Bitcoin Could Plunge to $72K Within Two Months, Analysts Warn as Bears Tighten Grip

Bitcoin’s bull run may be running out of steam. The world’s largest cryptocurrency has fallen back below the crucial $100,000 support line, triggering fresh fears of a deeper correction.

Market intelligence firm CryptoQuant now warns that if Bitcoin fails to hold this key psychological and technical level, prices could plunge to as low as $72,000 within the next two months — a potential 28% slide that could shake the foundations of the current rally.

The alarm bells started ringing after a historic wave of forced liquidations on October 10 — the largest in crypto market history, with more than $20 billion in leveraged positions wiped out in a single day. The crash set off a chain reaction of sell pressure, pushing Bitcoin below its six-month support line and reviving fears of a broader bearish reversal.

Since that event, analysts have tracked several red flags pointing to fading bullish momentum. Spot demand has weakened, particularly in the U.S., while ETF flows have turned negative, signaling that institutional appetite for Bitcoin exposure is waning.

Adding to the concern, the Coinbase premium — a metric that gauges U.S. buying pressure — has flipped negative, showing that American traders are now selling more than they are buying. Meanwhile, CryptoQuant’s Bull Score Index has slumped to just 20, a level typically associated with severe bearish sentiment.

“Unless Bitcoin reclaims the $100K level soon, the probability of a slide toward $72K becomes increasingly realistic,” warned Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant.

Macroeconomic Headwinds Intensify

Bitcoin’s troubles don’t end with market mechanics. Analysts say the macroeconomic backdrop is further weighing on risk assets, including crypto. Gerry O’Shea, head of global analysis at Hashdex, said uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s next rate move has added pressure to an already fragile market.

“Recent speculation that the FOMC may pause or delay rate cuts this year, coupled with rising concerns over tariffs, tightening credit, and inflated stock valuations, has led investors to scale back exposure to high-risk assets like Bitcoin.”

In other words, Wall Street’s appetite for crypto may be cooling just as the market needs it most.

On-chain data also reveals that long-term Bitcoin holders — or “whales” — are starting to take profits after months of gains. These early investors, who accumulated during earlier bear cycles, are now selling into strength, locking in returns before a potential downturn.

O’Shea notes that such behavior is typical during a market plateau

“As Bitcoin matures, some of the earliest investors begin realizing profits during periods of price consolidation. It’s part of a healthy, albeit painful, market cycle.”

A Glimmer of Hope for the Bulls

Despite the bearish tone dominating short-term charts, analysts insist that Bitcoin’s long-term outlook remains intact. Institutional demand — particularly through ETFs — continues to show resilience, and major financial firms are still expanding crypto infrastructure.

O’Shea argues that while the market could retest lower levels, it’s not the end of the road for Bitcoin “Corrections are natural. What matters is that institutional adoption and ETF inflows remain strong, setting the stage for the next growth phase once macro pressures ease.”

Indeed, the expected easing of U.S. monetary policy and accelerating corporate adoption of blockchain could provide the next spark for recovery.

For now, however, traders are treading cautiously. The next few weeks could prove decisive: hold $100K and Bitcoin may stabilize — lose it, and the path to $72,000 could open wide.

In the high-stakes world of crypto, confidence can evaporate in a single red candle. But as history shows, Bitcoin has survived far worse — and every correction has paved the way for the next bull run.