Research > ETFs > ETF / ETP Commentary > 

Bitcoin Volatility Cools Even as Fed Risk Lingers

Bitcoin is trading around $64,085, up about 3.3% for the month. Even as a hawkish Federal Reserve and renewed Middle East tensions keep markets on edge, the waters are steadily calming for the premier cryptocurrency.Key Takeaways: Bitcoin trades near $64,000 as Fed policy and geopolitical risk keep pressure on prices. Peak daily volatility has fallen from 7.58% in 2013 to a record low of 2.24% in 2025. A 5% bitcoin allocation lifted a 60/40 portfolio’s return to 11.64% from 8.56% annually. According to CoinShares, this kind of choppy trading matches what its research on bitcoin’s volatility would predict. The firm argues that the swings are becoming less severe as more long-term, institutional holders enter the market. See more: Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin Back Above $60K James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, said that the Fed remains the biggest swing factor for bitcoin right now. The June Federal Open Market Committee minutes carried extra weight, he said, because Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has yet to offer a clear public view on rates. The committee held its benchmark at 3.50% to 3.75% while dropping language that had suggested a lean toward cuts. Spot bitcoin ETFs saw roughly $8 billion in outflows over eight weeks, the longest such streak on record, Butterfill said. He added that renewed buying over the past few trading days suggests that forced selling may be running out of steam. This is often the first sign that a market is bottoming.Bitcoin's Wild Swings Have Been CoolingThis backdrop lines up with CoinShares’ broader case for bitcoin: volatility is not a flaw to engineer away, but a natural feature of an asset still finding its footing. Bitcoin’s peak daily volatility has fallen from 7.58% in 2013 to a record low of 2.24% in 2025. According to CoinShares, the volatility has leveled as institutional participation has deepened. Annualized volatility, meanwhile, has also come down, from levels that regularly topped 150% before spot bitcoin ETFs launched. CoinShares pointed to a mix of forces that are still shaping bitcoin’s price swings. This includes its growing sensitivity to Fed policy and dollar liquidity, event-driven jolts from regulatory news, and leverage in crypto derivatives markets that can amplify moves in either direction. The firm’s own modeling makes a numbers-based case for holding through that volatility. A traditional 60/40 portfolio returned 8.56% annually from January 2020 through March 2026, CoinShares found. A version that swapped in a 5% bitcoin allocation returned 11.64% annually, with the Sharpe ratio, a measure of risk-adjusted return, rising from 0.71 to 0.93. Investors tracking how much volatility the market expects going forward can watch the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index, according to CoinShares. The index uses options pricing data to estimate expected price swings over the next 30 days. For exposure without holding bitcoin directly, the CoinShares Bitcoin ETF (BRRR ) carries a 0.25% expense ratio and has gathered $366.1 million in assets since its January 2024 launch, according to ETF Database. CoinShares will host an educational webinar exploring opportunities in bitcoin equities and how investors can capture the tailwinds generated by AI infrastructure. The session takes place July 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Register here. For more news, information, and strategy, visit the CoinShares Crypto ETF Hub.

Performance data shown is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. Yield and return will vary, therefore you have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. For standard quarterly performance, go to the fund's Snapshot page by clicking on the ETF/ETP's symbol.

ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV and are subject to the market fluctuations of their underlying investments.

For iShares ETFs, Fidelity receives compensation from the ETF sponsor and/or its affiliates in connection with an exclusive long-term marketing program that includes promotion of iShares ETFs and inclusion of iShares funds in certain FBS platforms and investment programs. Please note, this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation can be found in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Fidelity may add or waive commissions on ETFs without prior notice. BlackRock and iShares are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

FBS receives compensation from the fund's advisor or its affiliates in connection with a marketing program that includes the promotion of this security and other ETFs to customers ("Marketing Program"). The Marketing Program creates incentives for FBS to encourage the purchase of certain ETFs. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation is in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Please note that this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral.

News, commentary (including "Related Symbols") and events are from third-party sources unaffiliated with Fidelity. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt their content. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use.

Any data, charts and other information provided on this page are intended to help self-directed investors evaluate exchange traded products (ETPs), including, but limited to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs). Criteria and inputs entered, including the choice to make ETP comparisons, are at the sole discretion of the user and are solely for the convenience of the user. Analyst opinions, ratings and reports are provided by third-parties unaffiliated with Fidelity. All information supplied or obtained from this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or guidance, an offer of or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell a particular security, or a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity of any security or investment strategy. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating ETPs. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use. Determine which securities are right for you based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation and other individual factors and re-evaluate them on a periodic basis.

Before investing in any exchange traded product, you should consider its investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus, offering circular or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.