News View Non-AMP

Bitcoin Falls Below $70K as Short-Term Sell Pressure Mounts, Is Capitulation Imminent?

Published by
Steve Muchoki

Following a three-day streak above $70K, Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen below this resistance level, trading at $68,131 (down 3.96% in 24) at the time of writing.

Blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant shows that Bitcoin selling pressure among short-term holders (STHs), or people who hold BTC for less than 155 days, has recently spiked. 

In the last 24h, panic-led STHs have sold over 27,000 BTC for profit on exchanges. This marked the highest level observed in recent months, signaling an upcoming capitulation phase.

Another crypto analyst noted that Bitcoin formed a new death cross on March 3. On this day, the 50-day simple moving average crossed below the 200-day average, signaling bearish momentum.

Is Bitcoin entering a capitulation period?

The death cross has historically signalled an upcoming capitulation phase, followed by a bottoming-out phase. Crypto markets fell an average of 52%, 50%, and 46% following death crosses in 2014, 2018, and 2022, respectively.

CryptoQuant shows a Bitcoin Exchange Whale Ratio (EWR) of 0.54, suggesting whales are increasingly moving their crypto assets to exchanges.

Source: CryptoQuant

Additional metrics supporting the bearish case include Bitcoin’s open interest dropping by 3.94% in the past day to $45.13 billion, while liquidations mounted to $159.29 million. 

Just yesterday, Bitcoin spot ETF outflows reached $228 million, reversing a 3-day inflow streak. BlackRock, the largest issuer of crypto ETFs globally, has placed a 5% quarterly cap on withdrawals, seemingly overwhelmed after surging withdrawal requests. Institutional crypto lender BlockFills is preparing for “restructuring” due to a liquidity crisis brought on by $75 million in losses in early 2025.

Rising oil prices amid the prevailing US-Iran war, inflationary fears, and heightened unemployment rates have also triggered de-risking among investors.

What Next?

Technically, Bitcoin could consolidate between $68-$70K if it holds above the $67,757 swing low. Failure to attain this would risk a test of $65K.

The community also awaits broader market price reactions to the March 18 US Federal Reserve policy announcement.

Trust with CoinPedia:

CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:

All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:

Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Steve Muchoki

Steve is a crypto news writer with a passion for decoding market moves. He blends breaking blockchain news with sharp technical analysis and bold price predictions. From Bitcoin rallies to altcoin breakouts, Steve breaks it all down with clarity and insight. Whether you're a trader or just curious, his analysis keeps you ahead of the curve.

Recent Posts

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Support at $59,000 Could Decide the Next Move

Bitcoin remains in a bear market but may be entering its final stretch, according to…

July 26, 2026

XRP Ledger’s Big Upgrade Just Cleared Its Final Vote, Here’s What’s Coming

XRP has already dipped as low as $1.01 during the ongoing bear market pullback, reviving…

July 26, 2026

Morpho Whale Accumulation Grows, But Price Remains Range-Bound—Here’s What It Means

Morpho's price has maintained significant strength since the start of 2026, which has kept the…

July 26, 2026

Zcash (ZEC) Price Nears Major Breakout as $500 Liquidity Zone Comes Back Into Focus

After experiencing a significant sell-off, the bulls are trying hard to initiate a strong rebound…

July 26, 2026

Memecoin Mania Returns? PEPE, SHIB, and BOME Flash Bullish Breakout Signals

The memecoin sector is beginning to show signs of renewed strength after spending months in…

July 26, 2026

Top Cryptos Other Than Bitcoin and Ethereum Poised to Benefit From the CLARITY Act

The upcoming CLARITY Act is widely expected to reshape the U.S. crypto market by providing…

July 26, 2026