Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin's 'Uptober' Falters as Geopolitics and Profit-Taking Stifle Rally

Bitcoin Trader Demand Hits Yearly Lows Despite Market Rebounds

Bitcoin's typical October rally, known as "Uptober," has faltered in 2025 amid a confluence of macroeconomic pressures, geopolitical tensions, and shifting investor behavior. The world's largest cryptocurrency has declined 6% this month, bucking a historical average gain of 19.7% for October since 2013, according to a CryptoNews analysis (a CryptoNews analysis). Analysts warn that BTC could slip below the psychological $100,000 threshold by month-end, a level that would mark a significant reversal of fortune for a market sector that has long thrived on seasonal optimism.

The selloff began with a record $19 billion in leveraged positions liquidated on Oct. 10, the worst single-day crash in crypto history, according to the CryptoNews analysis. Polymarket data reflects growing pessimism, showing a 52% probability of Bitcoin dropping below $100,000 this month. While the odds have since narrowed, experts attribute the prolonged weakness to renewed U.S.-China trade tensions, institutional profit-taking, and a broader risk-off sentiment in global markets.

The struggles of Bitcoin have spilled over into the altcoin market, which is now valued $800 billion below levels expected in a typical bull cycle, according to a Fortune report (a Fortune report). Retail traders, particularly in South Korea—a historic hub for speculative altcoin trading—have shifted capital toward crypto-linked equities and Bitcoin itself. This shift has left smaller tokens languishing, with the bottom half of the top 100 digital assets down 57% year-to-date. "Altcoins have failed to attract sufficient new capital," said Markus Thielen of 10x Research, noting that South Korean exchanges now see less than half the trading volumes of major stock indices.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, has found a temporary floor above $111,000, with technical indicators suggesting consolidation around key moving averages, according to a CoinDesk report (a CoinDesk report). The 200-day moving average sits near $108,000, while the 100-day line hovers at $115,000, creating a narrow trading range as investors await a catalyst to break the stalemate. Despite this stability, market participants remain cautious. "Traders are opting for selective exposure amid ongoing macroeconomic volatility," a CoinDesk report noted, highlighting the lack of clear direction in both crypto and traditional markets.

The broader implications of October's underperformance could ripple through the crypto ecosystem. A breakdown below $100,000 might accelerate the migration of capital to Bitcoin's more stable cousin, Ether, or even crypto-related stocks. For now, the market is in a holding pattern, with analysts emphasizing that geopolitical developments and central bank policies will likely dictate the next move.