- Bitcoin and Ethereum saw notable gains on Friday, July 10, 2026, with Ethereum posting a modest 3% weekly increase.
- Despite price rallies, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained in 'Extreme Fear,' suggesting underlying market apprehension.
- A $1.75 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired, with max pain points at $62,000 for BTC and $1,700 for ETH.
Bitcoin Ethereum Prices See Weekly Gains
On Friday, July 10, 2026, Bitcoin and Ethereum prices surged, with Ethereum recording a modest 3% gain since the previous Friday. Bitcoin (BTC) traded around $64,400, marking a 2% increase since midnight UTC. Resistance levels loomed. Breaking past this point could propel Bitcoin toward its June 15 high of $67,250. Investors watched closely for a decisive breakout. Ethereum (ETH) outperformed Bitcoin, climbing 2.6% to reach approximately $1,790. The altcoin's upward shift attempts to break a recent pattern of sequential declining highs and lower lows. The broader crypto market experienced an uptick, with several altcoins also registering gains ahead of the weekend, a period typically characterized by reduced liquidity.
The upward trend for Bitcoin prices in July 2026 comes after a period of volatility. Investor interest, cautious but renewed. Institutional activity, particularly BlackRock's IBIT, showed sustained inflows. This marked a turnaround for the fund. The inflows reversed weeks of outflows, indicating a growing confidence in digital assets among major players. Yet, the Coinbase Premium remained negative, underscoring weak U.S. demand and hinting at a potential divergence in market drivers.
$1.75 Billion in Options Expire Amidst Volatility
Simultaneously with the price movements, a substantial $1.75 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired on July 10. Traders maintained a cautious outlook on the crypto market leading up to this event. Approximately 23,000 BTC options expired, carrying a notional value of $1.5 billion. Bitcoin max pain: $62,000. This level acted as a key psychological barrier. For Ethereum, 140,000 ETH options expired, totaling a notional value of $250 million, with its maximum pain point set at $1,700. While, this weekly expiry represented only about 7% of outstanding options, making it smaller than previous monthly and quarterly settlements. Therefore, these expiring contracts weren't likely to cause a lasting, dramatic shift in the spot market.
Despite the expiration, Bitcoin's gamma exposure was heavily concentrated near the $64,000 mark. A considerable accumulation of call options around this level could influence dealer hedging strategies as the price moves through that strike. Short-term volatility often follows. Traders braced for potential price swings. Yet, the market absorbed this event without disruption, suggesting resilience in current Bitcoin Ethereum prices. This capacity to absorb extensive expiries without a major downturn indicates a maturing market structure, capable of handling substantial derivatives activity.
Market Fear Persists Despite Inflows
Despite the recent gains in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, the broader market sentiment reveals a paradox. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained firmly in 'Extreme Fear' territory on July 10, 2026. 'Extreme Fear' persisted. Such sentiment often precedes market shifts. This stark contrast between rising asset values and prevailing investor apprehension highlights the complex forces at play. ETF inflows continued to provide support, demonstrating conviction among institutions in digital assets—a clear sign of underlying strength. Yet, macroeconomic pressures lingered, contributing to the overall apprehensive mood among retail investors. The divergence suggests that while smart money might be accumulating, general market participants remain wary of potential downturns.
The persistent negative Coinbase Premium further reinforces this narrative of divided sentiment. U.S. demand subdued. This lack of domestic enthusiasm is a critical market factor. It reflects a subdued demand from U.S. investors, who often drive considerable market activity. As Ethereum eyes the $4000 mark in future projections, understanding these nuanced market indicators becomes essential. Market navigates delicate balance. The crypto market continues to navigate a delicate balance between fundamental adoption, major player interest, and lingering retail fear. Future price action will likely depend on whether inflows from institutions can overcome the broader macroeconomic concerns and shift the prevailing sentiment from intense fear to a more neutral or greedy outlook.