Bitcoin remains above the $96,000 level, trading flat over the past 24 hours according to The Block’s price page. The cryptocurrency has entered a consolidation phase after retreating from its mid-December high of over $108,000.
Institutional confidence in digital assets appears to be strengthening, as Bitcoin ETFs saw $475 million in inflows on Thursday, reversing a four-day streak of outflows leading up to Christmas. Ethereum ETFs also reported $89 million in inflows. Analysts attribute this resurgence to improving macroeconomic conditions and easing inflation. U.S. core PCE data showed inflation trending downward, with monthly and annual increases below expectations, suggesting a more favorable environment for risk assets like Bitcoin.
As Bitcoin’s price consolidates, some investors are exploring growth opportunities in emerging crypto narratives like AI and high-performance DeFi platforms. HyperLiquid’s HYPE token surged over 15% in the past 24 hours, while ai16z, a token combining AI and blockchain, rose 8%. Ai16z’s ecosystem leverages “Eliza” AI to create AI versions of real and fictional characters, including Marc Andreessen and Darth Vader. Analysts believe these innovative assets could see significant growth in the coming years, drawing investor attention beyond traditional cryptocurrencies.