Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Drops to $81K as Institutions Continue to Buy Despite Brief Market Turmoil

Bitcoin Drops to $81K as Realized Gains Turn Negative, Prompting Market Shakeup

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) has fallen to $81,629, experiencing its steepest monthly decline since the 2022 crypto downturn, as realized gains dipped below zero for the first time in this cycle. The 29% slide from October’s $126,250 high has

, with ETF withdrawals and leveraged trades intensifying the downward pressure. The 11 spot ETFs listed in the U.S. have this month, with BlackRock’s IBIT accounting for over $2 billion in outflows.

Despite the chaos, some institutional players are moving against the tide. MicroStrategy (MSTR)

, purchasing 8,178 (worth $835.6 million) between November 10 and 16, bringing its total holdings to 649,870 BTC. This acquisition, financed through preferred stock sales, highlights the ongoing commitment of corporate treasuries to Bitcoin even as prices fall. Meanwhile, , illustrating a broader trend of large holders exiting positions.

The Bitcoin mining industry, already struggling with high cash burn, is facing renewed challenges.

(ABTC) , a problem also seen at (RIOT) and Marathon (MARA). To counteract the drop in Bitcoin’s post-halving profitability, miners are increasingly shifting toward AI and high-performance computing (HPC), .

Blockchain data shows a sharp split: short-term holders (STHs) now possess 2.8 million BTC at a loss,

. In contrast, long-term holders (LTHs) over the last month, with the week of November 13–19 marking the second-highest weekly whale accumulation in 2025. This pattern echoes previous cycles, where institutional buying often comes before bull market recoveries.

Analysts warn against comparing this downturn to the 2022 bear market, which

amid a series of collapses like FTX and Celsius. Unlike 2022, the current correction lacks systemic catalysts, with hash rates at all-time highs and ETF inflows stabilizing. , such as the repeal of SAB 121 and Ripple’s legal win, have also strengthened institutional trust.

Technical signals point to a possible inflection. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has dropped to 11, matching lows from 2022, but Bitcoin’s $90,000 support coincides with its 200-day moving average, a key psychological level.

, last observed during the March 2020 crash, suggest an overcrowded bearish trade.

Despite ongoing volatility, the market’s underlying strength remains. Stablecoin circulation has climbed to $252–303 billion, with $48 billion added in the first half of 2025 alone,

. Recent acquisitions by Harvard University, El Salvador, and MicroStrategy .