Bitcoin Crashes, ETFs Dump, Traders Get Wrecked

Bitcoin

Bitcoin Crashes, ETFs Dump, Traders Get Wrecked – Is the Worst Still Ahead?

Bitcoin’s selloff accelerated on Friday as the world’s largest cryptocurrency slipped well under the psychological $100,000 barrier, signaling a clear shift in investor sentiment across both digital assets and traditional markets.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bitcoin plunged to $96,000, extending its retreat from October’s record high to more than 20%.
  • Over $1.1 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated in 24 hours, with BTC longs hit the hardest.
  • US Bitcoin ETFs recorded nearly $870 million in outflows – the second-largest daily withdrawal on record.
  • Market depth has thinned by roughly 30%, making BTC more vulnerable to sharp price swings.
  • Analysts warn of further downside unless Bitcoin reclaims the $101,000 level, with limited support until the low-$90K range.

Earlier today BTC briefly plunged toward $96,000 – taking its drop from October’s record high to more than 20%.

The latest downturn marks another chapter in what has become a bruising month for crypto. Leveraged traders continue to be wiped out at scale, and institutional flows — once the backbone of Bitcoin’s 2025 rally — are abruptly reversing.

Record Liquidations and ETF Outflows Hit the Crypto Market

Market volatility remains extreme. Following the historic Oct. 10 cascade that erased over $1 trillion from the total crypto market capitalization, liquidations have not slowed.

  • More than $1.1 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated over the last 24 hours
  • BTC long positions accounted for roughly half a billion dollars on their own
  • Nearly 250,000 traders were liquidated in a single day, according to CoinGlass

Institutional demand didn’t step in to cushion the move. US Bitcoin ETFs registered almost $870 million in net outflows on Thursday, the second-largest withdrawal since the products launched — a stark reversal from September’s aggressive accumulation trend.

Risk-off sentiment appears to be spreading from equities to crypto. A short-lived rebound in stock markets following the end of the US government shutdown evaporated as traders reassessed the likelihood of Federal Reserve rate cuts. With major economic reports delayed, uncertainty is weighing heavily on high-volatility assets.

Technical Signals Turn Bearish as Analysts Warn of a Key Breakdown

Charts from prominent analysts amplify concerns. BTC has broken below a long-standing ascending trendline that provided support throughout 2023 and 2024 — a level closely watched by swing traders and institutional desks.

Ali Martinez called the latest breakdown “NOT good”, highlighting the decisive breach of the multi-year support diagonal.

Michaël van de Poppe added that sentiment around Bitcoin’s four-year halving cycle is shifting: for many market participants, the assumption of a pre-halving peak is fueling panic selling.

He notes that a reclaim of $101,000 would be required to even consider the possibility of a bullish reversal, while sub-$100K makes further downside statistically more likely.

Meanwhile, data from Glassnode — shared by Trirem Trading — indicates that long-term holders have been realizing profits at a rate consistent with past market tops, though they argue this reflects normal capital rotation rather than panic-driven dumping.

Liquidity Retreats and Options Traders Prepare for Volatility

Beyond price action, trading conditions have deteriorated. According to Kaiko, Bitcoin’s market depth has fallen roughly 30% since the Oct. 10 wipeout, making the market more sensitive to large sell orders.

Options desks also confirm shifting positioning. Traders are increasingly turning to straddles and strangles, strategies designed to profit from volatility rather than directional movement. Demand for these neutral structures suggests that the market collectively expects large swings in either direction — and soon.

What Comes Next?

Bitcoin is now negative year-to-date when measured from President Trump’s inauguration, and analysts warn that little technical support exists until the low-$90,000 region. With ETF outflows accelerating, liquidity thinning, and risk aversion dominating macro markets, sentiment remains fragile.

However, a growing number of on-chain researchers maintain that the selloff is still within the bounds of a typical late-cycle shakeout. Long-term holders taking profit, leveraged excess being flushed, and volatility-hedging in options markets all resemble behavior seen ahead of previous major Bitcoin expansions.

For now, though, price action rules — and traders across the crypto spectrum are bracing for a turbulent weekend.


The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

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Author

Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.

Source: https://coindoo.com/bitcoin-crashes-etfs-dump-traders-get-wrecked-is-the-worst-still-ahead/