Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin drops below $124,000 amid institutional activity and macro pressures

Bitcoin fell below $117,000 on August 15, 2025, marking a sharp correction from its recent all-time high above $124,000 amid heightened market volatility and mixed institutional activity. The decline, triggered by macroeconomic pressures and large-scale trading by institutional players, led to over $500 million in leveraged positions being liquidated within a 24-hour period. By the time of reporting, Bitcoin had stabilized near $117,350, with traders closely monitoring key Fibonacci support levels and trendlines to gauge whether further weakness or renewed demand might emerge [1].

The recent price movement reflects a combination of technical exhaustion and shifting macroeconomic conditions. While institutional demand has continued to act as a buffer against sharper declines, bearish momentum is evident through a weakening relative strength indicator (RSI) and a bearish MACD crossover. Despite this, major investors appear to be viewing the pullback as an opportunity to accumulate Bitcoin at lower prices, maintaining an overall bullish bias for the long term. Analysts have identified $117,350 and $110,700 as critical support levels, with a break below the latter potentially signaling a deeper correction [1].

Earlier in August, Bitcoin surged above $124,000 before retreating, highlighting the increased volatility and the possibility of entering a consolidation phase. A successful breakout above $126,000 is seen as a potential catalyst for a new bullish trend, with price targets extending to $130,000 and even $150,000. However, failure to clear that threshold has led to a retest of key Fibonacci levels, with traders now bracing for a range-bound movement between $117,000 and $123,000 before the next decisive attempt [1].

The broader market has also seen Bitcoin’s total market capitalization surpass $2.46 trillion, now exceeding the combined market caps of major corporations like Alphabet and Amazon. This growth has been supported by regulatory developments, including the recent allowance for U.S. 401(k) plans to allocate funds to cryptocurrencies, which could significantly expand the investor base [1].

The pullback has also raised questions about the sustainability of the current rally and potential buyer exhaustion. Although institutional buying has helped to soften short-term declines, some analysts predict a potential correction before the anticipated September altcoin rally gains momentum. Active traders are advised to monitor the $110,000–$113,000 zone closely, with stops set below $107,700 to manage risk effectively [1].

Despite the recent sell-off, the overall structure of the Bitcoin market remains bullish, particularly if key support levels hold. Institutional activity continues to signal long-term confidence, with continued inflows and treasury allocations reinforcing the narrative of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class. As the market navigates this correction phase, the next move above $126,000 could determine the trajectory of the next leg of the bull run.

Source:

[1] Bitcoin Price Prediction: Institutions Pile In as BTC Approaches ATH – One Break Above $126K Could Change Everything

(https://cryptonews.com/news/bitcoin-price-prediction-institutions-pile-in-as-btc-approaches-ath-one-break-above-126k-could-change-everything/)