Why the Crypto Market Is Crashing Today and Where Bitcoin Could Head Next

The global crypto market witnessed a sharp downturn in the last 24 hours, as Bitcoin price and Ethereum prices tumbled under the weight of mounting sell pressure and investor fear. The sudden decline follows a perfect storm of massive ETF outflows, infrastructure disruption from an AWS outage, and over $200 million in leveraged liquidations. With Bitcoin slipping below $108,000 and altcoins flashing red, traders are bracing for a volatile week ahead. Market sentiment has quickly flipped from optimism to caution as liquidity drains and macro uncertainty intensifies.

ETF Outflows Drain Institutional Liquidity

Data from market trackers confirmed that spot Bitcoin ETFs—which have been critical in sustaining institutional inflows—saw over $1.23 billion in outflows this week, the steepest since early summer. On Friday alone, investors withdrew more than $366 million, signalling a significant shift in sentiment among large funds.

Analysts say the move reflects a broader risk-off tone across financial markets, driven by rising bond yields and uncertainty surrounding U.S. economic data. With ETFs no longer absorbing supply, the market’s structural support weakened, allowing downward momentum to accelerate.

AWS Outage Disrupts Coinbase and Trading Platforms

Further intensifying the sell-off, a major AWS outage disrupted operations at Coinbase and several decentralized platforms, limiting access and liquidity during peak trading hours. Such disruptions typically widen spreads and create execution delays, triggering panic selling and algorithmic liquidations. For many traders, this episode underscored crypto’s ongoing reliance on centralised infrastructure despite its decentralized ethos.

Over $200 Million in Leveraged Longs Wiped Out

According to CoinGlass data, more than $213 million worth of positions were liquidated within 24 hours, primarily long positions on Bitcoin and Ethereum. The cascade of liquidations pushed Bitcoin briefly down to $107,552, the lowest in two weeks. Analysts warn that a break below $101,700 could confirm a deeper bearish phase as automated sell triggers continue to dominate short-term trading activity.

Conclusion

The ongoing crypto correction highlights the market’s fragility amid a blend of macroeconomic headwinds, technical breakdowns, and liquidity shocks. While short-term volatility remains intense, investors are watching this week’s U.S. CPI report for clues on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move. A cooler inflation print could offer relief and spark a rebound. But for now, sentiment remains fragile—and the crypto market stands at a crossroads, balancing between renewed accumulation and a potential slide into a broader risk-off phase.