average near $98,927. With the asset price around $67,399, the long-term trend remains weak. It’s like a toddler’s tantrum-unpredictable and exhausting.

$54B in ETF Inflows Frame Bitcoin’s Gradual Capital Rebuild

Historically, strong recoveries usually start after Bitcoin moves back above its 200-day average. That technical confirmation has not occurred. Still, recent data shows a clear improvement in flow dynamics. It’s like watching a slow cooker-nothing happens for ages, then suddenly, poof.

According to Darkfost, selling pressure from institutions is easing. Coinbase Premium Gap improved to -$23.8. However, it is still negative, which means demand is not fully back, but selling is much weaker than before. Earlier in the year, the gap was far deeper in negative territory. It’s like a recovering addict-still shaky, but not relapsing.

In addition, ETF flows have improved, with monthly average outflows dropping from $210 million to $19 million. That means large investors are no longer pulling out money at the same pace. It’s like a gym membership-no one goes, but at least they’re not quitting.

More importantly, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a daily net inflow of $88.10 million. Since launch, these ETFs have attracted $54.38 billion in total inflows. That equals about 679,670 BTC bought through ETF products. It’s like a shopping spree, but with crypto and no returns.

Darkfost argues that the structure now reflects a transition phase. Active trading activity suggests institutional participation has not disappeared. Instead, positioning appears to be shifting toward neutrality and not continued heavy selling. It’s like a breakup-no more screaming, but no promises either.

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2026-02-23 03:17