Surging U.S. Policy Uncertainty May Pressure Bitcoin as Active Addresses Decline Despite ETF Inflows

• Policy risk: U.S. EPU index hit 939.7, the highest since 2020, raising short‑term downside risks.

• On‑chain divergence: Active Addresses fell even as BTC hit new highs, showing ETF-driven demand over on‑chain transactions.

• Capital flows: Six weeks of net accumulation on exchanges; $165M of Bitcoin purchased this week, per exchange flow data.

Bitcoin price outlook: Policy stress and ETF flows create short‑term pressure but potential accumulation opportunities; read market indicators and act with risk controls.

What does the U.S. EPU spike mean for Bitcoin?

The U.S. Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) Index spike to 939.7 signals material policy risk that historically compresses risk asset prices and volumes. Short‑term downside of 2–5% across investment and consumption metrics becomes more likely, which can pressure Bitcoin price and liquidity.

How has the EPU index behaved recently?

Alphractal reported the EPU at 939.7 on 15 September, the highest level since the 2020 COVID‑era surge. Drivers include tariff shocks, inflation remaining above 3%, and fiscal disputes in Washington. These factors increase market volatility and raise the probability of short‑term corrections in BTC.

Crypto analyst Joao Wedson noted past parallels when the EPU reached 1,024 in January 2024 and Bitcoin dropped 21% from $48,969 to $38,555. Wedson called the pattern a recurring social fractal and suggested the current environment could be a short window for accumulation.

Source: Alphractal

How is this Bitcoin cycle different from previous ones?

On‑chain activity is decoupling from price. Historically, rising price coincided with rising Active Addresses (AA). Today, AA is falling even as Bitcoin made new highs, reflecting a shift in how investors gain exposure.

Why are Active Addresses falling despite higher prices?

Analysts such as Darkforst point to the rise of centralized exchanges and spot Bitcoin ETFs. Institutional products let investors buy BTC exposure without managing on‑chain wallets or conducting transactions, so traditional metrics like AA undercount the demand from these channels.

Source: X

Darkforst and other market observers highlight that institutional flows into spot ETFs and exchange custody services allow investors to participate without on‑chain activity. This structural change reduces the predictive power of some legacy indicators.

What do capital flows say about current sentiment?

Exchange flow data tracked by on‑chain analytics shows six weeks of net accumulation. CoinGlass data indicates investors bought roughly $165 million of Bitcoin this week, signaling continued demand even amid policy stress.

What should traders and investors watch next?

Monitor the EPU trajectory, exchange net flows, and ETF inflows. Combine these with volatility measures and macro indicators to set position sizes. For long‑term investors, short dips driven by policy noise may offer opportunity; for short‑term traders, elevated uncertainty argues for tighter risk controls.

Key Takeaways

• Policy risk is elevated: The EPU surge raises short‑term downside probability for Bitcoin.
• Market structure has changed: ETF and CEX demand can lift price without on‑chain growth in Active Addresses.
• Capital flows show accumulation: Exchange data records weeks of net buying, including $165M this week; use risk management when entering positions.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s price outlook is currently shaped by elevated U.S. policy uncertainty and evolving investor infrastructure. While short‑term volatility is likely, continued ETF and exchange accumulation suggest the market is still attracting capital. Investors should combine macro indicators, on‑chain flow data, and disciplined risk controls when assessing opportunities.