While the headline prices are deep in the red, a subtle shift is occurring beneath the surface. Recent data suggests a "Tactical Rotation" among institutional players. While Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products have faced heavy redemptions this month, certain altcoins like Solana and XRP have actually attracted modest inflows. This suggests that while retail investors are capitulating out of fear, institutional money is looking for specific value plays and "liquidity islands." However, this capital dispersion is not yet enough to lift the overall market. The divide between long-term institutional accumulation and short-term retail panic remains the defining theme of early 2026.

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