Bitcoin News Today: Institutions' Outsize Influence Exacerbates Bitcoin's $86,722 Slide

Bitcoin's price has fallen to $86,722, breaching key psychological levels and reigniting concerns about selling pressure from major holders. The cryptocurrency, which dipped below $100,000 for the first time since May 2025, has lost 20% in November amid a broader market selloff driven by macroeconomic uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment. Analysts are now scrutinizing whether this drop will trigger large-scale liquidations from institutions and corporations that have accumulated significant Bitcoin holdings over the past year.

The current price action coincides with a critical juncture in global monetary policy. The CME FedWatch tool shows an 80% probability of a December rate cut after weeks of volatility, a shift that has unsettled risk assets and exacerbated Bitcoin's decline. "The correlation between stocks and Bitcoin has been climbing, and investors are cutting speculative positions," said Victoria Scholar, head of investment at interactive investor, noting that $80,000 is the next major support level to watch according to market analysis. This threshold, if broken, could accelerate selling from holders who entered the market during the asset's 2024 rally.

Institutional participation has amplified Bitcoin's volatility. As of November 2025, 17% of the 21 million BTC supply is held by companies and governments, with exchange-traded funds alone accounting for 7%. The proliferation of Bitcoin treasuries and ETFs has concentrated ownership, giving large players outsized influence. For example, XRP spot ETFs have attracted $644 million in inflows this month, as investors rotate into regulated alternatives amid Bitcoin's turbulence. This shift highlights a broader trend: institutions are increasingly prioritizing products with clearer regulatory frameworks, potentially reducing Bitcoin's liquidity in a downturn.

The corporate sector's exposure adds another layer of complexity. Michael Saylor's Bitcoin-buying strategy has inspired a wave of corporate treasuries, with 357 companies now holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets. However, some firms may face margin calls if prices continue to decline. Strategy, the crypto-focused investment firm, recently adjusted its year-end Bitcoin price assumption to $85,000–$110,000 from $150,000, projecting operating income ranging from a $7 billion loss to a $9.5 billion profit. Such adjustments underscore the fragility of leveraged positions in a market where even minor price swings can trigger cascading liquidations.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin Munari, a fixed-supply project launching on Solana, is proceeding with its presale at $0.22 per token, unaffected by macroeconomic volatility according to project officials. The project's structured rollout-allocating 53% of its 21 million supply across ten rounds-contrasts with the unpredictable nature of Bitcoin's current market environment. Munari's spokesperson emphasized that the presale's fixed pricing and distribution model insulates it from external shocks, a feature that may appeal to investors seeking stability amid crypto's recent turbulence.

The Solana ecosystem, however, is experiencing its own bearish pressures. SOL has fallen 5% in a single day, with derivatives data showing a 6.17% drop in open interest and a negative OI-weighted funding rate, signaling bearish dominance. This decline mirrors Bitcoin's weakness, as cross-asset risk-off sentiment amplifies selling across the crypto market.

Looking ahead, the Fed's decision in December will be pivotal. A rate cut could stabilize Bitcoin's price by reducing borrowing costs and reigniting risk appetite, while a delay could deepen the selloff. Institutional investors, meanwhile, may hedge their exposure through options and futures, with the $15.4 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options set to expire this week. The outcome of these expiries could determine whether the $80,000 level holds or collapses under renewed selling pressure.