Bitcoin News Today: Institutions Bet on Bitcoin's Recovery as Market Loses $1 Trillion-Analysts Divided

Bitcoin's price has plunged below $80,000, sparking warnings from analysts that further downside-potentially a final leverage flush below the critical level-is possible. As of November 2025, the cryptocurrency trades in the mid-$80,000s, down roughly 30% from its October peak above $126,000. The selloff has erased over $1 trillion from the crypto market in six weeks, triggering record outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs and leaving traders and long-term holders recalibrating end-2025 price expectations.

The collapse followed a dramatic October crash fueled by leveraged liquidations and macroeconomic fears. A single-day liquidation event on October 10 wiped $20 billion in leveraged positions, the largest in crypto history, as a surge in Trump-era tariff rhetoric and a broader risk-off move sent Bitcoin plummeting from $126,000 to the low-$80,000s. ETF outflows have compounded the pressure, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs losing $3.79 billion in November-the largest monthly exodus since their launch according to data. BlackRock's IBIT alone saw a record $523 million in redemptions as prices fell below $90,000 according to reports.

Despite the turmoil, institutional demand remains a key variable. Harvard University has boosted its Bitcoin ETF stake to $443 million, while the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve holds 198,000 BTC as a national reserve asset. Japan's Metaplanet is also stockpiling Bitcoin, framing it as a long-term corporate treasury. These moves suggest some institutions view the current dip as a strategic entry point rather than a sign of systemic weakness.

Analyst forecasts remain deeply divided. Ultra-bullish predictions, including $200,000 targets from Standard Chartered and Bitwise, assume a rapid rebound driven by Fed rate cuts and sustained institutional demand. Meanwhile, cautious voices warn of prolonged weakness, with Kraken's models projecting a flat year-end price near $85,000. A bearish camp, including veteran chartist Peter Brandt, outlines paths where Bitcoin could test $58,000 before rallying.

A $2 billion whale trade on Deribit has added intrigue to the narrative. The position-a call condor betting on a $100,000–$118,000 range-signals institutional confidence that the worst is over. The trade, executed as open interest collapsed by 1.3 million BTC on Binance, reflects a belief that the recent liquidation cascade has cleaned out speculative froth, creating a stable floor for a new bull phase.

Macro risks linger, however. Fed policy, AI-driven tech bubbles, and regulatory shifts could disrupt any recovery. Bitcoin's volatility remains extreme, with a 30% drawdown from October's peak underscoring its speculative nature. For investors, the lesson is clear: treat forecasts as scenarios, not guarantees, and prepare for sudden swings.