Bitcoin and Ethereum posted gains in the fourth week of July despite surging oil prices driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions, according to Xangle on the 25th. Bitcoin rose 1.79% to $65,045 during the week, while Ethereum climbed 1.96% to $1,877, supported by continued institutional inflows through spot exchange-traded funds. The rally occurred as Brent crude hit $100 per barrel intraday and WTI exceeded $90 following Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers and disruption concerns at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising inflation concerns ahead of the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
Oil Price Surge Raises Inflation Concerns Ahead of FOMC Meeting
The week's primary market variable was the sharp rise in international oil prices due to escalating Middle East tensions. Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi Arabian oil tankers combined with operational disruption concerns at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait pushed Brent crude to $100 per barrel intraday, while West Texas Intermediate exceeded $90. Xangle assessed that rising energy prices weakened expectations for slowing inflation and heightened interest rate vigilance ahead of the FOMC meeting scheduled for next week. The research firm noted that this oil price increase reflected supply shock characteristics, resulting in simultaneous dollar strengthening, rising interest rates, and inflation hedge demand rather than broad risk asset selloffs. Defensive buying centered on Bitcoin remained intact under these conditions.
Spot ETF Inflows Totaled $809 Million from 17th to 23rd
Institutional capital through spot ETFs provided the market floor during the week. U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded approximately $609 million in net inflows from the 17th to 23rd, while Ethereum spot ETFs saw approximately $200 million in net inflows during the same period. ETF capital inflows continued through the latter half of the week despite mounting oil price and interest rate pressures, supporting Bitcoin and Ethereum prices. Xangle evaluated this rally as a result of institutional capital concentrating in large-cap crypto assets rather than liquidity spreading across altcoins broadly, indicating selective capital inflows rather than market-wide risk appetite recovery.
Xangle Analyst Attributes Rally to Institutional Buying in Large-Cap Assets
Kim Jun-seong, researcher at Xangle, stated that this week's Bitcoin and Ethereum gains reflected institutional buying through spot ETFs supporting the floor of large-cap assets amid oil price shocks, rather than broad-based risk appetite expansion. He added that if Brent crude stabilizes around $100 per barrel, altcoin rotation may remain limited, noting that next week requires monitoring both international oil price stability and whether spot ETF capital inflows continue.
![Bitcoin and Ethereum weekly performance chart]()
Chart showing Bitcoin and Ethereum price movements during the fourth week of July
FAQ
What caused Bitcoin and Ethereum to rise in the fourth week of July?
Bitcoin rose 1.79% to $65,045 and Ethereum climbed 1.96% to $1,877 during the fourth week of July, supported by continued institutional inflows through spot ETFs despite surging oil prices from Middle East geopolitical tensions.
How much capital flowed into crypto spot ETFs from the 17th to 23rd?
U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded approximately $609 million in net inflows from the 17th to 23rd, while Ethereum spot ETFs saw approximately $200 million in net inflows during the same period, according to Xangle on the 25th.
