Bitcoin Stays Calm While Big Investors Take a Bigger Role

Why Is Bitcoin Staying Steady When Everything Feels Uncertain?

Bitcoin's price action on Friday, July 31, 2026, reflects forces pulling in opposite directions. Even so, it's holding steady at around $64,750 (as of 10:00 AM UTC), a small 1.2% gain over the past day. 

That's surprisingly calm, given the mixed news around big investment products and worries about the wider economy after the Federal Reserve's latest interest-rate decision.

Big Investors Keep Buying

A significant driver behind Bitcoin's strength is the involvement of institutional investors at a large scale. A recent Wintermute Research report found that these investors now handle a record 72% of large "over-the-counter" (OTC) crypto trades, private deals made directly between two big parties, away from public exchanges. That's up from 61% in the second half of 2025.

This growing influence suggests a structural shift in the crypto market. On top of that, public companies keep adding Bitcoin to their books; for example, Strive recently grew its holdings to 20,000 BTC.

Bitcoin ETFs: A Mixed Picture

A spot Bitcoin ETF is a stock-market product that lets people invest in Bitcoin through a regular brokerage account, without buying the coin directly. Watching money flow in and out of these ETFs tells us how strong demand is.

In July 2026, these ETFs took in about $205 million, the smallest monthly total since they launched in January 2024. Still, it was a step up, because it ended two straight months (May and June) of money flowing out.

The interest was uneven. On July 29, BlackRock's IBIT fund alone brought in $89.83 million, while several other Bitcoin ETFs lost money, so demand is concentrated in a few products. Even with the ups and downs, the total money invested in spot Bitcoin ETFs since they began is close to $51.4 billion (as of July 29).

The Fed and Global Tensions Add Pressure

The wider economy is also weighing on riskier investments like Bitcoin. On July 29, the Federal Reserve Bank of the US left interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%, as most people expected.

But three members of the Fed's decision-making committee wanted to raise rates by 0.25%. Higher rates usually make risky assets less attractive, so that split, plus rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran, has kept Bitcoin from climbing higher.

Even so, the total value of the whole crypto market rose 1.4% to $2.3 trillion, within last 24 hours,  with Bitcoin still the biggest player at 56.3%maintaining its dominance. According to the Wintermute Research Report, 

"As crypto works through a bear market, with retail largely absent and preoccupied with equities, the structure underneath is easier to see. The asset class is maturing, whatever recent price action suggests." 

A Simple Look at the Charts

Right now, Bitcoin is trading below its key moving averages. Sitting below them points to a generally weak (bearish) mood.

• 50-day average: $64,917
• 100-day average: $67,527
• 200-day average: $73,341 (as of July 30, 2026)

Key Levels to watch:

• Resistance: $64,950 and $67,500
• Support: $64,000 and $62,000

What Should Beginner Traders Keep an Eye On?

• A clear move above $65,000. If Bitcoin breaks and stays above this level, it could signal fresh upward momentum, with the next target being the 100-day average near $67,500.
• ETF money flows. July saw small inflows. A big jump in ETF demand could push prices up, while money flowing back out could add pressure.
• Be aware of macroeconomic data. Big reports can move the whole market.
• Warning: high-impact event ahead. The US Employment Cost Index for Q2 (forecast 0.8%, previous 0.9%) and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment for July (final; forecast 54.4, previous 54.4) both come out today, July 31, 2026. These can cause sudden price swings.