Bitcoin’s price plunged below the $100,000 threshold on Tuesday, marking its lowest level in three months and extending a 20% decline from October’s record high of $126,000. The drop triggered widespread liquidations across the crypto market, with over 339,000 traders wiped out and $1.3 billion in positions closedCoinspeaker.
This sharp downturn was fueled by several factors. Large-scale sell-offs by whale investors intensified volatility, while a Supreme Court case challenging Trump’s tariff powers spooked both equity and crypto markets. Spot Bitcoin ETFs also saw their fourth straight day of outflows, with $187 million pulled from funds like IBIT and GBTC, signaling profit-taking and risk aversionCoinspeaker.
The broader crypto ecosystem followed suit. Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin all posted double-digit losses, reinforcing fears of a short-term correction. Technical indicators like the Chaikin Money Flow also showed sustained capital outflows, suggesting traders are exiting rather than accumulating positions.
Bitcoin fell more than 5% Tuesday, breaking below the $100,000 mark for the first time since early October’s record high of $126,000. The drop continues a broader slide that began during last month’s “Black Friday” crypto sell-off, marking Bitcoin’s first negative October since 2018.
Whether this signals a deeper bear phase or a temporary correction remains uncertain. But investor sentiment has clearly shifted. According to CoinMarketCap, the crypto fear and greed index flipped from neutral to fear this week, suggesting traders are pulling back as volatility intensifies.
Bitcoin’s fall below $100,000 underscores the asset’s inherent volatility and cyclical nature. After months of upward momentum, the recent 5% drop reflects a typical correction phase that often follows extended rallies in the crypto space. Whether this marks the start of a deeper downturn or a temporary pullback remains uncertain, but the shift has already rattled investor sentiment.
For traders and long-term holders, this moment serves as a reminder of crypto’s unpredictability. Market indicators like the fear and greed index have turned bearish, suggesting caution is replacing confidence across digital asset portfolios.
Bitcoin’s drop below $100,000 the first since May has coincided with a wave of investor exits from spot crypto ETFs. BlackRock’s IBIT, Fidelity’s FBTC, and Grayscale’s GBTC collectively saw $1.3 billion in outflows since October 29, according to SoSoValue. Ethereum ETFs also lost $500 million during the same period, signaling broad retreat across digital asset funds.
The sell-off hit altcoins even harder. Ether and Solana plunged 8% or more, while crypto-linked equities like MicroStrategy, Coinbase Global, and Robinhood closed down at least 6%, with losses continuing after hours. The synchronized decline highlights growing investor caution amid rising volatility.
Still, some bulls are buying the dip. Strategy, co-founded by Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor, disclosed the acquisition of 397 BTC between October 27 and November 2, at an average price of $114,771 an aggressive move that contrasts with broader market sentiment.