• Bitcoin nears record high as ETFs see 18 straight days of net inflows

• With sector-specific risks out of the way, focus turns to interest rates

• Ether ETF demand and US elections emerge as fresh catalysts

 Bitcoin in breathing distance from all-time highs

Cryptocurrencies have been in a buoyant mood lately, supported by a wide range of factors. Bitcoin has capitalised on growing institutional demand, with the 11 US spot-Bitcoin ETFs recording 18 consecutive days of net inflows on Thursday. Meanwhile, more and more countries are joining the spot-Bitcoin ETF party as Australia and Thailand recently greenlighted such applications.

The increasing acceptance of cryptos is also evident by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) surprise decision to approve eight applications of spot-Ether ETFs. Besides that, digital coins have also benefited from their positive correlation with risk-sensitive assets as falling US Treasury yields have propelled the stock market to fresh all-time highs.

What’s next?

As the launch of spot ETFs and important upgrades like Bitcoin halving or Ethereum’s Dencun are now behind us, investors are turning their attention to how the macroeconomic backdrop will affect crypto prices moving forward. This week’s rate cuts by the ECB and BoC have fed the bulls’ appetite for a broader loosening of monetary conditions, while the latest raft of weaker-than-expected US data has opened the door for the Fed to follow suit.

In that sense, lower yields are not only positive for risky assets but are also likely to apply downward pressure on the US dollar, which has a direct negative correlation with crypto prices. Excluding macro conditions, demand for spot-Ether ETFs and the outcome of the US presidential elections have emerged as crucial catalysts.

Theoretically, introduction of ETFs in smaller cap coins would attract additional inflows in the crypto sector, but there is the risk that the overall demand is already exhausted on Bitcoin ETFs. Finally, crypto traders have locked their gaze on the US Presidential elections as Donald Trump, who is currently ahead in polls, has lately backed crypto adoption.

Can BTCUSD profoundly break above triangle?

BTCUSD has been in a steady advance from its May low of $56,480, violating the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) and trading within breathing distance from its all-time high. Although the price has temporarily breached the upper boundary of a formatted bullish triangle, its failure to extend the upside move could easily lead to a pullback.

Should buying pressures persist, Bitcoin could revisit the recent resistance of $71,960 ahead of the record high of $73,800.

On the flipside, if the price reverses lower, the recent support of $67,000 could act as the first line of defence. Further retreats could then cease at the April support of $64,500.