Cryptocurrencies Face Massive Selling Pressure, Bitcoin and Ethereum Pushed to Weekly Lows

The cryptocurrency market is once again entering a volatile phase as selling activity increases across various sectors. Bitcoin (BTC) is stuck in a downward momentum, reaching its lowest level in recent days, while altcoins are also experiencing similar pressure. This development is part of a broader wave of sell-offs in the global market, particularly involving tech stocks and alternative financial instruments.

Continued Crypto Sell-Off Amid Stock Market Turbulence

Trading activity in cryptocurrencies has intensified alongside significant declines in equity markets. This weakness includes stocks in AI, software, and private equity sectors, creating a domino effect that dampens investor sentiment across the digital asset industry. These conditions indicate potential underlying issues with market liquidity and overall economic health.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana Prices Drop Significantly

Bitcoin has fallen to around $70,690 in recent trading, reflecting ongoing selling pressure. Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $2,140, while Solana (SOL) stands at $91.05. These top three cryptocurrencies exhibit high volatility, with 24-hour fluctuations reaching 4-6 percent.

Earlier in the day, Bitcoin briefly touched a low of $67,510, raising deeper concerns about market momentum. This decline is not isolated—tech stocks like Shopify, Adobe, and Salesforce also suffered losses between 7-12 percent. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV) fell 5 percent during the session and has declined nearly 28 percent since its October peak.

Liquidity Crisis and Economic Conditions Threats

Weakness in the private equity sector adds complexity to the situation. Asset management giants like Blackstone, Ares Capital, KKR, and Apollo all experienced losses of 6-10 percent. This sell-off was triggered by reports from BlackRock’s private debt funds in early January, indicating a 19 percent decline in net asset value—signaling tighter liquidity conditions than previously estimated.

Digital asset-related stocks also felt the impact. Galaxy Digital posted the largest loss at 18 percent following earnings reports, while MicroStrategy, Coinbase, Circle, and Bullish declined between 5-7 percent during trading.

Crypto Winter: In-Depth Analysis from Experts

Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, describes the current market condition as a “full crypto winter,” similar to the downtrends seen in 2018 and 2022. He states that this is not just a market correction but a true bearish phase that has been ongoing since January 2025.

“This is a full crypto winter, like in 2022,” Hougan said in his analysis. However, there is an optimistic note—historically, crypto bear phases tend to last about 13 months. If this phase started in January 2025, then cryptocurrencies are now within weeks of potentially hitting a bottom.

Hougan’s experience observing previous crypto winters gives him a unique perspective. “The end of the crypto winter feels very much like now: despair, urgent needs, and loss of enthusiasm. But this is also when opportunities tend to emerge,” he wrote.

Recovery Signals and Crypto Outlook

Despite the still subdued atmosphere, some positive signs of recovery are emerging. After US President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause in military operations in Iran’s energy infrastructure, Bitcoin surpassed the $70,000 level. Altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin rose about 5 percent, while broader stock indices—S&P 500 and Nasdaq—gained 1.2 percent each, indicating a flow of positive capital.

Analysts conclude that the next move for cryptocurrencies heavily depends on oil price stability and geopolitical developments. If conditions remain stable, Bitcoin could retest the $74,000–$76,000 range. Conversely, if pressure increases, crypto prices might dip back into the mid-$60,000s. This dynamic shows that crypto recovery is influenced not only by internal market factors but also by broader global economic conditions.