Invest ideasNews
18 May 2026, 05:52
Bitcoin falls as ETF outflows spike: can bulls save $74K now?
Bitcoin has fallen over 6% from last week’s high of $81,700 as fresh macro concerns have taken center stage. As of last check, Bitcoin has lost a key support level at $78,000 and has pushed lower in tandem with accelerating market-wide liquidations. At the same time, the crypto market sentiment tracked via the Crypto Fear and Greed Index has dropped to 28 from last week, once again entering ‘Fear’ territory after a brief return to neutral levels the previous week. Why is Bitcoin price going down? Bitcoin has come under renewed pressure due to a number of reasons that are keeping traders on edge. The sell-off accelerated over the weekend after bulls failed to defend the $80,000 psychological support level. Now, forced selling from overleveraged bullish traders is triggering automated sell orders across exchanges, leaving Bitcoin exposed as liquidity on the buy side weakened. According to CoinGlass data, total crypto liquidations climbed 42% over the last 24 hours to nearly $661 million. Crypto liquidations 24-hour. Source: Coinglass. Bitcoin positions alone accounted for more than $182 million in liquidations, with over $160 million tied to long trades that were wiped out as prices rapidly moved lower. Meanwhile, institutional flows have also started cooling after supporting Bitcoin’s recovery earlier this month. Data compiled by SoSoValue showed US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than $1 billion in net outflows last week, ending a multi-week stretch of consistent inflows. Reports surrounding ETF activity also indicated that funds collectively shed close to 13,000 BTC within several trading sessions, signaling a slowdown in institutional accumulation. Macroeconomic developments have only added to the concerns. Recent US inflation data showed consumer inflation rising to 3.8%, while producer prices climbed 6%, strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than previously anticipated. Bond markets reacted quickly to the data. US 30-year Treasury yields climbed to 5.1%, while the 10-year and 2-year yields moved to 4.6% and 4.1%, respectively. Higher yields have historically weighed on Bitcoin and other speculative assets because tighter monetary conditions reduce investor appetite for risk. At the same time, oil prices surged as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified. Brent crude climbed to around $113 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded near $110 after renewed concerns surrounding possible military escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Some market observers believe the renewed spike in crude prices has amplified inflation concerns while driving capital away from high-risk assets such as Bitcoin and toward traditional safe havens, including gold and short-term US Treasuries. Pressure on Bitcoin also intensified as the US Dollar Index moved back toward the 101 level. A stronger dollar typically tightens global liquidity conditions and tends to weigh on cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin price analysis According to the 4-hour BTC/USD price chart, Bitcoin price has now slipped below all three major short-term exponential moving averages, a sign that bearish momentum has started overpowering the recovery structure that carried the asset above $82,000 earlier this month. BTC/USD 4-hour price chart. Source: TradingView. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near $76,900 after breaking beneath the 20 EMA at $78,416, the 50 EMA at $79,274, and the 100 EMA at $79,208. Losing all three levels within a short period has weakened the short-term market structure and placed sellers back in control. Meanwhile, the 200 EMA near $77,833 is also starting to lose strength as support after Bitcoin briefly moved below it during the latest sell-off. Traders often watch the 200 EMA closely because sustained trading below that level can indicate that bullish momentum is fading on higher timeframes. The Relative Strength Index, or RSI, has also continued sliding lower. On the 4-hour chart, RSI has dropped to around 32, pushing close to oversold territory after remaining near overbought conditions earlier this month during Bitcoin’s rally toward $82,000. Falling RSI levels alongside declining price action typically point to weak buying momentum. At the same time, the indicator has not yet shown a strong bullish divergence, suggesting sellers may still have room to pressure prices lower before a meaningful relief bounce develops. Volume activity has also picked up during the recent decline, particularly around large red candles near the breakdown below $78,000. Rising sell-side volume during a support breakdown often signals panic-driven exits and forced liquidations rather than controlled profit taking. From a price structure perspective, Bitcoin now risks revisiting the $76,000 zone, which acted as a temporary intraday support during the latest liquidation cascade. If it fails to hold, traders could begin watching the $74,000 to $75,000 region next, an area where Bitcoin previously found support during late April consolidation. On the upside, Bitcoin would first need to reclaim the $78,000 level before bulls can attempt another push toward the 100 EMA and 50 EMA cluster near $79,200 to $79,300. A stronger recovery would likely require Bitcoin to move back above the $80,000 psychological level, where heavy selling pressure recently emerged. The post Bitcoin falls as ETF outflows spike: can bulls save $74K now? appeared first on Invezz
