Why Is Bitcoin Going Down? BTC Price Closes Its Worst Quarter in 7 Years

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The Bitcoin (BTC) price has entered a period of sustained decline, trading around $81,481 as of March 31, 2025. This marks four consecutive days of losses and a test of monthly lows, sparking concern among investors and traders alike. The broader cryptocurrency market mirrors this downturn, with risk-off sentiment taking hold amid growing macroeconomic uncertainty.

Bitcoin Price Dips Amid Market Volatility

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is valued at approximately $81,481 on the Bitstamp exchange—a 1.2% drop from the previous session. This fall has breached key local support levels and extended its losing streak to four days straight. The weekly performance shows a steeper decline of 5.45%, reflecting heightened market anxiety.

Bitcoin’s price movements over the past few days illustrate a consistent downward trajectory:

This pattern suggests weakening bullish momentum and increasing selling pressure. As Bitcoin fails to reclaim critical resistance zones, traders are closely watching whether the asset will stabilize or continue its descent toward the $80,000 psychological threshold.

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Macroeconomic Pressures Weigh on BTC

One of the primary catalysts behind Bitcoin’s recent slump is escalating macroeconomic uncertainty, particularly surrounding U.S. trade policy. Announcements of new tariffs set to take effect on April 2, 2025, have rattled global financial markets. These measures include:

Dubbed “Liberation Day” by former President Donald Trump, these policies have raised fears of a renewed trade war. In response, investors are rotating into traditional safe-haven assets like gold—now trading at all-time highs—while pulling back from risk-on assets such as equities and cryptocurrencies.

Paul Howard, Senior Director at Wincent, noted:

“Correlation with macroeconomic trends has become a dominant theme for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Observing how the Nasdaq is leading this sell-off provides a framework to attribute similar market behavior across digital assets.”

Indeed, the Nasdaq 100 has declined for four consecutive sessions, closing just above 19,000 and deepening its year-to-date losses. This tech-led selloff underscores a broader retreat from speculative investments, directly impacting Bitcoin’s price action.

Technical Analysis: Signs of a Bearish Trend

Technical indicators confirm the bearish momentum in Bitcoin’s price structure. The Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio has converged toward its long-term average, signaling that the market has cooled from overheated conditions. However, analysts caution that this does not yet indicate a bottom.

Yonsei Dent from CryptoQuant emphasized:

“No definitive bottom signal has emerged yet.”

Bitcoin failed to break through resistance at $87,500 and has since dropped below both the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) and the February 26 support level near $82,100. With each passing session, downside risks increase.

Currently, BTC is testing $81,287—the lowest point since March 14—representing a drop of over $6,000 (7%) in just four sessions. If selling pressure persists, the next major support level lies at $78,300, a floor previously tested earlier in March.

Notably, both $78,300 (support) and $87,500 (resistance) align with the boundaries of a descending regression channel drawn from Bitcoin’s January all-time high. This technical formation suggests continued consolidation within a downward trend unless decisive bullish momentum returns.

Key resistance levels to monitor include:

Until Bitcoin reclaims $87,500, the path to these upper targets remains blocked.

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BTC’s Worst Quarter Since 2018

Bitcoin’s performance in Q1 2025 has been notably weak. According to CoinGlass data, BTC posted a 12.5% quarterly loss, marking its worst first quarter since 2018—seven years ago.

While this correction may seem alarming, it pales in comparison to historical drawdowns seen during previous bull cycles, where declines exceeded 60%. Glassnode analysis highlights that this cycle has been the least volatile on record, suggesting underlying market resilience despite short-term weakness.

The current correction appears more of a cooling-off phase than a collapse. On-chain metrics such as the MVRV ratio trending toward equilibrium support this view. Additionally, institutional interest remains intact, as evidenced by neutral readings on the Coinbase Premium indicator—showing no extreme panic selling.

Still, investor sentiment remains cautious. The Fear & Greed Index sits at 26 (Fear) according to CoinCodex, indicating subdued confidence and limited buying appetite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why Is Bitcoin Going Down?

Bitcoin’s decline is primarily driven by macroeconomic uncertainty linked to upcoming U.S. trade tariffs. These policies have triggered a risk-off environment, pushing investors toward safe-haven assets like gold. Technically, BTC has broken below key support levels and failed to overcome resistance at $87,500, reinforcing bearish momentum.

Will Bitcoin Recover in 2025?

Yes—historically, Bitcoin has shown strong recovery patterns after corrections. While Q1 2025 was challenging, the 12.5% drop is relatively mild compared to past cycles. With potential Fed rate cuts later in the year and continued institutional adoption, recovery remains plausible.

Is This a Good Time to Buy Bitcoin?

For long-term investors, pullbacks can present strategic entry points. With the MVRV ratio nearing its long-term average and volatility lower than in previous cycles, current conditions may favor accumulation—provided risk management is prioritized.

What Are the Key Support and Resistance Levels?

Support is expected around $78,300**, while resistance lies at **$87,500 and **$92,000**. A break above $87,500 could signal renewed bullish momentum; failure to hold $78,300 might open further downside toward $75,000.

How Does Market Sentiment Affect Bitcoin?

Sentiment plays a crucial role in short-term price action. Currently in "Fear" territory (Fear & Greed Index: 26), weak sentiment suppresses buying pressure. However, extreme fear often precedes reversals, making it a potential contrarian indicator.

Could Bitcoin Still Reach $100K in 2025?

Yes—despite current weakness, multiple scenarios could propel BTC above $100K by year-end. These include Fed rate cuts, increased institutional inflows, or reduced geopolitical tensions. Technical models suggest a plausible range between **$78,000 and $110,000** depending on macro developments.

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Final Thoughts: Navigating the Downturn

Bitcoin’s Q1 2025 performance marks its weakest start since 2018, shaped by macroeconomic headwinds and technical breakdowns. However, context matters: this correction is modest relative to historical norms and occurs within a less volatile cycle.

While short-term risks remain—especially if trade tensions escalate or inflation data surprises—long-term fundamentals still support recovery potential. Investors should focus on key technical levels ($78,300 support; $87,500 resistance), monitor macro developments closely, and consider using pullbacks strategically.

As always in crypto markets, volatility is inherent—but so is opportunity.

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