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Bitcoin's fall: from $126 k high to market meltdown

The Crypto Collapse | From $126K BTC to Turmoil in 45 Days

By

Jean-Pierre Dupont

Nov 21, 2025, 11:34 AM

Edited By

Sophia Rojas

2 minutes reading time

Graph showing Bitcoin's steep decline from a high point, highlighting the drastic drop in value over 45 days.
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Bitcoin's journey took a nosedive, plummeting sharply from a record high of $126,272 on October 6, 2025, leaving investors questioning the future of cryptocurrency. Following President Trump's alarming threat of 100% tariffs on China, a wave of liquidation hit, further destabilizing the crypto market.

Market Response to Instability

On October 10, the situation worsened, resulting in a staggering $19.2 billion in liquidations. Despite a trade deal between the U.S. and China on October 30, the selling pressure only intensified. Traders have faced an uphill battle with daily liquidations averaging nearly $1 billion.

Some analysts view this as a "mechanical bear market" driven primarily by excessive leverage rather than negative fundamentals.

Investor Sentiment on the Decline

Community sentiment reflects a mix of skepticism and caution:

  • Prices could drop further: "Bitcoin can go 85% down and it wouldnโ€™t be a surprise to me," one participant warned, expressing concern for the extreme volatility.

  • Previous trends indicate a shift: Another noted that historically, each bear market shows lesser percentage drops, suggesting a potential -70% drop could place Bitcoin at around $37K.

  • Mixed feelings about investing: "I started buying BTC near all-time highs. Not even joking," lamented another user, portraying the fear circulating amid traders.

"Itโ€™s just a bunch of people shooting from the hip / guessing."

Key Factors at Play

As liquidation pressures mount, several recurring themes emerge in discussions:

  • Fear of further decline: With many anticipating a significant downturn, uncertainty looms over future investments.

  • Frustration with market manipulation: Observers worry about the influence of wealthy players. "More people start to understand they are gambling with pennies in a shark's game"

  • Investor strategies questioned: Some traders argue that predicting drops is challenging; a sentiment echoed by many in user boards, underscoring the unpredictability of the crypto market.

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿ’ฅ $19.2 billion: Peak liquidation that sparked widespread panic.

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ โ€œDaily liquidations near $1 billionโ€ taken seriously by traders.

  • ๐ŸŽฒ โ€œItโ€™s all gambling and speculationโ€ summarizes the risky nature of crypto trading.

Amid these tough times for Bitcoin, the call for a more stable and regulated environment becomes even louder. With uncertainty in the air, many are left questioning: Can Bitcoin rebound, or is this a sign of deeper issues in the crypto realm?

The Road Ahead for Bitcoin

Thereโ€™s a strong likelihood that Bitcoin could stabilize in the coming months. Analysts suggest that if liquidations decrease, we may see Bitcoin consolidate around the $40,000 mark, particularly if major players start to inject liquidity back into the market. Experts estimate around a 60% chance of this recovery happening if traders manage to limit leverage. However, should the bearish sentiment persist, a sharp decline to the $30,000 range could also unfold, with nearly 40% probabilityโ€”especially if regulatory concerns continue to unsettle investors.

Echoes of the Dot-Com Era

In 2000, many tech companies saw their stock prices plummet as the internet bubble burst, leading to a prolonged period of skepticism about online ventures. Just as those early tech investors learned to sift through hype and reality, today's crypto traders are experiencing a similar shakeout. The aftermath led to a more robust digital landscape with regulated public companies. In this sense, the current cryptocurrency turmoil echoes that era: many believe the dust will settle, leaving behind more credible projects while purging the speculative excesses that led us here.