18 May 2026, 05:50
South Korea’s FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s Dunamu Stake for Banking-Commerce Rule Breach
BitcoinWorld South Korea’s FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s Dunamu Stake for Banking-Commerce Rule Breach South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reviewing whether Hana Bank’s acquisition of a stake in Dunamu, the operator of the Upbit cryptocurrency exchange, violates the country’s long-standing rules on the separation of banking and commerce. The review, first reported by iNews24 on May 18, underscores the regulator’s cautious approach to financial institutions engaging with the digital asset sector. Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies An official from the FSC’s Virtual Asset Division confirmed that the agency is not currently moving to relax the separation rules. The official stated that even though Hana Bank opted to acquire shares in Kakao Investment, a subsidiary of Kakao Corp., rather than directly in Dunamu, the transaction is being treated as a substantive investment in Dunamu and is therefore subject to the same regulatory standards. This interpretation suggests that the FSC is applying a broad view of the rules to prevent financial institutions from indirectly entering the cryptocurrency business. Background of the Banking-Commerce Separation Rule South Korea’s banking-commerce separation principle is designed to prevent industrial capital from exerting undue influence over financial institutions, and vice versa. It restricts banks from owning more than a certain percentage of non-financial companies, and similarly limits non-financial firms from holding large stakes in banks. The rule has been a key pillar of financial stability in the country, but it has also created friction as traditional banks explore partnerships with technology and cryptocurrency firms. Implications for Hana Bank and the Crypto Market Hana Bank’s investment in Kakao Investment, which in turn holds a stake in Dunamu, was seen by some market participants as a creative workaround to the separation rules. However, the FSC’s stance signals that such indirect structures will face the same level of scrutiny as direct investments. For Hana Bank, this could mean a forced divestiture or restructuring of the stake if the regulator deems it non-compliant. For the broader cryptocurrency market in South Korea, the review reinforces the message that regulatory guardrails remain firmly in place, even as global interest in digital assets grows. Conclusion The FSC’s review of Hana Bank’s Dunamu stake highlights the ongoing tension between traditional financial regulations and the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency industry. As regulators worldwide grapple with how to oversee digital assets, South Korea’s approach remains one of caution and strict adherence to existing legal frameworks. The outcome of this review could set a precedent for how other financial institutions approach crypto-related investments in the country. FAQs Q1: What is the banking-commerce separation rule in South Korea? A1: It is a regulatory principle that restricts banks from owning significant stakes in non-financial companies, and vice versa, to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain financial stability. Q2: Why is the FSC reviewing Hana Bank’s investment in Dunamu? A2: The FSC is examining whether the indirect investment through Kakao Investment violates the separation rules, treating it as a substantive stake in Dunamu, the operator of the Upbit exchange. Q3: What could happen if the FSC finds a violation? A3: Hana Bank may be required to divest the stake or restructure the investment to comply with the rules, potentially setting a precedent for similar future transactions. This post South Korea’s FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s Dunamu Stake for Banking-Commerce Rule Breach first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
18 May 2026, 05:48
These 4 Factors Could Move Bitcoin and Crypto This Week
