Bitcoin fell 2% to $62,687.6 by 01:47 ET (05:47 GMT) on Friday and was set to lose 2.8% for the week. The move extended a reversal of a recent, short-lived recovery in the world\u2019s largest cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n
The decline followed hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve, which dampened sentiment toward risk-driven, speculative assets. Most altcoins also weakened under the same pressure, reflecting broader caution across digital asset markets.<\/p>\n
Institutional investors continued to exit spot Bitcoin ETFs for a sixth consecutive week. Although the pace of capital outflows slowed compared with recent weeks, the trend still indicated softening institutional demand for Bitcoin. According to the report, investors were instead favoring high-flying artificial intelligence stocks, which were viewed as having clearer fundamentals.<\/p>\n
Geopolitical developments added another layer of uncertainty. The U.S. and Iran abruptly called off peace talks that were scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday. Iranian media reported that Tehran did not send a delegation, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was to lead the U.S. delegation, withdrew from the meeting on Thursday evening. Switzerland\u2019s foreign ministry confirmed the cancellation, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n
Iranian media reports indicated that Israel\u2019s continued hostilities against Hezbollah in Lebanon remained a key point of contention for Tehran. The talks had been planned as the first in a 60-day period of dialogue over Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions, following a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
The delay raised questions over the durability of the U.S.-Iran peace deal, particularly amid resistance from Israel. Nonetheless, the U.S. was seen lifting its naval blockade against Iran, and oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz were reported to be picking up.<\/p>\n
Broader cryptocurrency prices tracked Bitcoin lower and were headed for a muted weekly performance. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, fell 2.2% to $1,699.71. XRP declined 3.2%, while Solana, Cardano, and BNB each shed between 2% and 4%.<\/p>\n
Among memecoins, Dogecoin dropped 2.4%, and $TRUMP slipped 0.9%. The synchronized pullback across major tokens and memecoins highlighted the prevailing risk aversion in digital asset markets.<\/p>\n
How much did Bitcoin fall on Friday and for the week?<\/strong> What is pressuring cryptocurrency markets currently?<\/strong> How are institutional investors positioning toward Bitcoin?<\/strong> How did major altcoins perform alongside Bitcoin?<\/strong>
Bitcoin fell 2% on Friday to $62,687.6 by 01:47 ET (05:47 GMT) and was set to lose 2.8% over the week.<\/p>\n
Hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve, continued outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs, and uncertainty surrounding delayed U.S.-Iran peace talks are weighing on risk appetite and pressuring cryptocurrencies.<\/p>\n
Institutional investors have been selling spot Bitcoin ETFs for six consecutive weeks, with outflows slowing but still indicating waning interest as some investors rotate toward artificial intelligence stocks.<\/p>\n
Ether fell 2.2% to $1,699.71, XRP dropped 3.2%, Solana, Cardano, and BNB declined between 2% and 4%, while memecoins such as Dogecoin and $TRUMP also registered losses.<\/p>\n