Bitcoin News Today: Crypto Market Teeters Between Institutional Optimism and Short-Term Chaos

Bitcoin's price plunged to a six-month low of $94,000 in mid-November 2025, sparking widespread panic across the crypto market. The sell-off, driven by profit-taking, institutional outflows, and macroeconomic uncertainty, pushed the Fear & Greed Index to a record 10 - the lowest level since February - amid a 5.8% drop in total crypto market value. Amid the chaos, Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, once again drew attention for his aggressive token liquidations, selling over $2.45 million worth of Ethereum (ETH), ENA, LDO, and other tokens within hours. His actions, observed by blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, underscored a broader trend of seasoned crypto figures hedging against a volatile market.

The collapse followed a rare institutional bet on Bitcoin, as Harvard University's endowment allocated $443 million to BlackRock's IBIT, signaling cautious optimism in the asset class. However, this move contrasted with the Federal Reserve's decision to halt quantitative tightening, a policy shift that had previously injected liquidity into financial markets. The Fed's statement, emphasizing its commitment to returning inflation to 2% while supporting maximum employment, failed to reassure investors, who remain wary of delayed rate cuts.

Hayes's sales mirrored a broader exodus by long-term Bitcoin holders, who offloaded a record 815,000 BTC in the past 30 days. His recent disposals included 520 ETH ($1.66 million), 2.62 million ENA ($733,000), and 132,730 ETHFI ($124,000) - a pattern analysts attribute to strategic portfolio rebalancing amid heightened volatility. Notably, Hayes has maintained a public stance of bullishness on certain altcoins, suggesting a nuanced view of the market's potential for selective gains despite the broader downturn.

The sell-off also highlighted growing institutional skepticism. While Harvard's IBIT investment marked a milestone for Bitcoin adoption, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) saw a 30% drop in enforcement actions against public companies in fiscal 2025, reflecting shifting regulatory priorities. Meanwhile, Tether's $1.15 billion investment in Bitcoin-backed lender Ledn signaled continued demand for crypto collateralized loans, with the market projected to expand nearly eightfold by 2033.

As Bitcoin's six-month low underscored the fragility of risk assets, market participants grappled with conflicting signals. Institutional interest in Bitcoin's utility - whether through green energy-powered computing frameworks or lending platforms hinted at long-term confidence - yet short-term volatility persisted. For now, Hayes's trades and the Fed's policy pivot remain focal points in a market teetering between caution and optimism.