Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin's $81K Slide: Institutional Accumulation Defies Short-Term Panic

Bitcoin Tumbles to $81K as Realized Profits Turn Negative, Sparking Market Reckoning

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) has plunged to $81,629, marking its worst monthly performance since the 2022 crypto collapse, as realized profits turned negative for the first time this cycle. The 29% drop from October's $126,250 peak has triggered over $1 billion in 24-hour liquidations, with ETF outflows and leveraged positions exacerbating the selloff. The 11 U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded a record $3.79 billion in outflows this month, led by BlackRock's IBIT with over $2 billion in redemptions.

Amid the turmoil, institutional investors are bucking the trend. MicroStrategy (MSTR) capitalized on the dip, acquiring 8,178 BTC ($835.6 million) between November 10 and 16, pushing its holdings to 649,870 BTC. The purchase, funded via preferred stock offerings, underscores corporate treasuries' continued commitment to Bitcoin despite the selloff. Meanwhile, Galaxy Digital offloaded 2,800 BTC, reflecting broader capitulation by large sellers.

The Bitcoin mining sector, already grappling with cash-burning operations, faces renewed pressure. American Bitcoin (ABTC) reported $43 million in Q3 operating cash outflows, a challenge shared by peers like Riot (RIOT) and Marathon (MARA). Miners are increasingly pivoting to AI and high-performance computing (HPC) to offset Bitcoin's post-halving profitability decline, leveraging existing infrastructure to host GPU workloads.

On-chain data reveals a stark divide: short-term holders (STHs) now hold 2.8 million BTC at a loss, the highest underwater position since the 2022 FTX collapse. Conversely, long-term holders (LTHs) accumulated over 375,000 BTC in the past 30 days, with the November 13–19 week seeing the second-largest weekly whale accumulation of 2025. This divergence mirrors historical patterns where institutional accumulation precedes bull market recoveries.

Market analysts caution against equating this selloff with the 2022 bear market, which erased $2.2 trillion in value amid cascading failures like FTX and Celsius. Unlike 2022, the current correction lacks systemic triggers, with hash rates at record highs and ETF inflows stabilizing. Regulatory shifts, including the repeal of SAB 121 and the Ripple court victory, have also bolstered institutional confidence.

Technical indicators suggest a potential turning point. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index hit 11, matching 2022 lows - but Bitcoin's $90,000 support level aligns with the 200-day moving average, a critical psychological barrier. Negative funding rates, last seen during the March 2020 crash, indicate overextended bearish positioning.

While volatility persists, the market's structural resilience is evident. Stablecoin supply has surged to $252–303 billion, with $48 billion added in H1 2025 alone, signaling pent-up demand. Harvard University, El Salvador, and MicroStrategy's recent purchases highlight institutional recognition of Bitcoin's cyclical nature.