Why Are Bitcoin And Ethereum Prices Crashing Again?

bitcoinistPublished on 2025-12-26Last updated on 2025-12-26

Abstract

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are declining again, failing to see a seasonal rally amid sustained selling pressure from crypto ETFs. Data shows BlackRock deposited significant amounts of BTC and ETH into Coinbase for likely sales, contributing to outflows of $330 million in Bitcoin ETFs and $11 million in Ethereum ETFs this week. Institutional interest appears to be fading. Macro factors also play a role, as strong U.S. economic data reduces expectations of imminent Fed rate cuts. Analysis from CryptoQuant suggests Bitcoin may be entering a bearish phase rather than a temporary pullback, with further downside possible. BTC was trading around $87,700 at the time of writing.

The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are crashing again, with the crypto market failing to record a ‘Santa rally’ like other major assets. This comes as BTC and ETH continue to face significant selling pressure from the crypto ETFs, which are facing sustained outflows.

Why The Bitcoin And Ethereum Prices Are Crashing

The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are down again amid selling pressure from the BTC and ETH ETFs. According to Arkham data, BlackRock deposited 2,292 BTC ($200 million) and 9,976 ETH ($29 million) into Coinbase yesterday, likely to sell these coins. This marked the second time this week that the world’s largest asset manager had sent BTC and ETH to Coinbase in a bid to offload these coins.

Further data from Arkham shows that BlackRock deposited 2,838.78 Bitcoin ($255 million) and 29,928 Ethereum ($91.29 million) into Coinbase on December 22. These sell-offs come as the crypto ETFs continue to record significant outflows. The BTC ETFs have seen a total net outflow of $330 million this week, while the ETH ETFs have a weekly net outflow of $11 million.

This indicates that the institutional interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum is fading at the moment, which provides a bearish outlook for the largest crypto assets by market cap. A CoinShares report released earlier this week revealed that Bitcoin ETFs saw outflows of $460 million last week, while Ethereum ETPs saw outflows of $555 million.

From a macro perspective, the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have also continued to decline as the Fed looks unlikely to cut interest rates at the January FOMC meeting. The recent U.S. GDP and jobless claims reports have sparked a surge in the odds that the Fed will hold rates steady next month.

The Bear Market Risk Is Becoming More Relevant

A CryptoQuant analysis revealed that the bear market risk is becoming more relevant based on the Bitcoin Combined Market Index (BCMI). The BCMI is said to be below equilibrium at the moment but well above historical bottom zones. This suggests that there is still more room for the BTC price to drop to the downside.

Source: Chart from CryptoQuant

The CryptoQuant analysis stated that from a data-driven perspective, this opens the possibility that Bitcoin is transitioning into a bear phase and not just experiencing a pullback. If history repeats itself, BTC is expected to form a more durable bottom if the BCMI revisits the 2019 to 2023 levels. The analysis added that this is a scenario worth considering, as at this stage, the market appears to be in a downward transition rather than a completed reset.

Related Reading: Major Ethereum Metric Just Hit A New All-Time High – Can Price Reclaim $3,000?

At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $87,700, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

BTC trading at $87,768 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com

Related Questions

QWhat is the main reason for the recent crash in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices according to the article?

AThe main reason is significant selling pressure from crypto ETFs, which are experiencing sustained outflows, with institutional deposits from firms like BlackRock into Coinbase for likely selling.

QHow much Bitcoin and Ethereum did BlackRock deposit into Coinbase on December 22, as mentioned in the article?

ABlackRock deposited 2,838.78 Bitcoin ($255 million) and 29,928 Ethereum ($91.29 million) into Coinbase on December 22.

QWhat macro-economic factor is contributing to the decline in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices?

AThe Federal Reserve's unlikely move to cut interest rates at the January FOMC meeting, supported by recent U.S. GDP and jobless claims reports, is contributing to the decline.

QWhat does the CryptoQuant analysis suggest about Bitcoin's current market phase based on the BCMI?

AThe CryptoQuant analysis suggests that the Bitcoin Combined Market Index (BCMI) indicates Bitcoin may be transitioning into a bear phase rather than just a pullback, with potential for further downside.

QWhat were the total net outflows for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs this week as reported in the article?

ABitcoin ETFs saw a total net outflow of $330 million this week, while Ethereum ETFs had a weekly net outflow of $11 million.

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