Bitcoin Climbs Past $81K Before Retreating as Liquidations Hit $1 Billion

Bitcoin extended its decline for a fourth straight session, briefly dropping below $81,000 before recovering. The wider crypto market also faced mounting pressure, with its total capitalization falling below $2.8 trillion and reaching a one-month low. Market participants are now watching whether Bitcoin can maintain its footing amid inconsistent spot ETF flows, widespread liquidations, and a challenging macroeconomic environment.

The $80,000 mark has become a crucial level for Bitcoin, serving as both a psychological support zone and a key indicator of the strength of its recent bullish trend. Although BTC has not confirmed a break below this threshold, persistent selling pressure has made the level increasingly important. Spot Bitcoin ETF flows are also influencing market sentiment, but daily fund movements alone cannot guarantee that prices will hold.

Spot Bitcoin ETF demand has weakened over recent sessions. Following a slowdown in inflows, the funds recorded net outflows across four consecutive trading days, reducing a source of buying pressure that had previously supported the market.

Macroeconomic uncertainty is creating additional headwinds. Rising U.S. Treasury yields, a stronger dollar, and increasing risk aversion are weighing on volatile assets as investors reassess their exposure. These developments can dampen Bitcoin demand even in the absence of a specific negative event within the crypto industry.

Derivatives activity has added to the selling pressure. More than 180,000 traders were liquidated within 24 hours, pushing total cryptocurrency liquidations beyond $1 billion. Long positions accounted for approximately $940 million of the total.

As leveraged bullish positions were forcibly closed during the downturn, liquidations intensified the decline. This also highlights how unwinding leveraged trades can amplify Bitcoin’s losses without requiring an equivalent amount of direct selling in spot markets.

Bitcoin Price Outlook: $80,000 Becomes a Critical Threshold

Bitcoin recently slipped below $82,000 before climbing back above it. However, the difficulty in sustaining higher prices has raised concerns about the resilience of its bullish market structure. The $80,000 level now represents a major support threshold that could determine whether the current correction deepens.

A decisive move below $80,000 could undermine the higher-low pattern that has remained in place since July. If selling continues, lower support areas may come into focus, although these represent potential price zones rather than guaranteed downside targets.

The downturn has affected other leading cryptocurrencies as well. Major digital assets declined between 3% and 5% over 24 hours, with Ethereum trading near $2,400, BNB around $720, and XRP close to $1.40. The broad decline suggests investors are reducing risk across the crypto market rather than selling Bitcoin alone.

A sustained recovery above $82,000, combined with a stabilization in ETF flows, could ease immediate concerns. However, the brief rebound does not yet confirm that the market has found a firm footing or that institutional buying demand is returning.

Downside risks would increase if Bitcoin breaks below $80,000 while ETF outflows continue, leveraged long liquidations persist, Treasury yields climb, and the dollar strengthens further. If these pressures coincide, the $75,000 region could emerge as a potential area of support.

For now, $80,000 remains a critical level to defend rather than a confirmed breakdown point. Traders will be monitoring Bitcoin’s ability to sustain prices above $82,000 and whether selling pressure begins to subside. Without clearer signs of stabilization, persistent ETF outflows and leveraged positioning could leave BTC vulnerable to another test of its support structure.