June 23, 2025 — Global Crypto Markets — Bitcoin briefly slid below the $100,000 mark on Monday, weighed down by a wave of risk-off sentiment triggered by rising oil prices and geopolitical fears. Major altcoins—including Ethereum, XRP, and Solana—also felt the impact, reflecting broader market vulnerability tied to equities and macroeconomic pressure.
A sudden spike in oil prices—driven by fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East instability—opened the week on a cautious note. Brent crude briefly climbed above $81.50 per barrel, reigniting inflation concerns and pushing investors to retreat from risk assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies.
Financial markets responded swiftly: U.S. Treasuries and gold rallied, while the Dow and S&P 500 saw muted gains. In parallel, Bitcoin slid over 2% on Sunday night, dipping below $100K in early Monday trading in tandem with more than an 8% drop in Ethereum .
Monday’s crypto drop wasn’t isolated. Bitcoin dipped to roughly $99,000, while altcoins like Ethereum, XRP, and Solana lost between 3% and 4%. The sell-off echoed equity market behavior—tech stocks and risk-sensitive assets came under pressure, dragging digital assets lower.
Although Bitcoin showed signs of recovery later in the day—rising above $102,000—analysts noted that crypto is not acting as a haven in times of geopolitical uncertainty, contrary to traditional safe-haven theory.
The $100,000 level remains a critical psychological and technical threshold. Cointelegraph analysts warn a failure to hold this mark could lead to deeper corrections toward $93,000, whereas reclaiming higher territory might restore bullish momentum above $105,000.
Bitfinex data shows weakening support: Bitcoin’s liquidity is drying up, pushing sell-side pressure above six-figure levels. If risk sentiment worsens, Bitcoin may test lower support floors.
Despite the drop, fund flows into Bitcoin remained robust. Crypto investment platforms reported $1.2 billion inflows last week, with Bitcoin ETPs attracting over $1.3 billion in fresh capital.
This indicates growing institutional commitment, even as short-term volatility rattles traders. The combination of deep liquidity and large capital inflows may help support prices and dampen sharp declines.
The broader sell-off reflects a synchronized move across risky assets:
- Oil surge: Brent spiked amid Middle East uncertainty, raising stagflation concerns.
- Equity tech drop: Major tech names declined, and bond yields surged, prompting a rotation into safe havens .
- Crypto correlation: Bitcoin and altcoins followed suit, slumping in line with stocks—a sign that crypto remains tied to broader sentiment.
Once viewed as ‘digital gold’, Bitcoin now behaves more like a risk asset, sensitive to global liquidity shifts and market sentiment. Even when geopolitical events should theoretically drive BTC higher, its correlation with equities suggests crypto is still closely tied to macroeconomics .
– James Toledano of Unity Wallet notes that Bitcoin could now trade between $94,000 and $114,000, reflecting a balancing act between macro risks and mid-cycle momentum.
Analyst consensus suggests further sideways action for now, but the tone remains cautiously optimistic:
Bitcoin’s retreat below $100,000 underscores how deeply intertwined crypto remains with global macro forces. The sell-off, triggered by an energy shock and risk-averse positioning, quickly spread to Ethereum, XRP, and Solana.
Still, steady institutional inflows and resilient technical support suggest a rebound is possible—if not guaranteed. For market-watchers, the interplay between geopolitical headlines, liquidity dynamics, and investor flows will define where crypto heads next.
As always, crypto markets may offer opportunity—but only for those prepared for volatility and ready to navigate macro-driven uncertainty.