Bitcoin Loses $100K As Traders Turn Cautious

Rising dollar and risk-off sentiment weigh on crypto markets

Bitcoin loses $100K as push back above six figures didn’t last long.
By late Friday, the world’s largest cryptocurrency was changing hands at around $97,278, down 5.6% in the last 24 hours, taking the total market value to roughly $1.97 trillion for BTC.

What’s striking is that trading activity actually picked up while prices slipped; 24-hour volume jumped 54% to about $109 billion. That usually signals nervous positioning rather than fresh buying, with traders rushing to adjust exposure as volatility heats up.

A Familiar Battle at $100K

For now, the $100,000 mark remains a brick wall. Bitcoin has tested it several times this month but keeps running into selling pressure. The renewed strength in the U.S. dollar has made it tougher for risk assets to find footing, while steady Treasury yields have dampened speculative flows across markets.

Technical analysts view a decisive daily close above $100K as crucial. Without that breakout, the path of least resistance still leans lower, with $94K–$95K shaping up as the next area of support and even below towards $75K.

Fear Creeps Back, but not to Panic Yet

Sentiment across crypto desks has cooled, though not collapsed. Funding rates have turned mildly negative, a sign that short positions are increasing. On-chain data, however, suggests long-term holders remain calm, few older coins are moving, and exchange balances aren’t surging.

In short, traders are uneasy, but there’s no broad capitulation.

The Bigger Picture

Even with the latest correction, Bitcoin’s year-to-date gains still hover near 60%, far ahead of most traditional assets. Analysts describe this phase as “healthy digestion” rather than a reversal, a pause driven by macro jitters, not fading conviction.

Institutional flows through spot ETFs remain steady, and underlying network activity shows no sign of decline. For long-term investors, consolidation around $95K–$100K may end up building the base for the next advance.

What Comes Next

If Bitcoin can regain and hold above $100K with solid volume, momentum traders expect a quick drive toward $107.3K, where the next resistance cluster sits. Until then, expect more range-bound movement and headline-driven swings.

For now, the market looks caught between two forces, short-term caution and long-term confidence.

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and unpredictable. Always conduct your own research before making financial decisions.

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