Bitcoin ETFs Experience $358.65 Million Outflow Amid Trump Policy Uncertainty

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $358.65 million in net outflows on May 29, 2025, marking the end of a 10-day inflow streak that had accumulated over $4.2 billion. The reversal occurred as markets reacted to conflicting court decisions regarding former President Donald Trump’s trade policies, creating uncertainty among investors. Fidelity’s FBTC led the outflows with $166.32 million withdrawn, followed by Grayscale’s GBTC at $107.53 million. ARK 21Shares’ ARKB and Bitwise’s BITB also saw significant withdrawals. Despite the short-term volatility, Bitcoin’s price remains resilient at 105,080.48 USDT, reflecting the underlying strength of the cryptocurrency market. Analysts suggest that while policy-related uncertainties may cause temporary fluctuations, the long-term bullish outlook for Bitcoin remains intact, driven by institutional adoption and macroeconomic trends.

Bitcoin ETFs Snap 10-Day Inflow Streak Amid Trump Trade Policy Uncertainty

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $358.65 million in net outflows on May 29, ending a 10-day inflow streak that had brought in over $4.2 billion. The reversal coincided with market jitters over conflicting court decisions on former President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

Fidelity’s FBTC led the outflows with $166.32 million withdrawn, followed by Grayscale’s GBTC at $107.53 million. ARK 21Shares’ ARKB and Bitwise’s BITB lost $89.22 million and $70.85 million, respectively. BlackRock’s IBIT bucked the trend with $125.09 million in inflows, suggesting some investors viewed the dip as a buying opportunity.

Despite the one-day setback, May remains a strong month for bitcoin ETFs with $5.85 billion in net inflows—nearly double April’s total. The figures underscore institutional crypto adoption’s volatility amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Slowing Inflows Ahead of Core PCE – Market Adjusts Risk Exposure

Revised US GDP figures show a slight upward adjustment, yet the economy contracted in Q1, signaling persistent macroeconomic headwinds. Bitcoin ETFs recorded their first outflow in nearly two weeks, breaking a sustained inflow streak as investor caution prevails.

Digital assets broadly declined 1.8% as market momentum waned, reflecting tempered risk appetite ahead of key inflation data. The pullback suggests traders are de-risking portfolios amid uncertainty around the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory.

Panama City Mayor Proposes Bitcoin Payments for Priority Canal Access

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has floated a novel incentive for global shipping: Bitcoin payments in exchange for expedited transit through the Panama Canal. Speaking at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas, Mizrachi suggested cargo ships could bypass queues by settling fees in BTC—a move that WOULD simultaneously promote cryptocurrency adoption and optimize maritime logistics.

The canal remains a linchpin of world trade, facilitating 10,000 transits annually and generating $5 billion in revenue. Mizrachi’s proposal aligns with his broader push for crypto integration, including municipal tax payments and a city Bitcoin reserve. His warning to regulators was unequivocal: "Don’t touch it, don’t get NEAR it, let it function."

This initiative could structurally embed Bitcoin into a critical commerce corridor, offering tangible utility beyond speculation. With Panama City contributing over half the nation’s GDP, such crypto-forward policies may Ripple across emerging markets.

Tether Aims for Bitcoin Mining Supremacy as Nations Explore BTC Reserves

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino declared ambitions to become the world’s largest Bitcoin miner during a high-energy industry event, revealing the stablecoin issuer holds over 100,000 BTC and earned $13 billion in profits. The company plans to deploy an additional $2 billion into energy-intensive mining infrastructure, signaling a strategic shift from financial services to physical Bitcoin production.

Pakistan’s government announced plans to establish a sovereign Bitcoin reserve, with Special Assistant Bilal bin Saqib vowing to "never sell" accumulated BTC. The initiative includes 2 GW of mining capacity leveraging surplus energy. Meanwhile, UK political figures like Nigel Farage are increasingly embracing Bitcoin as both an economic tool and campaign symbol.

The Venetian’s halls pulsed with institutional momentum as price screens flashed $105-106k BTC valuations. What began as niche technical discussions about hash rates has evolved into mainstream dialogues about state adoption, tax frameworks, and corporate integration - with Ardoino distilling the sentiment into a haiku: "Bitcoin is perfect, Gold is imperfect."

Samourai Wallet Challenges DOJ Charges, Citing FinCEN Policy

The founders of Bitcoin privacy tool Samourai Wallet have moved to dismiss a U.S. Department of Justice case alleging money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitter. Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill argue their non-custodial software falls outside regulatory boundaries established by FinCEN.

Samourai’s defense hinges on its technical architecture. Unlike custodial services, the wallet never controls user funds—it merely coordinates privacy-focused CoinJoin transactions. This distinction aligns with FinCEN’s historical stance that anonymizing software providers aren’t money transmitters.

The case could set precedent for open-source crypto tools. A ruling against Samourai might criminalize privacy protocols that don’t custody assets, potentially chilling innovation in Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Hits Record Low Volatility, Attracts Institutional Flows

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has achieved its lowest volatility since inception, with a 90-day rolling measure of 47.64—a milestone signaling growing institutional comfort with crypto as "digital gold." Senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas notes the self-reinforcing cycle: suppressed volatility attracts risk-averse capital, which further stabilizes price action. "This is the suitcoiners’ effect," he observes, referencing Wall Street’s gravitational pull on Bitcoin’s market dynamics.

The fund’s $49 billion inflows dwarf competitors like Fidelity’s FBTC ($12 billion), reflecting a bifurcation in crypto investment strategies. While IBIT caters to institutions seeking store-of-value exposure, vehicles like MicroStrategy (MSTR) continue attracting speculative traders betting on Bitcoin’s asymmetric upside.