Bitcoin Slides to Three-Week Low Under $77K Amid Bear Dominance

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-05-18Last updated on 2026-05-18

Abstract

Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped to a three-week low below $77,000, erasing gains made since early May. This decline follows a recent surge to 13-week highs above $83,000, driven by optimism around US crypto regulation and strong ETF inflows. Over $600 million in long positions were liquidated in the past day, with $190 million from Bitcoin. Analysts point to a negative technical divergence as BTC faced resistance above $82,000. Key support is seen at $76,000; a break below could target the $71,000-$73,000 zone or even the $65,000 local low. Geopolitical tensions, including US-Iran relations and oil supply concerns, contributed to broader market volatility.

In the last three days, the price of bitcoin (BTC) has fallen to a three-week low of $76,500, according to data from CMC. This wipes out all advances that bitcoin has achieved since May 1. Losses follow days of gains for the Bitcoin/USD pair, which surged to 13-week highs above $83,000 on the strength of optimism surrounding the US CLARITY Act and heavy inflows into spot exchange-traded funds. At the time of writing, BTC is trading at $76,829, down 1.66% as per data from CMC.

On Sunday, American President Donald Trump warned that the “clock is ticking” and made new threats against Iran over the peace agreement’s delays. In the last day, there has been a $607 million surge in long liquidations, with $190 million of the total coming from Bitcoin long liquidations.

With this, the total amount liquidated in the last 24 hours reached $677 million. While oil prices were volatile, WTI rose more than 3% in a few hours to $104/bbl before retracing to $101. With Trump’s apparent impatience with the peace negotiations reaching a stalemate and the expiration of a waiver for Russian oil deliveries adding to supply concerns around the still-disrupted Strait of Hormuz, WTI climbed beyond $103.

Fears of a Deeper Market Correction

Bitcoin investors, meanwhile, studied the technical setup in hopes of predicting the cryptocurrency’s future price movement. We are now seeing a downturn, according to analysts, since there was a negative divergence from the relative index when BTC/USD encountered resistance above $82,000.

According to crypto expert Michael van de Poppe, the market should avoid a catastrophic collapse if the $76,000 level of immediate support remains intact. Should this region be penetrated, further support levels to keep an eye on include the $71,000–73,000 demand zone and the local low at $65,000. The objective of an inverted V-shaped pattern is at $65,000, which is also the local low. From the current pricing, this is a 16% decrease.

Highlighted Crypto News Today:

Kraken Cuts 150+ Jobs as AI Reshapes Crypto Exchange Operations

TagsAltcoinBitcoin

Related Questions

QWhat is the current price of Bitcoin according to the article, and how much has it fallen from its recent high?

AAt the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $76,829, which is down 1.66%. This represents a fall from its recent 13-week high above $83,000, wiping out gains since May 1.

QAccording to analyst Michael van de Poppe, what key price level must Bitcoin hold to avoid a deeper collapse?

AAccording to crypto expert Michael van de Poppe, the key immediate support level Bitcoin must hold to avoid a catastrophic collapse is $76,000.

QWhat major geopolitical event is mentioned as a factor potentially influencing market volatility?

AThe article mentions new threats from U.S. President Donald Trump against Iran over delays in a peace agreement. This, along with the expiration of a waiver for Russian oil deliveries, is adding to supply concerns and contributing to volatility in oil prices, which is often linked to broader market risk sentiment.

QHow much in total was liquidated from the crypto market in the 24 hours prior to the article's writing?

AIn the last 24 hours, a total of $677 million was liquidated from the crypto market.

QWhat technical reason does the article give for the current Bitcoin price downturn?

AAnalysts cited in the article state that the downturn is occurring because there was a negative divergence from the relative strength index (RSI) when the BTC/USD pair encountered resistance above the $82,000 level.

Related Reads

BREAKING – Bitcoin Depot, Operator Of 9,000+ ATMs, Files For Bankruptcy Protection

Bitcoin Depot Inc., once the world's largest Bitcoin ATM operator, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company, which operated over 9,000 kiosks, cited insurmountable regulatory pressure as the primary cause for its collapse. Its network is now offline. CEO Alex Holmes stated the filing aims to facilitate an orderly wind-down and sale of assets, not a restructuring to continue operations. The announcement followed a steep decline in its stock price and severe financial losses, including a 49% year-over-year revenue drop in Q1 2026. Leadership changes preceded the bankruptcy, which includes both U.S. and Canadian entities.

bitcoinist45m ago

BREAKING – Bitcoin Depot, Operator Of 9,000+ ATMs, Files For Bankruptcy Protection

bitcoinist45m ago

"JUST 6th Anniversary x GasFree Super Carnival Month" Grandly Arrives: Enjoy "0" Gas Transfer Freedom & Share the 10,000 USDT Bonus Pool

