Traders turn to bitcoin as altcoins slide and ETF flows waver
Crypto traders are rotating into bitcoin as altcoins decline and ETF flows show signs of instability, according to CoinDesk's day-ahead market outlook for Oct. 21, 2026. The shift suggests risk appetite is narrowing toward the largest asset while smaller tokens lose ground. Traders would watch whether ETF flow weakness persists, since sustained outflows could pressure prices beyond altcoins and test bitcoin's role as a relative safe haven.