*By Jacqueline Corba*
The crypto world is turning to institutional investors to get the market out of its summer slump.
"This year, it's not *only* an asset that's only gone up, but it has great trading range, and that attracts a different type of institution where they see that volatility as an opportunity," Harbor Peak partner Paul Johnson said Thursday on Cheddar's CryptoCraze.
"But they are still, to some degree, trapped on the sidelines mostly for technical and institutional reasons ー not for any kind of market reasons," he said.
Bitcoin dropped Thursday below the $7,000 threshold, a mark it has hovered around for much of the summer. And it's a far cry from its all-time high close to $20,000 back in December of 2017.
"Short-term I think you are in a tight trading range through the fall," Johnson said.
The market is also anxiously awaiting approval of a Bitcoin ETF by the SEC. The agency rejected several proposals [last week] (https://cheddar.com/videos/sec-rejects-some-bitcoin-etf-proposals).
Johnson said the SEC is wary that its approval may signal investors to act too quickly.
"If they endorse an ETF they almost feel like they are telling retail and institutional investors this is a green light, and I think that makes them very nervous," he said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/why-many-institutional-investors-are-trapped-on-sidelines-of-crypto).
Inflation is outrunning growth, squeezing consumers and raising fear of a summer slowdown as high rates and sticky prices test spending and markets today now.
TIME's editorial director Emma Barker unpacks the 2026 100 Most Influential Companies list, spotlighting trends, AI impact, surprises, and leadership shifts.
From dire wolves to new species targets, scientists at Colossal Biosciences are using gene editing to revive extinction and reshape biodiversity as we know it.
R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Placer.ai, breaks down restaurant trends, pricing power, and which chains are winning this earnings season.
William Shatner and LifeWave CEO David Schmidt share lessons from his “world’s oldest intern” experience and offer advice for young professionals starting out.