Crypto markets are tanking and have wiped out almost three weeks of gains, with losses accelerating over the weekend. The week ahead has some key consumer sentiment reports amid rising US inflation and a number of Federal Reserve speeches under new leadership. Meanwhile, the war in Iran will mark its 80th day on Tuesday, and signs of a deal are still not forthcoming. Economic Events May 18 to 22 The economic data kicks off on Tuesday with pending US house sales reports, followed by the ADP employment weekly change. These two shed more light on the housing and labor markets, which are key to economic stability. Wednesday will have the Federal Open Markets Committee meeting minutes detailing the central bank’s last meeting in April and potentially offering insight into future decisions regarding interest rates. Thursday has more real estate market data, May’s Philly Manufacturing Index, and jobless claims. May’s Michigan Consumer Sentiment and Expectations reports are due out on Friday. Key Events This Week: 1. April Pending Home Sales data – Tuesday 2. Fed Meeting Minutes – Wednesday 3. Nvidia, $NVDA , Reports Earnings – Wednesday 4. May Philly Fed Manufacturing Index – Thursday 5. May UMich Consumer Sentiment data – Friday 6. May UMich Consumer… — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) May 17, 2026 Macroeconomic data aside, all eyes are likely to be on Nvidia’s earnings report on Wednesday, which has become a bellwether for the entire AI industry. CEO Jensen Huang doubled projections for the firm’s flagship chips, and company stock is up around 20% this year. TD Cowen analysts expect Nvidia to beat its quarterly revenue outlook by approximately $1 to $2 billion. This could provide a boost for AI altcoins as the industry continues to expand. However, US President Trump told Iran on Sunday that the “clock is ticking” for making a deal, causing oil prices to spike to $108 a barrel and crypto markets to crash. Crypto Market Outlook Total capitalization has declined by around $130 billion over the weekend, falling to a three-week low of $2.64 trillion on Monday morning despite the Senate’s advancement of the Clarity Act last week. Bitcoin led the losses, falling below $77,000 during Asian trading as it wiped out all gains made this month. The bigger picture shows that it is still consolidating and has been trading sideways since the beginning of February. Ether prices shadowed big brother as usual, tanking 2.4% on the day and falling back to $2,100, its lowest level since April 7. Altcoin losses were relatively minor aside from Hyperliquid and Zcash, which continued to gain. The post These 4 Factors Could Move Bitcoin and Crypto This Week appeared first on CryptoPotato .
18 May 2026, 05:47
Crypto traders betting on a rally lose $563 million in liquidations. Ether and bitcoin suffer the most
Ether and bitcoin led liquidations, as their prices dropped on macroeconomic concerns.
18 May 2026, 05:40
BTC/USDT Spot CVD Chart at 5:00 a.m. UTC on May 18: Volume Heatmap and Cumulative Delta Analysis
BitcoinWorld BTC/USDT Spot CVD Chart at 5:00 a.m. UTC on May 18: Volume Heatmap and Cumulative Delta Analysis At 5:00 a.m. UTC on May 18, the BTC/USDT spot cumulative volume delta (CVD) chart provided a detailed snapshot of order book dynamics for the leading cryptocurrency pair. The chart, which tracks real-time buying and selling pressure, offered traders a granular view of market microstructure during a period of relatively stable price action. Understanding the Volume Heatmap The top section of the chart displays a volume heatmap, which visualizes trading activity at specific price levels. When the price lingers in a narrow range or makes a significant move, the background brightens at those levels. These brighter zones often act as support or resistance, as they represent areas where a high volume of trades have occurred. On May 18, the heatmap indicated a concentration of trading activity near the $67,000 and $68,000 levels, suggesting these price points may serve as near-term support and resistance, respectively. Interpreting the Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) The lower section of the chart shows the CVD, an indicator that aggregates buy and sell orders categorized by trade size. As buying pressure increases, the corresponding colored line rises. The yellow line tracks orders between $100 and $1,000, often associated with retail traders. The brown line represents large orders between $1 million and $10 million, typically executed by institutional players or high-net-worth individuals. At the time of observation, the CVD for smaller orders (yellow line) showed a gradual upward slope, indicating steady retail buying interest. In contrast, the CVD for large orders (brown line) remained relatively flat, suggesting that institutional activity was more cautious or evenly balanced between buying and selling. This divergence between retail and institutional behavior can provide early signals about market sentiment shifts. Why This Matters for Traders For active traders, the combination of the volume heatmap and CVD offers a window into the order book that goes beyond simple price and volume data. The heatmap identifies key price levels where liquidity is concentrated, while the CVD reveals whether that liquidity is being driven by aggressive buying or selling. When the CVD rises while price remains flat, it can indicate accumulation. Conversely, a falling CVD alongside rising