Bitcoin's $100K Fortress Crumbles: Is $90K The Next Stop?

The cryptocurrency market is currently navigating a period of significant turbulence, with major digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum experiencing substantial price corrections, while leading altcoins such as Dogecoin and Shiba Inu face pronounced bearish setups. This widespread market decline, influenced by macroeconomic factors and shifting sentiment, contrasts sharply with the underlying investor confidence observed in specific companies, notably Ripple.
Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, recently breached the critical $100,000 psychological threshold, hitting an intraday low of $99,941 on the OKX exchange before paring some losses to trade around $101,299 at press time. This plunge represents a more than 22% decline from its record peak achieved earlier this month, officially placing Bitcoin in correction territory. Analysts now place the odds of Bitcoin collapsing further to $90,000 this year at 51%, a significant increase from just 11% a month ago. This rapid deterioration in sentiment is largely attributed to a recent sell-off in US equities, fueled by growing fears of an 'artificial intelligence (AI) bubble.' Technically, Bitcoin's structure has notably weakened, breaking below its 200-day moving average at $108,000, which has now transitioned into a key resistance level. With little structural support remaining below, concentrated liquidation clusters are visible, and if the current zone around $101,500 to $100,000 gives way, accelerated downside movement is anticipated, with the next significant support expected between $97,000 and $98,000. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering around 35 indicates near-oversold conditions, though this often precedes further declines in a persistent bearish trend.
Ethereum has also entered a challenging phase, turning negative for 2025 and plunging below $3,300, marking a substantial 34% decline from its record peak. A critical technical breakdown occurred as ETH dropped sharply to about $3,518 after weeks of consolidation around the $3,700-$3,800 range, breaching its 200-day exponential moving average (EMA) for the first time in almost nine months. This breach is a structural breakdown, signaling a shift toward a more general bearish phase rather than merely a short-term correction, as the 200-day EMA has historically served as a robust launchpad for significant rallies. Growing selling volume coinciding with this breakdown indicates trader capitulation, not brief volatility. Shorter-term moving averages (50-day and 100-day) are now sloping downward and are significantly above current price levels, adding layers of overhead resistance. Ethereum's next significant support is located around $3,400, followed by a more crucial region around $3,200. However, strong buyer intervention at these levels appears unlikely given the lack of recovery from the 200-day EMA. The RSI hovering around 34 also suggests growing oversold pressure, which typically precedes further declines in bearish markets. If the 200-day EMA is not quickly reclaimed, ETH might be about to enter a lengthy correction phase that could extend well into 2026.
The altcoin market is also under considerable pressure. Dogecoin (DOGE) has formed its weakest setups in months, losing key support and setting the stage for a brutal 40% correction. Analyst Ali Martinez notes that DOGE now trades within a long-term descending channel, where rebounds consistently meet trapped sell supply. Projections suggest a dip to $0.16 is almost guaranteed this quarter, followed by a slow crawl into $0.14-$0.12 territory through the end of the year, potentially falling below $0.10 by the end of 2025. Shiba Inu (SHIB) similarly appears to be entering a targeted sellout phase, with technical indicators and price structure suggesting further declines. The token has broken below its short-term ascending trendline following multiple unsuccessful attempts to regain resistance near $0.0000105, indicating fresh selling pressure. The crucial support zone near $0.0000090 is perilously close, and a breakdown could hasten a greater exodus of holders. The 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day major moving averages are all stacked above the current price, indicating a fully developed bearish trend. If selling continues at its current pace, SHIB may drop toward the next psychological support at $0.0000080, and potentially even return to the $0.0000070 range if market sentiment does not stabilize.
In a notable contrast to the prevailing market downturn, Ripple Labs recently offered to repurchase $1 billion worth of shares at a substantial $40 billion valuation. According to reports, this tender offer saw the lowest participation rate yet, with many private shareholders choosing not to sell their stakes. This low participation is widely interpreted as a strong indicator of investor confidence in Ripple's long-term potential, particularly following the company's significant legal victory over the SEC and a period of aggressive acquisitions. This latest buyback follows previous initiatives, including a $285 million share repurchase in January 2024 at an $11.3 billion valuation and a larger $700 million tender offer in June, underscoring Ripple's strategic financial maneuvers amidst a fluctuating broader market.
Overall, the cryptocurrency market is navigating a turbulent period marked by significant price corrections across leading digital assets due to macroeconomic pressures and shifting investor sentiment. While Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu grapple with technical breakdowns and mounting selling pressure, Ripple stands out with a demonstration of robust internal investor confidence, highlighting a divergence within the broader crypto ecosystem as it faces challenging market conditions.
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