Bitcoin dropped below the six-figure mark overnight in Asia, stirring fear across the crypto world. It’s the first time since May that BTC traded under $100,000, sending traders scrambling for explanations and setups.
The crypto market looks shaky, yet this might be one of those moments when panic meets opportunity.
The Overnight Drop
BTC slid to around $99,150 before bouncing slightly above $101,000. The move wiped out billions in leveraged positions, with over $1.3 billion in total liquidations in just 24 hours.
The fall triggered a wave of bearish headlines and fresh ETF outflows. Still, beneath the panic lies a familiar crypto rhythm — exaggerated fear when charts touch key psychological levels.
Analysts are watching the $88K – $95K zone as a potential bottom. Some traders think $100K might be a “trap,” catching shorts before a reversal.
The Fear Index Screams “Buy Zone”
The crypto fear and greed index has plunged into extreme fear territory. Historically, these moments have been great for long-term buyers.
Leverage has been flushed out, and higher-timeframe momentum indicators are resetting — usually a sign that the worst of a move is over.
Still, for leverage traders, confirmation is key. Bullish divergences or strong reversal candles would help signal that this bottom is ready to hold.
My Take: Not a Bear Market Yet
Personally, I haven’t sold all my BTC spot. My altcoin positions were trimmed last summer — I only hold some XPL and WLFI, and yes, they’re down bad. But my BTC spot sell orders are still sitting higher.
I don’t think we can call this a full bear market. Bulls still have defensive strength, and structurally Bitcoin hasn’t lost its long-term trend.
The longer we range, the harder it becomes to break to new highs, but this still looks like an extended consolidation. We just need a sign of life — higher highs, better volume, and renewed conviction.
If not, this could go down as the most boring bull market in history.
Spot vs. Leverage: Different Game Plans
Spot buyers can start dollar-cost averaging (DCA) here. When fear dominates and funding resets, those are often the best accumulation phases.
For leverage, I’m staying patient. I want to see confirmation — bullish structure, clear candle patterns, or momentum divergences before going in. Once those appear, the next leg up could be fast.
Related: Study our latest guide on Risk Management
Why Bitcoin Dropped Below 100K
A mix of factors collided:
- ETF Outflows: Spot BTC ETFs saw multiple days of redemptions, signaling profit-taking from institutions.
- Macro Pressure: A U.S. government shutdown and renewed tariff threats pushed investors away from risk assets.
- Leverage Reset: Excessive long positioning turned into cascading liquidations after the $100K level broke.
- Rate-Cut Fatigue: The Fed’s last rate cut might have come too late, and now traders see fewer catalysts ahead.
Together, these triggered a classic crypto flush — violent, fast, and emotional.
What’s Next for BTC
Key supports lie between $95K and $98K. If those levels hold, we could see a slow grind back to $105K – $110K.
Break below $95K and the next strong liquidity zone sits near $88K. But given how much leverage has been wiped, the odds of a deeper crash are fading.
This looks more like a reset than a trend break.
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Final Words
BTC below 100K is scary, but it’s also familiar territory. Every major run-up has been followed by a deep shakeout that scared retail investors before the next wave started.
Personally, I’m watching closely for bullish signs. Until then, I’ll keep stacking spot and waiting for confirmation on leverage.
The bottom might not be confirmed yet — but it’s getting close.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out our recent blog on Gold vs BTC.
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