Cryptocurrency Markets Undergo Volatile Week Amid ETF Withdrawals and AI-Driven Equities Growth

The past week saw a mixed performance across various financial markets, with some experiencing significant growth while others suffered notable losses.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US logged their longest withdrawal period on record, with investors withdrawing approximately $2.97 billion from May 15 to May 29. This period surpassed the previous record of eight straight withdrawal sessions established earlier in 2025.

In contrast, traditional equity markets reached unprecedented levels, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence technologies. Tech-heavy indexes such as the Nasdaq Composite and MSCI All Country World Index appreciated significantly over the week, with the former advancing more than 8% during May.

However, the diplomatic stalemate with Iran and rising oil prices eliminated a potential macroeconomic catalyst that cryptocurrency markets had been anticipating. The exception within crypto markets was Hyperliquid's HYPE token, which bucked the trend with an 18.7% weekly surge to reach $73.17.