prices may suggest distribution. In the current market environment, where Bitcoin has been consolidating after a rally, such granular data helps traders distinguish between genuine accumulation and temporary price support. The lack of strong institutional buying pressure, as reflected in the flat CVD for large orders, may suggest that the recent price stability is being driven more by retail demand than by large-scale capital inflows. Conclusion The BTC/USDT spot CVD chart at 5:00 a.m. UTC on May 18 reveals a market characterized by steady retail buying interest and cautious institutional participation. The volume heatmap highlights key support and resistance levels near $67,000 and $68,000, while the CVD indicates that recent price action is supported more by smaller trades than by large institutional orders. Traders should monitor whether the CVD for large orders begins to rise, as that could signal a shift in market momentum. FAQs Q1: What is the Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) indicator? The CVD tracks the net difference between buying and selling volume, categorized by trade size. It helps traders identify whether market participants are accumulating or distributing an asset at current price levels. Q2: How does the volume heatmap differ from standard volume bars? The volume heatmap displays trading volume across multiple price levels over time, using color intensity to show where activity is concentrated. Unlike standard volume bars that show total volume per time period, the heatmap reveals which specific prices have the most liquidity. Q3: Why is it important to distinguish between retail and institutional order flow? Retail and institutional traders often have different time horizons and strategies. Large institutional orders can move markets, while retail orders tend to be smaller and more sentiment-driven. Tracking both provides a more complete picture of market dynamics. This post BTC/USDT Spot CVD Chart at 5:00 a.m. UTC on May 18: Volume Heatmap and Cumulative Delta Analysis first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
18 May 2026, 05:35
Upbit to List OriginTrail (TRAC) for KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading on April 20
BitcoinWorld Upbit to List OriginTrail (TRAC) for KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading on April 20 South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, has announced the upcoming listing of OriginTrail (TRAC) on its platform. Starting at 7:00 a.m. UTC on April 20, users will be able to trade TRAC against the Korean won (KRW), Bitcoin (BTC), and Tether (USDT). What the Listing Means for Traders The addition of TRAC to Upbit’s trading pairs opens a new avenue for South Korean investors to access the token directly in their local currency. KRW trading pairs often attract significant liquidity from the domestic retail market, which can influence trading volumes and price action. The simultaneous availability of BTC and USDT pairs also provides flexibility for international traders and arbitrage opportunities. Background on OriginTrail (TRAC) OriginTrail is a blockchain-based protocol designed for supply chain data management and verification. It aims to improve transparency and trust across global supply chains by allowing companies to securely share and verify product data. The project has been operational for several years and has partnerships with organizations in the logistics, food safety, and pharmaceutical sectors. The TRAC token is used for staking, data exchange, and network governance within the OriginTrail ecosystem. Why This Matters Upbit listings have historically been associated with increased trading activity and price volatility for newly listed tokens. South Korea remains one of the most active cryptocurrency markets globally, with a strong retail investor base. For TRAC holders, the listing on a major exchange like Upbit could improve liquidity and accessibility. However, investors should be aware that listing announcements can lead to short-term price swings and should conduct their own research before trading. Conclusion The Upbit listing of OriginTrail (TRAC) on April 20 represents a notable development for the token’s market presence in Asia. With KRW, BTC, and USDT trading pairs, the move provides broader access for both local and international traders. As always, market participants should monitor official announcements from Upbit for any changes to the listing schedule or trading conditions. FAQs Q1: When will TRAC trading begin on Upbit? Trading will start at 7:00 a.m. UTC on April 20. Q2: Which trading pairs will be available? Upbit will support TRAC trading against KRW, BTC, and USDT. Q3: What is OriginTrail used for? OriginTrail is a blockchain protocol for supply chain data management, enabling secure and transparent data sharing between organizations. This post Upbit to List OriginTrail (TRAC) for KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading on April 20 first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
