Look Out Below: Another 3% Drop In Bitcoin Brings This Token Toward a Key Level
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By Chris MacDonald – Dec 15, 2025 at 4:03PM ESTKey PointsNew macro concerns have investors in a sell first, ask questions later mood. Investors are now pricing in some near-term volatility tied to currency-related bets which may get unwound.Additionally, heavy liquidation activity and more U.S. economic data set to be released appears to have investors on edge. These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›CRYPTO: BTCBitcoinMarket Cap$1.7TToday's Changeangle-down(-3.30%) $2919.72Current Price$85607.00Price as of December 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM ETBitcoin's recent price decline has picked up steam in recent weeks.After minting a fresh all-time high in October of a little more than $126,000 per token, Bitcoin (BTC 3.30%) has since declined more than 30% to its current level below $86,000. Today's 3.1% slide over the past 24 hours (as of 3:30 p.m. ET) signals that bears aren't finished selling, even if this may have been considered an attractive entry point just a few months ago. ExpandCRYPTO: BTCBitcoinToday's Change(-3.30%) $-2919.72Current Price$85607.00Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.7TDay's Range$85427.00 - $89935.0052wk Range$74604.47 - $126079.89Volume51B Some Bitcoin bulls continue to accumulate large amounts of Bitcoin. No surprise-Strategy CEO Michael Saylor has once again hit the bid, this time buying another $980 million worth of the world's largest cryptocurrency last week. I'd expect to see those numbers increase if he lives up to his word, believing Bitcoin's price is ultimately headed higher over the long term. However, for those who may be more skeptical, let's examine the bearish catalysts driving today's decline and attempt to determine whether this downside could persist from here. What's creating all the noise? Source: Getty Images. Bitcoin's dominance in the crypto sector in terms of its market capitalization and simply its mind share among investors is impressive. Notably, there were also several catalysts that, on any other week, would have likely driven an upside move in this key digital asset. Among these key catalysts was an announcement that MetaMask (a key digital wallet provider) would add native support for Bitcoin, as part of its multi-chain growth strategy. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Bitcoin has continued to slump as a number of factors have come into play, many of which happen to be macro-related.Advertisement First, an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan has reignited concerns about the stability of the global financial system. The so-called Yen carry trade, which has allowed hedge funds and other institutional investors to borrow cheap capital by shorting Japanese bonds (often to buy U.S. stocks or higher-growth assets like Bitcoin), could unwind further. If this occurs, a repeat of the prior Yen carry trade debacle could be on the way. Currently, investors appear to be preparing for such a scenario. Additionally, economic data expected to be released in the U.S. and heavy liquidation activity on-chain have created an environment where some more conservative or risk-averse investors may be looking to limit their exposure to Bitcoin. Whether that means taking gains or harvesting losses before the end of the fiscal year, a rush appears to be building among investors looking to rebalance for 2026. About the AuthorChris MacDonald is a contributing Motley Fool cryptocurrency analyst covering digital assets and blockchain companies. Chris has more than 10 years of professional experience in venture capital and corporate finance. He holds an MBA in finance from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business.TMFChrisMacDRead NextDec 15, 2025 •By Dominic BasultoShould You Forget Bitcoin and Buy Bitcoin Cash Instead?Dec 15, 2025 •By Alex CarchidiGot Bitcoin or XRP? Do This 1 Thing Right Now or Risk Disaster.Dec 15, 2025 •By Josh CableBitcoin Treasuries Are Up 448% Over the Past 2 Years, but Are They a Smart Investment?Dec 15, 2025 •By Neil PatelPrediction: Bitcoin Will Be Worth $270,000 in 5 YearsDec 15, 2025 •By Neil PatelIs Bitcoin the Most Compelling Digital Asset for Long-Term Investors?Dec 14, 2025 •By Alex CarchidiWhich Cryptocurrency Has More Upside? Bitcoin vs. Cardano