Bitcoin dropped 3% to $103,222 on Wednesday as investors took profits and uncertainty mounted over the Federal Reserve's December rate decision. The cryptocurrency briefly traded below $103,000 at around $102,600 earlier in the session. Traders are monitoring conflicting signals from Fed officials regarding a potential year-end rate cut, with the CME FedWatch Tool showing a 66.9% probability of a reduction at the December 9-10 meeting.

Fred Thiel, CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings, stated that Bitcoin mining is entering a challenging phase where only the most efficient operators with access to cheap power will remain viable. As network hashrate reaches record highs, profit margins are compressing industry-wide. According to Thiel, operational viability now depends primarily on securing low-cost energy sources as competition intensifies.

US-based Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded approximately $300 million in net inflows on Tuesday, ending a two-week period of net redemptions, according to SoSoValue data. Fidelity's FBTC led with $165.9 million, followed by Ark 21Shares' ARKB with $102.5 million. The shift indicates institutional investors are using recent price declines as accumulation opportunities.

Bitcoin is consolidating near $103,000 following two major U.S. cryptocurrency developments. Bitwise launched the first U.S. Solana ETF on October 28, attracting $420 million in its debut week. SoFi Technologies became the first national bank to enable direct Bitcoin trading for 12.6 million users, marking a significant shift in mainstream crypto adoption.

Bitcoin's weekly realized profit has declined to $1-$2 billion since late September, down from over $4 billion in July when long-term holders intensified distribution, data show. CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju stated the asset remains under selling pressure but could represent a strategic buying opportunity for investors with conviction in the macroeconomic outlook. The moderation in sell-side activity suggests improved macro conditions could catalyze the next upward move.

Bitcoin is trading just above $106,000 after briefly reaching $107,000 on Monday before falling back below $105,000. Open interest in Bitcoin futures has declined to approximately $68 billion from $94 billion last month. US-listed Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of only $1 million on Monday, despite broader gains in equity and credit markets.

China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center has accused the United States of orchestrating the 2020 hack of the LuBian mining pool, which resulted in the theft of 127,000 Bitcoin. The agency alleges the operation used state-level hacking tools, with U.S. authorities seizing the coins in October 2025 under what Beijing describes as false law enforcement grounds. The disputed holdings are currently valued at approximately $13.3 billion.

Chinese officials have questioned potential U.S. involvement in a December 29, 2020 hack of the LuBian mining pool that resulted in the theft of 127,272 BTC, valued at approximately $3.5 billion at the time. The U.S. Department of Justice announced in October 2025 it had seized approximately 127,000 BTC and charged Chen Zhi, owner of Cambodia's Prince Group, in connection with the incident. The stolen cryptocurrency had remained inactive for nearly four years before the seizure.