Bitcoin has been under serious pressure lately. After hitting an all-time high of around $126,000 in October 2025, the world’s largest cryptocurrency has tumbled sharply and, as of 19 November 2025, is trading below $90,000.
While corrections are normal in crypto, what has caught traders’ attention is a major technical development on the charts — Bitcoin has just formed a death cross on the daily timeframe. And historically, this pattern has often hinted at prolonged bearish periods. So, what does this mean for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market? Let’s break it down in a simple and realistic way.
What is a Death Crossover?
A death crossover, or death cross, happens when 50-day moving average (50-DMA) falls below the 200-day moving average (200-DMA). This crossover is usually considered a bearish technical signal and often suggests that:
- Momentum has shifted from buyers to sellers
- Short-term price trend has weakened
- A deeper corrective phase may be ahead
While the death cross doesn’t guarantee a crash, it has preceded major downtrends in previous cycles, including the 2014 crash and the 2018 crypto winter.
Bitcoin’s Current Situation
After months of strong rallying that pushed Bitcoin to fresh highs near $126k, the market has cooled off sharply.
Key points:
- Price now below $90k
- Trading below major support levels
- Death cross formed on the daily chart
- Macro sentiment turning defensive
If the selling continues, Bitcoin could potentially retest the $72k zone, which acted as a major breakout level earlier in 2025. This region could serve as strong support, but if it fails, the market may see a much deeper correction.
What’s Driving the Downturn?
There are several factors are weighing on sentiment:
1. Profit-booking at higher levels
After a massive rally from 70k levels to 125k in the year, large holders (including institutional desks) have been booking profits aggressively.
2. Rising volatility in global financial markets
With interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical concerns staying elevated, risk assets have been under pressure globally — and crypto is no exception.
3. Technical breakdown
Once Bitcoin closed below key support zones and the 50-DMA crossed under the 200-DMA, algorithmic strategies and automated selling increased the downward pressure.
Broader Market Also Under Pressure
Bitcoin isn’t falling in isolation — altcoins are bleeding too:
- Ethereum hit highs of nearly $5,000 last month, but has now dropped around 40% and is trading below $3,000.
- Solana (SOL), after a strong surge earlier in the year, has faced selling pressure as speculative flows reduced.
- BNB, XRP, Cardano, and meme tokens have also seen sharp corrections across the board.
In crypto, when Bitcoin sneezes, the altcoin market usually catches a fever — and that’s exactly what’s happening again.
Has Bitcoin Seen This Before?
Absolutely — and multiple times. Historically, Bitcoin has formed several death crosses over the past decade. Some of them led to:
Deep bear markets: Like the 2018 crash, where BTC fell over 70% after the crossover.
Short-lived dips: Like mid-2021, where Bitcoin corrected before bouncing back to new all-time highs months later. So while a death cross is a warning sign, it is not a certainty of a long-term bear market. Crypto has defied traditional technical rules many times — especially in high-volatility conditions.
Will Bitcoin Enter a New Bear Cycle?
Right now, the technicals are not in favor of bulls:
- Price below short-term and long-term moving averages
- Lower highs forming on the chart
- Weak buying volume on recent bounces
Unless Bitcoin quickly reclaims levels above the 50- and 200-day moving averages, the market may continue to stay in defensive mode.
However, there are also arguments against a confirmed bear market, including:
1. Strong long-term adoption
Exchange outflows and wallet accumulation indicate that long-term holders are still buying dips.
2. Institutional interest remains solid
Bitcoin ETFs continue to see structural demand, even during corrections.
3. Upcoming halving cycle
Historically, Bitcoin has performed strongly in the months leading into and following a halving — and that trend could repeat.
So the current situation is less about “Bitcoin is doomed” and more about “Bitcoin is cooling off after a massive run.”
Final Thoughts
The death cross forming on Bitcoin’s daily chart is definitely a signal traders should take seriously. If the selling extends further, the market could see BTC drifting toward the $72k support zone, and altcoins may continue to correct along with it.
But at the same time, Bitcoin has survived: 90% crashes, Bear markets, Regulations and Exchange collapses… only to come back stronger each cycle. So instead of panicking, traders and investors may be better off focusing on: Risk management, Capital preservation & Buying zones instead of chasing green candles
In crypto, what feels like the end often turns out to be just another phase in a much bigger cycle. What do you think? Are we entering a new bear market, or is this just another shakeout before the next rally?