Bitcoin slides even as buyers step in: 3 factors behind BTC’s drop

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin dropped after a spike in Binance’s Spot Volume Delta flipped positive, sparking a sell-off. While retail investors accumulated and moved coins off exchanges, institutional activity remained weak.

Bitcoin’s [BTC] latest swing has left traders torn.

On one hand, massive Exchange Outflows showed investors were storing their coins away for the long-term.

On the other, Binance’s sudden flip in Spot Volume Delta triggered a sharp sell-off, dragging prices down from $113K to $110K in a flash.

While retail buyers are stepping up, institutions appear to be cashing out. Adding in the lack of fresh ETF inflows, this move is being powered more by organic demand than by big money.

Binance Spot Volume Delta flips positive

Bitcoin’s latest pullback had roots in Binance’s Spot Volume Delta.

Since mid-August, the delta had been negative, keeping BTC stuck in a tight range.

But after the 2nd of September, buying activity on Binance picked up, and by the 5th, the delta had surged into positive territory, reaching nearly $1 billion.

Source: CryptoQuant

Usually, this sort of setup is a sign that retail buyers are stepping in while institutions use the liquidity to exit.

True to form, Bitcoin slid from $113K to $110K shortly after the delta flipped, proving that when prices fail to rise despite strong buying pressure, a correction usually follows.

Exchange outflows show holding demand, ETFs stay neutral

Over the past week, Bitcoin’s cash flow data showed a clear divide between retail and institutional behavior.

Heavy Exchange Outflows on the 28th and 29th of August, and again on the 2nd of September, showed investors moving coins into personal wallets. That signaled a stronger holding conviction among investors.

Source: CryptoQuant

In the same thread, ETFs told a different story.

A sharp inflow on the 3rd of September was quickly offset by an outflow the very next day, leaving net ETF demand flat.

And while institutions remained hesitant, organic demand from direct holders showed persistence.

In short, Bitcoin’s latest strength is more from self-custody believers than Wall Street.

BTC stays muted

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $110.7K, showing little momentum after last week’s pullback.

During this period, BTC was in a period of sideways consolidation, with tightening near the $110K-$111K range. The RSI hovered near 45, keeping BTC in neutral-to-bearish territory.

Source: TradingView

Meanwhile, OBV trended flat, with a lack of strong inflows to support a breakout. Unless demand picks up, Bitcoin could extend its consolidation in the short term.