Edited By
Laura Chen

A staggering $66 billion vanished from the crypto market overnight, as Bitcoin dragged itself just above the critical $100,000 mark. Altcoins suffered more severe losses, leading to a chaotic morning for traders in 2025.
Bitcoin dipped about 2%, back near $100,000, while Ethereum lingered in the mid-$3,000s. Altcoins were in worse shape, with most experiencing heavy declines. As one contributor noted, "Brace yourselves for a bloody weekend coming up."
Some smaller tokens did see gains despite the adversities. For example, Momentum (MOM) surged over 240%, signaling that not all was lost in this digital market turmoil. However, heavy liquidations followed, with over $2 billion in positions wiped out within 24 hours, mostly from optimistic bets on price increases.
Several factors contributed to this downturn:
Institutional Selling: Spot Bitcoin ETFs reported $578 million in net outflows, largely driven by institutional players like Fidelity, which saw a $357 million exit.
Fed Chair Powell's Comments: Signals regarding potential interest rate hikes raised alarms across the sector, leading many to pull back from riskier assets.
Strengthening Dollar: A stronger dollar historically contributes to downward pressure on cryptocurrencies.
As uncertainty looms, the Fear and Greed Index has plunged, dropping considerably from 58 just a month ago to the high-20s, a sentiment indicating deep fear among traders.
Interestingly, the community is divided on strategies moving forward:
Some express a wait-and-see approach, stating, "I will buy again when we have 3 up days in a row."
Others see an opportunity in the chaos, suggesting the market could flush out weak hands to pave the way for future gains, with sentiments pointing towards prices reaching $135,000.
"When your whole hope is dependent on lower interest rates, youβre in a bubble," remarked one trader, emphasizing the need for robust market fundamentals over speculative highs.
π½ $66 billion lost in crypto market overnight.
π $2 billion+ in liquidations predominantly from bullish positions.
Fear and Greed Index dropped to the high-20s, signaling a fearful market.
As the market grapples with these significant shifts, the question remains: is this just a temporary setback or the start of a larger downturn? Stay tuned for how these dynamics will play out in the days to come.
The coming days could see the crypto market taking two distinct paths. There's a strong chance Bitcoin may bounce back and ultimately stabilize around the $100,000 mark if supportive trends emerge. Experts estimate around a 60% probability of this, particularly if institutional players adjust their strategies or if the Fed provides clearer guidance on interest rates. Conversely, should market fears persist, a pullback to the mid-$80,000 range seems plausible, which might further shake investor confidence and lead to even more liquidations. The stakes are high, and market sentiments remain fragile as people vie for clarity amid growing uncertainty.
Looking back at the late 1990s dot-com bubble, one might find surprising echoes of today's crypto turmoil. Just as technology stocks soared on speculation without solid fundamentals, the current crypto landscape seems powered by inflated expectations and fragile market dynamics. The crash that followed saw many promising start-ups disappear, while a core of resilient companies eventually thrived. Todayβs crypto investors face a similar fork in the road, where the strong may survive, but only after enduring the shaking out of weaker players. Just as some tech firms emerged stronger, the same could apply in the current climate, with future market corrections molding a more sustainable landscape.