Bitcoin slipped below $90,000 on Tuesday — marking its lowest level since April — as traders cut exposure to speculative assets amid rising global uncertainty. The decline extends a two-week sell-off that has erased all of the token’s year-to-date gains.
The cryptocurrency traded at around $89,953 during early Asia hours, according to data cited by Reuters, after breaching key technical support near $98,000. The move follows a series of outflows from spot-Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States, suggesting that institutional demand is weakening after months of steady inflows.
Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association, said the downturn reflects “a cascading sell-off amplified by listed companies and institutions exiting positions after piling in during the rally, compounding contagion risks across the market.”
Bitcoin’s latest fall mirrors a wider pullback in global risk assets. Asian equities edged lower through the session, high-growth technology shares continued to lose ground, and bond yields retreated as investors sought safer assets. Analysts attribute part of the shift to shrinking expectations of a near-term rate cut by the US Federal Reserve — a sentiment that has weighed on speculative and high-beta markets.
On-chain data adds to the bearish picture. Exchange reserves have risen, often seen as a sign of mounting sell pressure, while deposit volumes are increasing — both historically associated with distribution phases in crypto cycles. Technical analysis from FXStreet points to possible support zones between $85,000 and $87,000, with a potential downside target near $75,000 if momentum fails to stabilise.
For businesses with exposure to digital assets — from listed miners and payment companies to those holding crypto on balance sheets — the market correction could affect quarterly valuations and investor sentiment. The pullback may also test the resilience of corporate treasuries that integrated Bitcoin holdings during the previous bull cycle.
More broadly, Bitcoin’s breach of the $90,000 threshold is seen by traders as a symbolic turning point in market confidence. After a year of tightening liquidity and persistent rate uncertainty, digital assets are once again acting as a gauge of broader risk tolerance.
Whether the slide deepens will depend largely on macro signals in the coming weeks. Analysts are watching Federal Reserve commentary, US inflation data, and ETF flow trends for clues on whether risk appetite can recover — or whether the correction signals a longer-term shift in sentiment across digital markets.
