The crypto market pullback to ‘fear’ levels was driven by ETF demand cooling and July FOMC Minutes ahead of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks. Short-term indicators show a possible Bitcoin bottom, but Powell’s tone could still trigger renewed volatility.
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Crypto market pullback: ETF flows and macro risk trimmed demand ahead of Jackson Hole
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Liquidations exceeded $1B in three weeks, adding pressure to traders and sentiment.
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Options skew and call premiums suggest short- to mid-term bullish positioning for Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Meta description: crypto market pullback: Bitcoin bottom possible as ETF demand cools and Powell speech nears — read key takeaways and expert views. Stay informed.
What caused the crypto market pullback before Powell’s Jackson Hole speech?
The crypto market pullback was driven by cooling ETF demand, profit-taking after a $124k Bitcoin peak, and positioning ahead of July’s FOMC Minutes and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks. Traders reduced risk, pushing the Fear & Greed Index into “fear” before a partial rebound to neutral.
The crypto market descended briefly to ‘fear’ levels mid-week pre-FOMC Minutes. Will greed be back after Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole event?
The latest crypto market pullback has investors uneasy and on the borderline of fear ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium on 22 August.
On Wednesday, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index slid to a ‘fear’ level of 45, before recovering to a neutral reading of 50 at press time.
Source: CoinMarketCap
July’s FOMC Minutes and commentary ahead of Jackson Hole prompted traders to trim exposure. Some analysts, however, see the move as short-lived rather than structural.
How did demand and liquidations affect price action?
In Q3, Bitcoin rallied toward $124k before a sub-10% pullback amid profit-taking and macro pressure. ETF inflows and crypto-treasury demand cooled, according to on-chain monitors.
Source: CoinMarketCap
Over the past three weeks, liquidations rose to over $1 billion, amplifying short-term pain for leveraged positions and feeding downside momentum.
Source: Coinalyze
Why do some analysts say the bottom may be in?
Wall Street analyst Tom Lee argued BTC and ETH showed leading indicators of a bottom after a coordinated bounce. ETH rebounded from $4k and BTC tested $112.3k, while options skew showed call premiums above put demand—signaling bullish positioning among derivatives traders.
Source: Velo
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Bitcoin bottom been confirmed after the pullback?
There is no definitive confirmation, but short- to mid-term signals—option skew favoring calls and ETH & BTC bounces—suggest a tentative bottom. Sustained momentum will depend on Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks and subsequent macro data.
How should traders prepare for Powell’s Jackson Hole speech?
Use position sizing, set clear stop-loss levels, and monitor derivatives skew and ETF flows. Maintain liquidity and avoid aggressive leverage until Powell’s tone and futures markets clarify policy expectations.
Key Takeaways
- Market drivers: ETF demand cooling and Fed event risk triggered the pullback.
- Risk indicators: Liquidations > $1B and a temporary Fear & Greed Index drop signaled heightened short-term stress.
- Outlook & action: Options skew and analyst views point to a possible bottom; monitor Powell’s remarks and derivatives positioning before increasing exposure.
Conclusion
The crypto market pullback ahead of Powell’s Jackson Hole speech reflected reduced ETF demand, profit-taking, and macro caution. While technical and options indicators hint that a Bitcoin bottom may be forming, market direction will hinge on Fed guidance. Readers should track derivatives flow, ETF activity, and macro updates for confirmation.
Author: COINOTAG • Published: 22 August 2025 • Updated: 22 August 2025
Sources: CoinMarketCap, Coinalyze, Velo, Tom Lee (Wall Street analyst)
