BTC at $90K, No Fed Cut in Sight, Nvidia Lifts Markets

Bitcoin dropped below $90K and is now trading around $91.5K after spot Bitcoin ETFs returned to positive inflows following a five-day streak of $2.26B in net outflows. Ethereum fell below $3,000 but has recovered to slightly above the $3K mark. Following strong Nvidia earnings, a December Fed rate cut now looks unlikely, with Polymarket pricing a 76% chance of no change.

In other news, Kraken has confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO after securing a $20B valuation, while BlackRock launched a new trust amid early demand for staking-focused Ethereum ETFs. Block shares jumped after the company released a new three-year outlook calling for accelerated growth and an expanded buyback program. Meanwhile, Ark Invest increased its positions in Circle, Bullish, and BitMine, taking advantage of the recent pullback in crypto-related stocks.

News

Table of Contents

Markets

Best Performers

Source: CoinMarketCap

Starknet ($STRK) and Zcash ($ZEC) remain strong, continuing to outperform the broader market as scaling and privacy narratives stay in focus. Privacy coins once again dominate the leaderboard, with 4 out of the top 5 assets tied to privacy-related demand.

Sector Performance

Source: Velo

According to GMCI, the GMCI 30, which tracks the top 30 cryptocurrencies, is down 11.27% over the past week. The GMCI Mid Cap is down 10.97%, while GMCI Small Cap indices posted a loss of 10.47%. The rest of the sectors:

  • Layer 1: -10.04%
  • Layer 2: –3.89%
  • DeFi: -8.73%
  • AI: -6.59%
  • RWA: -11,18%
  • Gaming: -10.24%
  • Meme: -11.43%

US Spot ETF Balances

US Bitcoin Spot ETFs

Source: Glassnode
Source: Coinglass

Total Assets Under Management (AUM) = $129,88 Billion

Weekly Inflows = -$24.64 Billion

US Ethereum Spot ETFs

Source: Glassnode

Total Assets Under Management (AUM) = $18,42 Billion

Weekly Inflows = -$4.95 Billion

*The data for BTC / ETH ETFs can vary, so we use Coinglass as our source.

Market Commentary

Bitcoin

After a five-day streak of net ETF outflows totaling $2.26B, $BTC dipped to $92K, where bulls and bears are now battling for control of the weekly support. There is high-leverage liquidity sitting below at $90.5K, with the majority at $88K, while bears continue to “set” liquidity around $94K, creating a tight and volatile range.

The Nvidia earnings call effectively “saved” the market, triggering a rebound in risk assets, yet Bitcoin continues to underperform selective altcoins. At this point, patience is key. We need to see whether a local bottom forms before any meaningful move upward.

If $92K fails to hold, downside targets open up toward monthly support near $82K, which is where we would re-evaluate the broader market structure.

Source: Tradingview
Source: Coinglass

Ethereum

$ETH also dumped to its weekly support at $3,000, a key psychological level, which has held so far. Just like with BTC, it makes sense to wait for a local bottom to form and to see a clear confirmation that weekly support has held before positioning yourself.

If this level fails to hold, the next maSource: TradingViewjor area of interest sits around $2,500, where both monthly and weekly support align.

Source: Tradingview

Bitcoin dominance stands at 58.6%.

In traditional markets:

  • S&P 500 down 1.17%
  • NASDAQ down 1.40%
  • Gold down 2.60%

The total crypto market cap stands at $3.13 trillion, down roughly 9.8% from $3.47 trillion, reflecting the continued impact of the recent correction. The Fear & Greed Index is at 11 (Extreme Fear), showing persistent caution and strong risk aversion across the market.

What's Next?

The positive Nvidia earnings call shifted market expectations, making a December Fed rate cut increasingly unlikely. Across asset classes, digital assets remain at the bottom of the performance quilt. Bitcoin and most altcoins continue to bleed, with only narrow pockets of strength in themes like privacy and fee-switch tokens. At this pace, BTC is on track for its worst November since 2019.

Despite this, the broader macro backdrop still points to a global easing cycle:

  • Japan is preparing a $110B stimulus package
  • China continues to inject liquidity
  • The U.S. QT program ends next month
  • Fiscal channels like the proposed $2K stimulus remain active

With economic data releases resuming post-shutdown, investors are watching closely to see whether this is simply a positioning shakeout or the start of broader risk aversion.

In order for crypto to recover meaningfully, BTC and majors need to lead first. Until that happens, the market will continue to rotate through short-term narratives seeking liquidity, without sustainable or longer-lasting.

Meme of the Week

Christmas came early.

We hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Diary of a Market Maker! Stay tuned for more insights, updates, and market-moving highlights as we continue to keep you informed and entertained in the ever-evolving world of crypto.

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Until next time, happy trading and stay ahead of the curve!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. All opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of any entity with which the author may be associated. Investing in financial markets involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Readers should perform their own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Jakob Brezigar

Jakob, an experienced specialist in the field of cryptocurrency market making, boasts an extensive international presence. With Orcabay, he has skillfully managed major operations and deals for a wide array of global stakeholders.​