Bitcoin (BTC) Consolidates at $100,000 Amid Market Volatility

Bitcoin Surpasses $100,000 Milestone

Bitcoin (BTC) made headlines last week as it surged past the $100,000 mark for the first time, reaching an all-time high of $104,000. This remarkable achievement represents a 111 percent increase from its summer lows below $50,000, according to Bitfinex. However, the rally was short-lived, as BTC experienced a sharp 14.84 percent correction, including a rapid 10 percent drop within just eight minutes, marking the largest pullback from a present ATH since the pre-election sell-off.

Market Corrections and Liquidations

The correction triggered over $1.1 billion in liquidations, with $419 million in Bitcoin long positions, highlighting the significant leverage within the market. Despite the volatility, signs of stabilization are emerging. The Realized Profit metric, which peaked at $10.5 billion daily, has decreased to $2.5 billion, reducing sell-side pressure. Additionally, futures funding rates have normalized, indicating a reduction in speculative leverage.

Economic Indicators and Market Outlook

Despite recent fluctuations, the mid-term outlook for Bitcoin remains positive, supported by normalizing funding rates and reduced sell-side pressure. ETF inflows, although slightly slowed towards the end of last week, continue to be a crucial support amid ongoing profit-taking by long-term holders.

Meanwhile, the latest US economic data presents a mixed picture. November saw a strong rebound in job creation, with 227,000 jobs added, exceeding expectations despite disruptions from October’s hurricanes. However, a slight rise in unemployment to 4.2 percent suggests lingering workforce shifts. October job openings surged to 7.74 million, reflecting sustained demand for labor, though hiring slowed, indicating employer caution amid economic uncertainties.

Global Crypto Developments

In global crypto news, South Korea witnessed a dramatic surge in crypto trading, recording $34 billion in just 24 hours across major Korean exchanges following the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk-yeol. This political unrest led to panic sell-offs and platform outages, highlighting the market's sensitivity to geopolitical instability. Additionally, the bankrupt exchange Mt. Gox transferred $2.4 billion worth of Bitcoin to a new wallet as Bitcoin reached its new milestone.

Grayscale also made headlines by joining the competitive race to launch a Solana ETF, filing to convert its Solana Trust as SOL rallied. These developments underscore the dynamic interplay of political, regulatory, and historical factors shaping the cryptocurrency landscape.