Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Price Falls Below $109.5K as Whale ‘Spoofing’ and US PCE Data Pressure Markets

Key Takeaways:Bitcoin dropped nearly 3% to lows of $109,436 amid whale-driven selling pressure.Traders warn of repeated “spoofy” whale tactics manipulating BTC’s short-term price action.Over $350 million in crypto longs were liquidated in 24 hours.US PCE inflation data is the next major catalyst for Bitcoin and risk assets.Bitcoin’s price slipped under $109,500 on Friday, with traders pointing to manipulative whale behavior and looming US inflation data as the primary market drivers.Whales Blamed for “Spoofy” BTC Price MovesData from TradingView showed BTC/USD losing nearly 3% intraday, extending a week of volatile swings. Analysts flagged large inflows involving market maker Wintermute and pointed to whales deliberately shifting liquidity to trigger capitulation.“This isn’t noise. It’s the whale playbook,” trader Merlijn wrote, noting Bitcoin and Ether inflows into market makers.Fellow trader BitBull described the recurring pattern: consolidation, capitulation, breakout, and rally. “Looking at the BTC chart, we are in the capitulation phase. This could last for a few weeks and provide good entries,” he told followers.Material Indicators co-founder Keith Alan revived the moniker “Spoofy the Whale”, referring to large, manipulative order-book shifts designed to trap traders.$350M in Long Liquidations as Market WobblesAccording to CoinGlass, crypto markets saw more than $350 million in long liquidations in the past 24 hours, amplifying downside pressure.The setup echoes Bitcoin’s earlier dip below $109,000 this week, where similar whale-driven activity preceded quick breakdowns and reversals.PCE Inflation Data Looms as Key Market CatalystBeyond whale activity, macro conditions continue to weigh on BTC. The US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, is due Friday morning.“Fed’s favorite gauge could either fuel the dump… or light the relief rally,” crypto host Kyle Doops noted, adding that Bitcoin remains “wobbling” into the release.With September historically Bitcoin’s weakest month and markets anticipating a Fed rate cut later in the month, traders are closely watching whether inflation data will trigger fresh volatility or relief for BTC price action.