Bitcoin News Today: "2025 Bear Market Drives Crypto Exodus: Smart Money Targets Utility, Abandons Speculation"

Bitcoin's descent below the 50-week moving average-a key technical benchmark-has cemented the start of a new bear market, according to on-chain analytics and institutional sentiment indicators. The price of BTC fell to $82,605 on November 21, 2025, marking a 4.53% daily drop and a 23% monthly loss, its worst since June 2022. Heavy liquidations, with over $2 billion in leveraged positions wiped out in a week, underscored the severity of the selloff. The total crypto market cap slid below $2.8 trillion, eroding $120 billion in value within 24 hours.

The bearish trend is compounded by macroeconomic pressures, including fading hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts and weak employment data. Open interest in Bitcoin futures has dropped 35% from October's $94 billion peak, while U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs recorded $903 million in outflows-the second-largest redemption since their launch. "Bitcoin's path toward $75,000 looks inevitable unless there's a sudden shift in macro conditions," noted analysts at VanEck, highlighting the role of mid-cycle holders in driving the selloff.

Despite the turmoil, on-chain data reveals a divergence between retail and institutional behavior. Retail traders have capitulated, with short-term holders aggressively selling amid extreme fear. Conversely, long-term holders and miners have maintained their positions. Santiment analysis suggests the market often moves opposite to retail sentiment, hinting at potential rebounds if capitulation continues. However, the Fear and Greed Index hit an annual low of 15/100, and historical patterns post-U.S. government shutdowns offer little optimism.

Amid the bearish environment, smart money is shifting toward projects with tangible utility and tokenomics. Digitap ($TAP), a hybrid crypto-fiat banking platform, has raised over $2 million in its presale, attracting investors seeking real-world adoption. The project's multi-rail architecture combines blockchain with traditional banking corridors like SWIFT and SEPA, enabling seamless cross-border payments and crypto spending via Visa cards. Half of Digitap's profits are allocated to token buybacks and staker rewards, creating deflationary pressure and incentivizing long-term holding.

Digitap's presale has gained traction as Bitcoin's dominance wanes. The $TAP token, currently priced at $0.0313, is set to increase to $0.0326 in its next phase, with a projected launch price of $0.14. Stakers earn 124% APR, a figure analysts attribute to the project's strong utility and growing demand for cross-border payment solutions. Competitors like Best Wallet Token ($BEST) are losing ground as Digitap's omnibanking model targets a $250 trillion global payments market.

Other altcoins are also vying for attention. XRP Tundra, a dual-token project on Solana and XRP Ledger, has attracted Bitcoin holders with its structured presale and yield-generating Cryo Vaults. Meanwhile, Binance's recent listing of the BOBUSDT futures pair highlights the exchange's efforts to diversify altcoin offerings. However, Digitap's live app and immediate utility give it an edge in a risk-off market.

As Bitcoin struggles to reclaim key support levels, the rotation into utility-driven projects signals a maturing crypto ecosystem. "The era of speculative gains is ending," said Chris Burniske, co-founder of Alliance DAO. "Investors now prioritize cash flow and real-world adoption. Digitap's model aligns with this shift, making it a top presale of 2025."