Investor sentiment in crypto remained divided last week. While Bitcoin and Ethereum saw heavy outflows from institutional products, several altcoins gained attention. Data from Santiment pointed to rising activity around Starknet, XRP, Uniswap, and Monero. These projects drew interest on social media and through fund inflows, even as broader market pressure continued.
Bitcoin remained a top topic across markets last week after its price climbed above $106,000. The move came as traders reacted to signs that a possible U.S. government shutdown might be avoided. Broader market strength also played a role in lifting short-term sentiment. Some market watchers now see the potential for Bitcoin to reach $150,000 before the end of the year.
News around Square’s support for Bitcoin payments at over 4 million merchants also circulated heavily, with users focusing on the no-fee feature. At the same time, reports of further buying from Michael Saylor added to the chatter. Still, fund data showed $932 million in weekly outflows from Bitcoin-linked products, suggesting investors were locking in gains or reducing exposure.
Altcoins Pull in Traders and Capital
Starknet (STRK) gained momentum after posting a strong 32% price rise. Discussions pointed to ongoing upgrades, increased token staking, and volume spikes. The token also saw interest tied to upcoming unlocks and rising total value locked across its ecosystem.
Uniswap (UNI) saw renewed attention due to a proposal known as “UNIfication.” The plan would change how protocol fees are handled and reduce the total supply by burning tokens. This update also includes bringing different Uniswap teams under one strategy. The move triggered debate over token value and future governance.
Monero (XMR) returned to focus after a recent price jump and continued discussion about its default privacy features. Some compared it with Zcash, noting that Monero’s privacy settings are always on. Traders also mentioned increased real-world use and continued interest in peer-to-peer payments, even amid exchange delistings.
XRP and USDT Remain in Institutional Spotlight
XRP appeared in headlines after several spot ETFs were listed on the DTCC platform. Firms including Bitwise, 21Shares, and Franklin Templeton were among those backing the filings. The listing activity was seen by some as a step toward official launches. XRP also saw $28.2 million in inflows, making it one of the top performers among altcoins.
Tether (USDT) drew attention as well. Reports said the company holds $181 billion in assets and earned over $10 billion in profits. It continues to be widely used in trading. Social media tracked its recent investments in artificial intelligence, including a $150 million deal tied to Rumble and Northern Data.
Fund Flow Data Shows Mixed Regional Sentiment
According to CoinShares, digital asset funds saw $1.17 billion in net outflows during the week. Most of that came from the United States, where withdrawals totaled $1.22 billion. Other countries, including Hong Kong and Sweden, saw smaller outflows.
Meanwhile, some regions recorded net inflows. Switzerland brought in $49.7 million, followed by Germany with $41.3 million. Brazil added $12 million. Solana led with $118 million in new investment, and Hedera saw $26.8 million. Multi-asset products also gained $12 million, while Cardano and Sui both posted minor losses.
Market watchers continue to weigh macro uncertainty ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s next policy update. Fund activity and social data show that while major assets faced pressure, certain altcoins are attracting increased attention from both retail and institutional players.
