Bitcoin fell below $80,000 during trading on October 26, 2026, as cryptocurrency markets faced renewed selling pressure ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision and amid broader weakness in technology-related investments.The world’s largest cryptocurrency declined as much as 1.4% during Monday’s session, slipping below $79,300 before recovering toward $80,000, according to Bloomberg. A separate October 27 market snapshot placed Bitcoin around $79,841, indicating that the asset remained close to the psychologically important threshold.The decline extended volatility that began over the weekend, when leveraged cryptocurrency positions were liquidated as Bitcoin struggled to maintain its earlier recovery toward $85,000.Ethereum, Solana and XRP also faced pressure, reflecting a broader reduction in investors’ appetite for risk rather than an isolated Bitcoin-specific development. The sell-off coincided with substantial withdrawals from US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, although those products remained net positive over the preceding trading week.
Bitcoin ETFs Lose $773.5 Million Across Two Sessions
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded approximately $635.6 million in net withdrawals on October 22, followed by another $137.9 million on October 23, according to Farside Investors. The combined $773.5 million outflow represented a sharp reversal from the $1.07 billion attracted during the first three sessions of the week.BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led Thursday’s withdrawals with $254.1 million in redemptions, followed by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which lost $217.5 million. On Friday, IBIT recorded another $110.3 million in outflows, while FBTC shed $31.8 million. Despite those withdrawals, Bitcoin ETFs retained approximately $301.2 million in net inflows across October 19–23, based on the displayed daily figures.The weekly total remains provisional because one issuer’s Friday data had not been reported in the referenced dataset. The reversal nevertheless illustrates how quickly demand through regulated investment products can fluctuate. Selling pressure was also amplified by leveraged derivatives positions.Reports covering the October 24 decline described hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency liquidations, predominantly involving traders positioned for rising prices. Liquidations can accelerate market declines when exchanges automatically close leveraged positions after collateral requirements are breached.However, the reported totals vary by measurement window and include cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin.
Federal Reserve Decision Becomes Next Market Test
Investors are now awaiting the Federal Reserve’s October 27–28 policy meeting, with its interest-rate decision scheduled for Wednesday. The announcement comes amid uncertainty about inflation, rising energy prices and the outlook for US monetary policy.Higher oil prices can complicate expectations for interest-rate reductions by increasing inflationary pressure. Meanwhile, concerns about spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure have weighed on technology-related investments, contributing to broader market caution. Bitcoin has increasingly traded alongside other risk-sensitive assets during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty, although that relationship is not constant.Market analysts are monitoring whether Bitcoin can sustain trading above $80,000 or experiences further selling below the threshold. Glassnode’s October 21 research identified a concentration of recent buying around $80,000–$81,500 and a broader market reference level near $77,600.Those figures provide context for positioning but do not guarantee support or predict future prices. The next major US inflation release and developments in equity markets could also influence cryptocurrency sentiment after the Fed announcement.For Bitcoin, the immediate question is whether ETF demand stabilizes and leveraged selling subsides sufficiently to support a recovery. Although the decline below $80,000 marks a significant short-term setback, the available evidence does not establish that a prolonged downturn is inevitable.