Bitcoin drops below $82,000 as US spot ETF outflows hit $635 million

Bitcoin fell below $82,000 during Asian trading on Friday as renewed selling pressure on global markets hit cryptocurrencies, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs recording $635 million in outflows. Bitcoin was down 1.3% to $81,623 at the time of writing, extending losses after a sharp selloff on US stock markets Thursday. The decline followed three consecutive days of positive inflows to US spot Bitcoin ETFs, signaling a reversal in institutional demand. Broader markets have come under pressure as escalating Middle East tensions drive oil prices higher and revive inflation concerns. The ETF outflows ended a three-day buying streak, though US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs have still attracted roughly $1.1 billion in net inflows this week. Bitcoin has fallen about a third from its record high above $126,000 a year ago. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.6% and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 6.7%, while Brent crude rose 3.7% to $112 per barrel.