The "JUST 6th Anniversary x GasFree Super Carnival Month" event has launched, celebrating the JUST ecosystem's six-year milestone within the TRON network. Running from May 18th to June 7th, the event features a 10,000 USDT prize pool and is designed to promote the GasFree smart wallet. GasFree, a key product of the JustLend DAO protocol, allows users to pay transaction fees directly with the token being transferred (e.g., USDT), eliminating the need to hold the network's native token (TRX) for gas. This innovation aims to simplify on-chain transactions and lower the entry barrier for new users. The carnival offers five main activities: 1. **GasFree Activation Challenge:** New users can earn random rewards (5.2-522 USDT) for activating GasFree and completing their first transfer. 2. **Transfer Rebate:** 200 users daily are randomly selected to receive a 100% rebate on their activation and transaction fees. 3. **Bitcoin Pizza Day Special:** A dedicated event with custom rewards to celebrate crypto culture. 4. **JUST 6th Anniversary Lucky Draw:** Special anniversary reward packages for lucky participants. 5. **Knowledge Quiz:** A trivia contest where users can win prizes by answering questions about JUST and GasFree. To participate, users need a compatible wallet like TronLink (recommended), Klever, Guarda, or NOW Wallet. They must then find the GasFree feature, fund it with USDT, and complete at least one USDT transfer to qualify for the rewards. The article highlights GasFree's significant adoption, reporting over 872 billion USD in cumulative transaction volume and more than 612 million USD in saved user fees since its launch. The event underscores JUST's commitment to enhancing the DeFi user experience by making on-chain interactions more accessible and cost-effective.

链捕手1h ago

"JUST 6th Anniversary x GasFree Super Carnival Month" Grandly Arrives: Enjoy "0" Gas Transfer Freedom & Share the 10,000 USDT Bonus Pool

链捕手1h ago

Kraken Cuts 150+ Jobs as AI Reshapes Crypto Exchange Operations

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has reportedly laid off over 150 employees as part of cost reductions achieved through company-wide AI implementation. The move has delayed Kraken's planned U.S. initial public offering (IPO) until at least next year, with a public listing goal now set for 2027. The layoffs reflect a broader industry trend, where AI-driven efficiencies have contributed to significant workforce reductions across crypto firms this year, including a major cut of 4,000 staff at Block Inc. earlier in 2026. Amid a declining crypto market impacting public companies' finances, Kraken joins other firms like data provider Dune in restructuring and focusing on core operations.

TheNewsCrypto2h ago

Kraken Cuts 150+ Jobs as AI Reshapes Crypto Exchange Operations

TheNewsCrypto2h ago

BTC Market Pulse: Week 21

The Bitcoin market in Week 21 shows a softening structure with mixed signals across segments. Spot market activity increased (volume +4.2%) but was driven by selling pressure, as indicated by a sharp -848.7% drop in Spot CVD. Futures markets exhibit caution, with open interest declining -2.9%, yet a +136.6% surge in long-side funding hints at bullish positioning. This is contrasted by a severe -278.7% drop in Perpetual CVD, pointing to dominant sell-side pressure. Options traders are positioning for downside risk, with the 25-Delta Skew rising +42.75%. Open interest and volatility spread also grew, signaling anticipation of higher price swings. Traditional finance sentiment weakened, with ETF netflows deteriorating and MVRV falling -6.1%, though ETF trade volume rose +7.0%. On-chain metrics show cooling liquidity and profitability, with NUPL and the Realized Profit/Loss Ratio weakening sharply. However, long-term holder dominance continues to build, providing underlying market resilience amid fading euphoria and increasingly defensive positioning.

insights.glassnode2h ago

BTC Market Pulse: Week 21

insights.glassnode2h ago

BNB Chain Releases Research Report, Exploring Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Path for BSC

BNB Chain, a leading Layer-1 blockchain ecosystem, has released a research report exploring the potential migration path for BNB Smart Chain (BSC) to post-quantum cryptography. The study evaluates replacing traditional cryptographic systems with quantum-resistant alternatives, specifically examining the use of ML-DSA-44 for transaction signing and pqSTARK for aggregating validator consensus signatures. While quantum computers are not currently a practical threat to existing blockchain cryptography, the research represents a proactive effort to ensure long-term network security and infrastructure resilience. The report assessed several core areas of the BSC tech stack, including post-quantum transaction signing, validator signature aggregation, transaction validation, public key storage, and network performance under increased data loads. A key finding is that achieving post-quantum readiness is technically feasible today but requires significant trade-offs in scalability. Test data indicates: • Transaction size would increase from ~110 bytes to ~2.5 kilobytes. • Block size would grow from ~110 kilobytes to ~2 megabytes. • Native transfer TPS would decrease from 4,973 to 2,997. The primary performance bottleneck is not signature verification itself, but the increased network transmission overhead caused by larger transaction and block sizes. Conversely, the pqSTARK aggregation technology proved highly efficient, compressing validator signatures by an approximately 43:1 ratio, which helps manage consensus-layer overhead. The report notes that post-quantum alternatives for areas like P2P handshakes and KZG commitments were not within the scope of this evaluation and require further research and broader ecosystem coordination. BNB Chain emphasizes this work is a research-oriented exploration and not a response to any imminent security threat.

marsbit2h ago

BNB Chain Releases Research Report, Exploring Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Path for BSC

marsbit2h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片

Top Questions

Hot Categoriesright-arrow

Hot Tagsright-arrow