Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP edge lower as ETF flows show a mixed picture

• $527 million of ETF inflows help shield Bitcoin from strong headwinds as it posts modest losses for a second consecutive day.
• With ETF outflows reaching $103 million, Ethereum’s price puts structural support under pressure.
• XRP remains capped below $1.30 as the SuperTrend and short-, medium- and long-term moving averages constrain its recovery prospects.

A support band of $80,000-$81,000 is underpinning Bitcoin’s stability and consolidation, encouraging institutional inflows. Bitcoin (BTC) trades above $81,000 on Tuesday, reflecting the subdued mood across the wider cryptocurrency market.

Below $2,400 and $1.30 respectively, Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) are moving in step with Bitcoin, alongside other altcoins. Despite pockets of demand, the balance of risks for both tokens appears tilted to the downside.

The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision on 28 October remains the principal macroeconomic focus. Despite persistently high inflation in the United States (US), market participants assign a high probability to rates remaining in the 3.75-4.00% range, according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.

Bitcoin ETFs Draw Renewed Inflows

Monday brought $527 million of inflows into Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), marking a return by institutional investors after roughly $82 million of outflows last Friday. SoSoValue data put cumulative inflows at $57.4 billion and net assets under management at $105 billion. Sustained inflows would help protect Bitcoin from headwinds and improve the prospects of a recovery.

By contrast, Monday’s $103 million of outflows from Ethereum spot ETFs extended their bearish run to four days. Since 29 September, ETH ETFs have registered just one session of inflows: $25 million on 13 October. Cumulative inflows nevertheless remain positive at $12.8 billion, with net assets averaging $15 billion.

Activity in XRP spot ETFs was subdued on Monday, following withdrawals of $105,000 last Thursday and $2.5 million on Friday. Cumulative inflows of $1.8 billion and net assets of $1.5 billion nonetheless leave the longer-term outlook broadly positive.

Technical analysis: Bitcoin buyers defend crucial support band

At $81,461, Bitcoin is building on its recovery above a closely grouped base of medium- and long-term Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs). The 50-day EMA at $80,620 and 100-day EMA at $77,194 remain below the pair, while the 200-day EMA at $76,032 provides further backing for the wider bullish structure.

Below the spot price, the SuperTrend line at $79,664 likewise indicates that sharp dips are being absorbed. However, a sub-zero Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading and a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of around 46 point to modest bullish momentum, rather than a forceful trend.

The first support level is the SuperTrend threshold near $79,664, followed by a deeper concentration of structural demand around the 200-day EMA at $76,032. Provided BTC continues to close above these levels, further consolidation interspersed with attempts to push higher remains favoured. Momentum signals nevertheless point to a measured advance rather than a sharp upward move.

Altcoins technical analysis: Selling pressure returns to Ethereum and XRP

At $2,390, Ethereum remains below its 50-day EMA of $2,480, leaving the short-term outlook bearish, although it is still above the 100-day EMA at $2,360 and the 200-day EMA at $2,315. This configuration points to a correction within a wider uptrend. A negative MACD and a weak RSI near 36 underline the downward pressure, signalling continued selling interest without conditions yet becoming extremely oversold.

To temper the prevailing bearish bias and restore scope for further gains, Ethereum would need a daily close above initial resistance at the 50-day EMA of $2,480. On the downside, the SuperTrend line at $2,665 offers immediate support, with nearer structural demand at the 100-day EMA of $2,360 and, subsequently, the 200-day EMA of $2,314.69. Losing these moving averages would probably extend the correction and leave ETH vulnerable to a more substantial decline.

Trading near $1.30, XRP sits beneath every key moving average and the active SuperTrend line, maintaining a bearish short-term bias. The price is below the 100-day EMA of $1.34 and the 50-day and 200-day EMAs grouped around $1.38, indicating pressure on the wider uptrend structure.

The momentum picture supports that assessment: the MACD remains below zero, with recent readings negative, and the RSI of 35 sits just above oversold territory. Selling pressure therefore retains the upper hand, although it is nearing a region where prices could stabilise or stage a corrective rebound.

A daily close above the 100-day EMA at $1.34, the first resistance level, would be required to relieve immediate downward pressure. Beyond that, the 50-day EMA at $1.38 presents a more substantial obstacle, potentially halting a rebound before it can challenge the broader bearish structure.

At $1.46, the SuperTrend line offers a more important trigger for a bullish shift. A decisive move above it would be necessary to indicate that XRP has emerged from its current corrective phase. Until fresh demand materialises, further downside remains a risk, as the existing daily-chart indicators identify no clear support levels nearby.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)