TLDR
- Bitcoin broke above $80,000 late Sunday, up 2.6% in 24 hours
- US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a fifth straight week of inflows at $153.87 million
- US-Iran tensions continue to drive risk sentiment across crypto markets
- Analyst Michael van de Poppe targets $86–88K as first resistance, then $92–94K
- Some traders are warning of potential liquidity grabs before a possible reversal
Bitcoin climbed above $80,000 late Sunday, marking a break past a level that had capped price action over the weekend. The move came as investors tracked ongoing US-Iran negotiations and steady institutional buying through ETFs.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose 2.6% over 24 hours to $80,150 as of 11:40 p.m. ET Sunday. Ether gained 3.6% to $2,382, and XRP added 2% to $1.41.
Nick Ruck, director of LVRG Research, said the move “places near-term momentum firmly as bullish and confirms buyer strength after the earlier pullback.” Dominick John of Zeus Research called it a technical short squeeze through a “major” psychological resistance zone.
Over $108 million in Bitcoin leveraged shorts were liquidated in just one hour as BTC held $80,000, according to Bitcoin Archive.
JUST IN: Over $108M+ Bitcoin leveraged shorts liquidated in the last 1H, as $BTC holds $80K pic.twitter.com/yKNNxWVI0z
— Bitcoin Archive (@BitcoinArchive) May 4, 2026
ETF Inflows Support the Move
US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted their fifth consecutive week of inflows, totaling $153.87 million last week, per SoSoValue data. Friday alone saw nearly $630 million flow into US spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Ruck said sustained inflows “highlight growing institutional support and confidence in bitcoin as a strategic asset in portfolios.”
Trader and analyst Michaël van de Poppe weighed in on X, saying Friday’s ETF inflows were a key signal. He set $79K as a crucial zone to break, with $86–88K as the first resistance area and $92–94K as the next key level if momentum holds.
Analyst Ted Pillows noted on X that BTC broke above $79,000 but faced rejection before eventually pushing through. He said reclaiming $80,000 raises the likelihood of Bitcoin filling the $84,000 CME gap.
$BTC broke above the $79,000 level today but got rejected again.
It's still holding above its key support zone.
If BTC reclaims the $80,000 zone, the likelihood of Bitcoin filling the $84,000 CME gap will go up. pic.twitter.com/zAXdAYa4sK
— Ted (@TedPillows) May 3, 2026
US-Iran Tensions in Focus
The price move came as Trump announced “Project Freedom” on Truth Social — an initiative to guide stranded cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also said US representatives were having “very positive discussions” with Iran.
⚡️JUST IN: U.S. TO ESCORT SHIPS OUT OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Trump says the U.S. will launch “Project Freedom” to guide neutral ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz to safety starting Monday.
He called it a humanitarian effort, warning any interference would be met with force. pic.twitter.com/pdl89U126x
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 3, 2026
However, Iranian official Ebrahim Azizi warned that any US interference in the strait would violate the ceasefire. Brent crude climbed to $108.49 per barrel.
Finishing the week above $78,670 would have been Bitcoin’s highest weekly close since late January. Breaking $80,000 extended that further.
Some traders remained cautious. Crypto Tony flagged liquidity building below the current price. JDK Analysis described the setup as “typically bearish,” pointing to fresh longs opening into the highs while price showed signs of absorption.
Traders are watching May 7 initial jobless claims, US-Iran headlines, and ETF inflows as the key data points heading into the new week.
