Bitcoin [BTC] is below its recent highs now, but it’s far from boring.
Market dominance has been rising again and investors are still leaning on Bitcoin during uncertain times. Morgan Stanley’s recent ETF purchase also added to this trend.
Bitcoin dominance rises, price takes a hit
In mid-2025, Bitcoin was trading close to its highs, but its dominance was falling. At the time, traders were still willing to take more risk in altcoins.
In 2026, things look different though. Bitcoin’s price has dropped from its local highs, and its dominance has moved back up. This tells us that investors are pulling back from riskier parts of the market and staying closer to Bitcoin.
In weak markets, capital often moves towards the asset seen as the most liquid and reliable. So, Bitcoin does not always need a price rally to lead. Sometimes, all it needs is for everything else to fall harder.
The preference for BTC…
… is also showing up in big player activity. In fact, Arkham data showed Morgan Stanley holding over $270 million in Bitcoin, with recent inflows coming at a time when other ETF-linked players were selling.
This proves the initial thesis.
Morgan Stanley’s buying adds weight to the idea that large institutions still view Bitcoin as the main asset to hold when risk appetite is low.
Put simply, even in a weak market, Bitcoin continues to attract the most attention.
However, one must note that at press time, more than half of Bitcoin’s supply was held at a loss. This has only happened near major market bottoms, though usually after one more painful move lower.
Bitcoin needs price confirmation around $64,000
Now, even though the greater story might be constructive, the price chart hasn’t given a clean all-clear… yet. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trying to stabilise near the $63,000-zone after a fall. All while the RSI started recovering from oversold levels.
The pace seemed weak though. The DMI showed that sellers have not fully lost control, even though the pressure did ease. For Bitcoin to build a stronger case, it needs to reclaim nearby resistance and hold it.
Final Summary
- Bitcoin’s dominance has risen, even as BTC traded near $63K.
- Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin exposure and 50% underwater supply mean BTC might be in a high-pressure zone.