Edited By
David Mรผller

As Bitcoin hovers around the $90,000 mark, the repercussions of the October 10th liquidation event continue to plague the crypto market. This shake-up saw Bitcoin's price plummet nearly 30% from its peak of approximately $126,000, effectively erasing this year's gains.
The fallout from that single-day event, which triggered over $19 billion in forced liquidations, has led to a noticeable decline in institutional demand.
Recently, major players like BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust faced significant withdrawals, with approximately $523 million exiting in one dayโits largest outflow since inception. This trend raises questions about the sustainability of institutional interest amid current market conditions.
"The largest liquidation event in history has sparked a deep concern among traders," noted one market analyst.
Despite the evident risks, many traders are still relying on high leverage to try to capitalize on potential market rebounds. Data from K33 Research highlights that open interest in Bitcoin perpetual futures surged by over 36,000 BTC last week, marking the most substantial weekly increase since April 2023.
Some commenters have pointed out that the relentless pursuit of buying the dip has led many into precarious positions. "People are getting caught in leverage traps without bouncing back after price drops," a trader warned.
K33 Research warns that the spike in leverage could mirror previous patterns where Bitcoin struggled following similar setups. In fact, data shows that in six of the last seven comparable instances over the past five years, Bitcoin experienced a decline over the following month, averaging around 16%.
The sentiments from various forums reveal mixed emotions toward the current state of Bitcoin:
Many see the current dip as a typical market correction: "-30%? A very usual dip."
On the other hand, some express a more critical view: "This was catastrophic."
As the market continues to absorb the shock from October, many are left wondering: Will institutional demand bounce back, or are we facing a prolonged slump?
๐ป Bitcoin has seen nearly $19 billion in liquidations this October.
๐ Institutional interest is dropping, with notable ETF outflows.
โ ๏ธ Increased open interest could lead to further market risks.
In summary, the combination of forced liquidations and increased leveraging signals a challenging environment for Bitcoin. Until institutional buyers return, the market may struggle to recover from these setbacks.
There's a strong chance the Bitcoin market may face a prolonged downturn in the coming months, as institutional demand has yet to show signs of recovery. Experts estimate around a 60% likelihood that prices could fall further, potentially testing the $70,000 support level. This estimate is based on historical patterns observed after similar liquidation events, where many traders were trapped in leveraged positions without a robust rebound. The ongoing decline in ETF inflows suggests that professionals are wary of entering the space, further dampening any immediate bullish sentiment.
The current situation with Bitcoin echoes what happened to the housing market after the 2008 financial crisis. Just as that market saw drastic price corrections and fears of a protracted slump, Bitcoin now sits at a crossroads of uncertainty. Investors were initially encouraged to pile in, only to find themselves trapped as prices dropped and sentiment soured. Like the real estate bubble bursting, the rush toward leverage in Bitcoin may create a wider ripple, forcing people to reassess their strategies in the face of market reality.