Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana started the week higher as easing geopolitical tensions helped revive risk appetite among investors. Bitcoin traded near $66,000, while Ethereum and Solana posted gains, reflecting a broader market recovery. Industry experts argue that recent crypto ETF outflows reflect a maturing market rather than fading interest in digital assets, suggesting a shift in investor behavior towards long-term holding.

A Different 'Crypto Winter'

Speaking on CNBC’s ETF Edge, CoinDesk Indices President David LaValle noted that the recent selloff and roughly $3 billion in outflows from Bitcoin exchange-traded products have led some investors to question the future of crypto. However, he argued that ETF flows are behaving similarly to those seen in traditional asset classes, serving both buy-and-hold investors and institutional holders. LaValle described the current downturn as a different type of crypto winter compared with previous cycles, focusing on timing re-entry rather than doubting the sector's future.

Vetify Director of Research Todd Rosenbluth noted that many investors continued holding Bitcoin ETFs despite the market correction. The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ: IBIT) recently remained in net inflow territory despite BTC decline earlier this year. The NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BATS: BTCI) attracted roughly $500 million of inflows this year through last week, making it one of the most popular Bitcoin-linked ETFs in 2026.

Adoption Still In Early Innings

LaValle argued that Bitcoin ETF adoption remains surprisingly early despite spot Bitcoin ETFs being available for more than two years. He noted that many large advisory platforms and model portfolios have yet to fully incorporate Bitcoin products. As an example, he pointed to Morgan Stanley’s recently launched Bitcoin ETF offering, which gathered more than $250 million in assets despite entering the market after several established competitors. "It’s super early," LaValle said.

Over the past week, BTC and ETH have gained around 7% while SOL is trading 13% higher. Besides BTC and ETH, LaValle highlighted SOL as a network attracting growing developer activity and institutional attention. He noted that future crypto investing may increasingly focus on utility and real-world applications rather than purely speculative trading.

Peter Schiff, a prominent critic of Bitcoin, conceded during a debate that the cryptocurrency is not going to zero. The admission came during a discussion moderated by Fox Business, where Schiff faced off against Anthony Pompliano, CEO of Professional Capital Management. Pompliano framed the concession as a notable victory for proponents of the digital asset.

During the exchange, Pompliano challenged Schiff to wager on whether Bitcoin would still exist in a decade. "That's an easy bet. If you think it's going to go away, let's make a little bet," Pompliano said. Schiff responded, "Well, I can't. It's not going to go to zero. Maybe."

Following the debate, Pompliano took to X to highlight the moment. "I got Peter Schiff to admit Bitcoin is not going to zero on national television. Next, he will reveal he owns a bunch of Bitcoin too…," Pompliano posted. Schiff did not respond to requests for comment regarding the exchange.

Schiff has a long history of skepticism toward Bitcoin, frequently labeling it a 'bubble' and declaring it 'dead' on numerous occasions. He leads the pack in Bitcoin obituaries, having declared the cryptocurrency deceased as many as 22 times. Despite this, he has previously expressed regret over not purchasing Bitcoin in its early days, citing its profit potential in a March 2024 interview.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $66,399.08, representing a 0.98% increase over the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro.