Bitcoin is entering a critical phase in November 2025 after posting its first negative October in seven years, with the world’s largest cryptocurrency sliding below $105,000 as a confluence of macroeconomic headwinds and institutional outflows weighs heavily on market sentiment. The decline marks a dramatic shift from the bullish narrative that dominated much of 2025, when Bitcoin surged past $126,000 to reach all-time highs before giving back significant ground in a matter of weeks.
TL;DR
- Bitcoin posted its first negative October since 2018, breaking a years-long streak of positive “Uptober” performance
- BTC has fallen from $126,000 all-time highs to trade near $100,000 in early November, a decline of roughly 20%
- Yen carry trade unwinding and Fed rate cut disappointment are driving macro pressure
- U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded significant net outflows as institutional investors de-risk
- Despite the selloff, some major holders like MicroStrategy continue accumulating Bitcoin
October’s Disappointment Sets the Stage
Bitcoin’s October performance was a bitter pill for bulls who had grown accustomed to the coin’s reliable “Uptober” gains. The cryptocurrency finished the month in negative territory for the first time since 2018, defying the seasonal pattern that had become something of an article of faith among traders. By November 8, the damage was evident: Bitcoin had shed approximately 17% from its October peak, trading in the $100,000 to $105,000 range as selling pressure showed few signs of abating.
The October selloff was not driven by a single catalyst but rather a cascade of overlapping factors. Japan’s unexpected move to tighten monetary policy sent ripples through global markets, forcing investors to unwind yen-funded carry trades that had been a major source of leverage in risk assets including Bitcoin. The yen carry trade unwind hit crypto particularly hard because a significant portion of leveraged long positions in the space had been funded through cheap Japanese borrowing.
Macro Headwinds Intensify
Perhaps the most significant driver of the current downturn is the shifting landscape of Federal Reserve expectations. Throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2025, traders had been pricing in a December interest rate cut, a prospect that had provided a tailwind for risk assets. However, persistently strong U.S. labor market data and sticky services inflation forced a dramatic reassessment. By early November, the probability of a December rate cut had plummeted, triggering broad risk-off flows across equities, crypto, and other high-beta assets.
The dollar strengthened as rate cut expectations faded, creating additional headwinds for Bitcoin and other dollar-denominated assets. Treasury yields climbed, making fixed-income alternatives more attractive relative to volatile crypto holdings. For institutional investors managing multi-asset portfolios, the calculus shifted decisively away from risk in November.
ETF Outflows Signal Institutional Caution
The wave of selling is clearly visible in the flows of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have transitioned from consistent net inflows to significant net outflows. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which had been the dominant vehicle for institutional Bitcoin exposure, saw its holdings decrease by approximately 24,000 BTC during November alone. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) also experienced varying degrees of capital withdrawal.
The ETF outflows are particularly noteworthy because these vehicles have become the primary mechanism through which traditional finance accesses Bitcoin exposure. When flows turn negative, it signals that the institutional cohort that drove much of Bitcoin’s 2024 and early 2025 rally is actively reducing exposure, not just pausing new purchases. JPMorgan, however, bucked the trend somewhat, increasing its holdings of BlackRock’s IBIT even as broader flows turned negative.
MicroStrategy Swims Against the Current
Not all major holders are heading for the exits. MicroStrategy, now rebranded as Strategy, has continued its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy despite the downturn. The company increased its fundraising efforts for its Bitcoin acquisition program during November and purchased more than 8,000 BTC during the month, bringing its total holdings to approximately 650,000 BTC. This continued accumulation, even as the company’s own stock price fell more than 32% during November, signals a firm conviction in Bitcoin’s longer-term trajectory.
The contrast between MicroStrategy’s buying and the broader institutional selling highlights a growing divergence in market views. Some see the current pullback as a healthy correction in an ongoing bull market, while others interpret it as the beginning of a more prolonged downturn that could see Bitcoin test lower support levels.
Crypto Treasury Firms Face Pressure
The November selloff has put particular pressure on publicly traded companies that hold significant Bitcoin treasuries. As BTC prices declined, the market value of these companies’ holdings fell sharply, compressing the premium at which their shares trade relative to their net asset value. Crypto treasury firms have found themselves in a difficult position, watching both their Bitcoin holdings and their equity valuations decline simultaneously.
Forbes reported that Trump’s Bitcoin investment was poorly timed, purchased near the top of the market. Meanwhile, Trump Media and Technology Group realized gains from Bitcoin-related securities options, demonstrating that some entities managed to lock in profits before the full extent of the selloff materialized.
Futures Market Shows Deleveraging
The Bitcoin futures market has provided additional evidence of the risk-off environment. Open interest in BTC futures declined steadily throughout early November as leveraged positions were unwound. The funding rate on perpetual futures, which had remained stubbornly positive even as prices declined, showed signs of stress, briefly dipping into negative territory on several occasions — a sign that the remaining positioning was shifting from bullish to neutral or bearish.
The deleveraging event has been orderly so far, without the kind of cascading liquidation that characterized previous major drawdowns. However, analysts warn that if Bitcoin breaks below the $90,000 support level, a more aggressive round of forced liquidations could amplify the downside move significantly.
Technical Outlook and Key Levels
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin’s slide below $105,000 has opened the door to further downside toward the $90,000 to $95,000 range, which represents the next major zone of structural support. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved into oversold territory on the daily chart, suggesting that a short-term bounce is possible, but the broader trend remains bearish as long as Bitcoin trades below the $110,000 resistance level.
On-chain metrics paint a mixed picture. While long-term holders appear to be largely holding steady, short-term holders who bought near the top are facing significant unrealized losses. The Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) for short-term holders has dropped below 1.0, indicating that these investors are selling at a loss — typically a sign of capitulation that can precede a market bottom.
Why This Matters
Bitcoin’s November decline is significant not just for its magnitude but for what it reveals about the maturing crypto market’s relationship with traditional macro forces. The days when Bitcoin traded in isolation from global economic conditions are firmly over. Yen carry trades, Fed policy expectations, Treasury yields, and ETF flows are now the primary drivers of Bitcoin price action. For investors, this means that crypto market analysis must increasingly incorporate traditional macroeconomic frameworks alongside on-chain metrics and technical analysis. The question heading into December is whether the current correction is a temporary reset in an ongoing bull cycle or the start of a deeper bear market that could last well into 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
The 20% drop from $126K to $100K in a matter of weeks shows how fragile the leveraged setup was. Yen carry unwinding forced liquidation cascades that no technical support level could hold against. Pure forced selling does not care about your Fibonacci levels.
Spot on about forced selling. I watched the liquidation cascades in real time on Coinglass. Over $2B in leveraged longs wiped in 48 hours. No chart pattern survives that kind of volume.
First negative October since 2018. The “Uptober” narrative was one of the most overused trading maxims in crypto and it finally failed. Anyone who positioned purely based on seasonal patterns got wrecked. The yen carry trade unwind was the real killer here.
MicroStrategy continuing to buy through this selloff is either the greatest conviction trade in history or the most dangerous averaging down. Their cost basis must be getting stretched thin at this point. The institutional ETF outflows tell a very different story.
Saylor buying the dip is consistent with his stated strategy. Whether it is wise depends on your time horizon. If BTC is above $200K by 2027, this November dump will look like a footnote.