Bitcoin’s Wild Swings Highlight Market Divisions
18.12.2025 - 10:50:05Bitcoin CRYPTO000BTC
The world's leading cryptocurrency is currently delivering a masterclass in volatility. Bitcoin's price action is presenting conflicting signals to investors, caught between long-term institutional optimism and immediate technical pressures. A fleeting surge above the critical $90,000 threshold was swiftly undone, illustrating the market's fragile state.
Recent movements have been largely technical, not fundamental. The market experienced a classic "whipsaw" pattern within a 24-hour window. A rapid price ascent triggered the liquidation of leveraged short positions, which was immediately followed by a sell-off that wiped out bullish long bets.
Data confirms that over $400 million in leveraged derivatives positions were forcibly closed. Market experts point to thin order book liquidity as a key amplifier of these violent swings. The prevalence of algorithmic trading further accelerated the momentum, ultimately pushing Bitcoin's price back down to the $86,938 zone. This leaves the digital asset nursing a monthly loss of approximately 5.5%.
A Fundamental Regulatory Shift
Amidst the short-term turbulence, a significant development emerged from the United States. The Federal Reserve has formally rescinded its restrictive 2023 guidelines. This pivotal move now grants U.S. banks explicit permission to offer cryptocurrency custody services and develop tokenization products. Observers consider this a major step toward integrating digital assets into the traditional financial framework.
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Institutional Accumulation vs. Whale Distribution
A clear schism is evident among key market participants. On the buying side, prominent institutional activity continues. MicroStrategy executed another multi-billion dollar Bitcoin purchase, while the state of Texas officially allocated $5 million to a strategic reserve. On the Binance exchange, the buyer-to-seller ratio also hints at underlying bullish sentiment.
This stands in stark contrast to outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs and persistent selling from so-called "whales." Wallets holding substantial balances have shown a tendency to distribute coins over recent months. The current stalemate in price is largely attributed to this clash between new institutional accumulation and profit-taking by established holders.
All Eyes on Key Support Levels
Traders are now intently watching crucial support areas. The region around $85,000 is undergoing a stern test. A decisive break below this level would turn the $81,300 mark into a critical line of defense. Holding this second tier is widely viewed as essential to prevent a deeper correction toward $76,000. Whether these levels can withstand ongoing liquidation risks will be a primary determinant of Bitcoin's trajectory heading into year-end.
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