Bitcoin rose as high as $115,800 in an attempt to recover after last week’s sharp decline; however, it could not maintain this level. The resistance encountered at the beginning of the week corresponded to the upper limit of the bearish channel that has been followed since July. The failure of the upside breakout increased the selling pressure again and led the price to retreat rapidly. The cryptocurrency, which was weak throughout the week, fell to the critical support at an average of $106,000 on the last trading day of the week.
This level is not only the lower boundary of the current channel but also the exit point of the last uptrend that started after the pause in the May–June period. Daily closes below $106,000 could deepen the technical sell-off. In this case, Bitcoin’s next stop could be the $101,000–99,500 range. On the other hand, if the price holds above $106,000, it can be interpreted as “the support line is maintained” for investors and may initiate a reaction movement similar to the rise in the August–September period.
Behind the sharp fluctuation in recent days, there are not only technical factors but also a series of macro developments. In particular, a total of $19 billion in leverage purges in the crypto futures markets following last week’s decline clearly demonstrated the fragility of the market. Such rapid liquidations undermine confidence in derivatives markets and cause investors to panic and sell on the spot side.
Safe Havens Come to the Fore as Institutional Demand Weakens
Outflows from Bitcoin ETFs clearly show that institutional demand is waning. The shrinking risk appetite is not limited to the crypto market; rising bond yields and geopolitical tensions are also pushing investors toward traditional safe assets. In the short term, this clouds the appeal of risky assets like Bitcoin.
In contrast, gold prices continue to rise strongly. Gold hit new highs today, rising above $4,370. This move is supported by uncertainties stemming from the Fed’s upcoming rate cut and US–China trade tensions. Bitcoin, sometimes referred to as digital gold, has been struggling with sharp corrections as the traditional safe haven shines. However, historically, Bitcoin has sometimes stood out as a hedge in times of economic uncertainty thanks to its fixed supply and decentralized nature. For this reason, if possible profit sales and geopolitical tensions decrease, there may be a buying appetite in Bitcoin again.
Political Uncertainties in the US and the Fed Effect
Developments in the US increase the pressure on the crypto market. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his plan to host Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy immediately afterward brought geopolitical tensions back to the agenda. These developments strengthened investors’ risk aversion, causing Bitcoin to fall to 15-week lows.
On the other hand, the release of some economic data is delayed due to the federal government shutdown in the US. The latest Beige Book report pointed to a slowdown in the pace of growth. Nevertheless, Fed Chairman Powell continues to signal an easing in monetary policy. Markets expect another rate cut in December. If this expectation materializes, increased liquidity conditions could create a supportive backdrop for Bitcoin.
The main threshold that will shape the market in the short term remains the $106,000 level. Daily closes below this region could carry the decline to the $101,000–99,500 range. However, if the price stabilizes above this level, the market may regain strength and see a move toward the $115,000 band.
The macro outlook will be decisive in the medium term. The Fed’s continuation of the cut process may increase liquidity and provide support to crypto markets. However, if geopolitical risks escalate, US bond yields remain high, and institutional outflows continue, Bitcoin may remain under pressure for a while.
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Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only. It is not intended to encourage the purchase of assets in any way, nor does it constitute a solicitation, offer, recommendation or suggestion to invest. I would like to remind you that all assets are evaluated from multiple perspectives and are highly risky, so any investment decision and the associated risk belongs to the investor. We also do not provide any investment advisory services.
