What’s Impacting the Bitcoin Price Today? Why Market Sentiment Has Slipped Into Extreme Fear

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The Bitcoin price is under pressure again. After weeks of choppy trading, selling has picked up, and sentiment has turned sharply negative. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has dropped to 5, placing the market deep into “Extreme Fear” territory. Readings this low are rare. They usually show up during panic-driven sell-offs or extended downtrends.

Derivatives data adds to the story. Open interest has declined, suggesting leverage is being washed out. Funding rates have cooled, showing fewer traders are willing to bet aggressively on a rebound. Large wallet activity has also increased in recent sessions.  As a result, the market has turned defensive: buyers are hesitant, while sellers remain active.

Why Is Bitcoin Falling Today?

The Bitcoin price has dropped by 4.71% over the past 24 hours, to $63,171, underperforming a broadly weak crypto market. The sell-off is primarily driven by the uncertainty from President Trump’s 15% global tariff announcement and six straight weeks of ETF outflows.  There isn’t just one trigger. Instead, several pressure points are building at the same time.

• Extreme Fear Sentiment: When the Fear & Greed Index falls to 5, it reflects broad pessimism. Retail participation tends to slow during these phases.

• Derivatives Reset: Open interest has dropped, signaling that leveraged positions are being closed. That removes fuel from the upside and can keep the price heavy.

• Whale Transfers: Large wallet movements have increased. While not definitive proof of selling, it often signals strategic repositioning.

• Retail Capitulation Signals: Search trends tied to Bitcoin’s decline have climbed, showing anxiety is spreading beyond just professional traders.

• Narrative Uncertainty: Concerns around long-term risks, including quantum computing discussions, have resurfaced. These remain theoretical, but in fragile markets, perception matters.

Bitcoin Chart Analysis: A Clear Descending Channel

The Bitcoin price is undergoing a strong bearish phase, with the price trading within the lower range. The price is stuck within a descending parallel channel, specifically within the lower bands of the channel. The Bollinger bands have been squeezed, hinting towards major price action in the coming days. Additionally, the MACD, which is within a negative range, is about to undergo a bearish crossover, which may drag the price lower. 

Bitcoin has been forming a clean descending channel with a series of lower highs and lower lows. After the rejection from the highs, here’s how the trend has been and could reach in the next few days. 

125K → 82K → 98K → 62K → 79K → 43K

Inside this channel:

• Rallies stall near the upper boundary.
• Support gets tapped repeatedly.
• Volatility compresses over time.

Compression like this doesn’t last forever.

Key Levels to Watch

Major Support: $43K- This marks the lower boundary of the channel. A clean break below it could trigger acceleration.

Upper Channel Resistance: Around $70K- A strong close above this area would begin to invalidate the bearish structure.

Structural Shift Level: $79K—Bitcoin needs to break above this previous lower high to confirm a change in trend.

Breakout or Breakdown Ahead?

Right now, the Bitcoin (BTC) price structure still favors the bears. But compression means a decisive move is getting closer.

If Bitcoin Breaks Higher: A confirmed close above the channel, followed by a successful retest, could shift momentum. The first upside target would sit near $79K, with further room toward $98K if buyers regain control.

If Bitcoin Breaks Lower: A daily close below $43K could open the door toward the $35K–$38K region. That’s where the next major liquidity pocket may sit.