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The crypto market faced a sharp downturn this week, with Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Dogecoin (DOGE) experiencing significant sell pressure. Although red candles continue to dominate the charts, a crypto analyst has pointed out key factors suggesting that this unexpected beatdown could be laying the groundwork for a rebound as the final quarter of the year approaches.
Why Bitcoin, Ethereum, And Dogecoin Are Dropping Hard
According to market analyst Ash Crypto, the current market decline is being driven by a series of macroeconomic and technical factors. In an X social media post on Thursday, he explained that the first and most immediate factor behind the pressure is the looming options expiry event. With $23 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options set to expire, volatility has intensified.
Ash Crypto stressed that whales, who often steer the market toward the “max pain” price, are now actively pushing Bitcoin near $110,000, ETH closer to $3,700, and DOGE down to $0.23. The analyst highlights that this growing pressure has sparked panic selling among retail investors in the crypto market.
Additionally, the potential threat from the United States government has further rattled the markets. With a 67% probability of occurring by October 1, 2025, Ash Crypto reports that uncertainty has significantly impacted investor sentiment. Historically, government shutdowns have triggered corrections in the equity and crypto markets, and the current environment is showing similar signs.
Source: Chart from Ash Crypto on X
Meanwhile, a surprisingly robust US GDP growth data has created another layer of bearish short-term pressure. According to Ash Crypto, Q2 GDP was revised to 3.8% from the initially expected 3.3%, signaling strong economic resilience. While positive in the long run, the analyst notes that robust economic indicators tend to reduce the likelihood of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (FED). For risk assets like crypto, this has translated into an immediate selloff as traders reposition in anticipation of tighter monetary conditions.
Why This Dip Could Be Setting The Stage For A Bounce
Amidst the broader market turmoil, another critical factor has contributed to the recent decline in crypto. Ash Crypto notes that retail investors, drawn by the excitement around perpetual DEXs, have piled into high-leverage positions on altcoins, amplifying potential volatility. He stated that at one point, altcoin Open Interest nearly doubled that of Bitcoin. When market sentiment shifted, massive liquidations swept across exchanges, intensifying the sell-off and accelerating the market’s decline.
While disruptive in the short-term, the analyst suggests that this process of unwinding leveraged positions often sets the stage for a significant bounce and more sustainable market rallies. He highlighted that by flushing out overextended positions, whales and institutional players create an environment that favours accumulation.
Ash Crypto further highlighted that this cycle appears to be a deliberate play by whales to trigger panic selling before the fourth-quarter rally. He disclosed that September began on a bullish note, convincing traders that prices would only continue upward, only for sharp corrections to reset the market.
Bitcoin trading at $109,376 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from Tradingview.com
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