Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin ETF Inflows Hit US$2.3 Billion as Traders Bet on Fed Easing

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$115,303, a 0.3 percent decrease in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$114,509, and its highest was US$115,549.

Bitcoin price performance, September 15, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

CrypNuevo projects that Bitcoin may dip to US$112,000 to US$113,000 this week before presenting new swing long opportunities in altcoins like Chainlink and Ripple. Profit taking on Bitcoin longs is planned to start around US$119,200, anticipating market volatility and liquidity shifts around the US Federal Reserve’s meeting.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$4,494.71, a decrease of 2.6 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Monday was US$4,476.73, and its highest was US$4,538.16.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$232.85, a decrease of 4 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Monday was US$230.63, and its highest level was US$236.56.

• XRP was trading for US$2.99, down by 1.4 percent in the past 24 hours, and at its lowest valuation of the day. Its highest value for Monday was US$3.03.

• SUI (Sui) was valued at US$3.49, down by 5.6 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest price point of the day was US$3.47, and its highest price was US$3.53.

• Cardano (ADA) was priced at US$0.8594, down by 3.3 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Monday was US$0.8548, and its highest was US$0.8679.

Today’s crypto news to know

Bitcoin ETF inflows fuel bets on Q4 rally

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US have seen a staggering US$2.3 billion in inflows over the past week, a sign that institutional demand is surging just ahead of a critical Fed interest rate decision.

Traders widely expect the central bank to cut rates on Wednesday (September 17), a move that could boost risk assets across the board. Analysts say that Bitcoin, which has slipped nearly 8 percent since peaking at US$124,128 in August, may be poised for another leg higher if liquidity conditions ease.

“We’re only halfway through what could be a very powerful Q4 rally,” said Sean Dawson, head of research at Derive, who projects Bitcoin could reach US$140,000 by year end. Options data shows heavy positioning at US$140,000 to US$200,000 December calls, with some putting cycle tops as high as US$250,000 if flows persist.

PayPal plans crypto integration

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has introduced PayPal links, personalized one-time links generated within the PayPal app that can be shared via text, email or chat. According to the company, the move will make it more convenient for users to send digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ether and PYUSD to PayPal and its sister service, Venmo.

PayPal links will initially launch in the US, with plans to expand to the UK, Italy and other markets later this year.

Robinhood to launch venture fund for retail investors

Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a venture fund accessible to retail investors, according to a Monday company announcement. The fund would offer exposure to startup and private company investments, opportunities typically restricted to institutions.

“For decades, wealthy people and institutions have invested in private companies while retail investors have been unfairly locked out. With Robinhood Ventures, everyday people will be able to invest in opportunities once reserved for the elite,” said Robinhood Chairman and CEO Vlad Tenev.

The announcement highlights the disparity in investment opportunities for retail and institutional investors, explaining that the fund, Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI), would address this by expanding access to the private market.

This initiative builds on Robinhood’s previous launch of private tokenized stocks in the EU, which allows US retail investors to participate in private markets and gain exposure to companies before they go public. RVI plans to invest long term in a focused portfolio of private companies across various sectors.

Base teases native token launch and Solana bridge

Coinbase Global’s (NASDAQ:COIN) Layer 2 blockchain, Base, teased the potential launch of a native token at its BaseCamp event, a major event for the network. While details have not been confirmed, the news hints at a possible governance or utility token to expand Base’s ecosystem and incentivize user participation.

“As we begin this exploration, we’re sharing this shift in philosophy early as part of our commitment to building in the open, but we have no definitive plans to share at this time,” the company said following the event.

During the announcement, Base also shared that an open-source bridge to connect Base and Solana is in progress; it would enable cross-chain interoperability between the two ecosystems. Base also discussed new tools to support developers and users, including Base Batches 002 to help transform projects from concept to launch, and a Base Build dashboard designed to help builders scale and monetize their work.

France threatens to block EU crypto license “passporting”

France’s financial regulator is raising the stakes in Europe’s battle over crypto oversight, warning it could block firms licensed in other EU countries from operating domestically. According to a Reuters exclusive, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) says some companies are “shopping around” for jurisdictions with looser standards under the bloc’s new MiCA framework, then using those approvals to “passport” their services across the EU.

Alongside Italy and Austria, France is pressing for the European Securities and Markets Authority to take charge of supervising major crypto players. AMF Chief Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani described the potential rejection of EU licenses as an “atomic weapon” that Paris could wield if it sees regulatory gaps.

Analysts worry fragmented national approaches could undermine investor protection and financial stability.

Notably, exchanges like Coinbase and Gemini have already secured MiCA licenses in Luxembourg and Malta, raising questions about uneven enforcement across the bloc.

Ethereum Foundation pivots to privacy-first roadmap

The Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports Ethereum and related technologies, has unveiled a new initiative to make privacy a default feature across the blockchain’s ecosystem.

Rebranding its Privacy & Scaling Explorations team as the “Privacy Stewards of Ethereum,” the foundation has laid out plans for private transfers, confidential DeFi and protected governance mechanisms within the next six months.

“Our vision is to make privacy on Ethereum the norm rather than the exception,” the group said in a statement, arguing that users and institutions will otherwise drift to centralized alternatives. The roadmap also extends beyond transactions, with proposals to embed privacy in wallets, identity tools, and data portability.

Co-founder Vitalik Buterin has long championed stronger safeguards. His recent comments about risks from artificial intelligence-driven data leakage have reinforced the urgency of integrating privacy at the protocol level.