The crypto market is facing another sharp downturn as global risk sentiment turns negative, pushing investors into a broad risk-off environment.
Total market capitalization has dropped from over $3 trillion to just under $2.95 trillion, with Bitcoin sliding toward its November lows near $83,000 and shedding $5,000 in a single day, triggering fresh waves of fear across the market.
Heavy liquidations continue to intensify the decline, wiping out nearly $200 million in leveraged Bitcoin positions. Stocks are also retreating, reinforcing the strong correlation between equities and crypto, with persistent fear keeping the market at a low sentiment score of 20.
With uncertainty rising, traders are now closely watching Bitcoin price prediction models to gauge the next major move, while attention is turning to the best crypto to buy now as some projects show strong potential despite the market dip.
Summary
December Starts Rough for Bitcoin as Macro Pressures Trigger Sharp Sell-Off
Bitcoin kicked off December under intense selling pressure, dropping from $91,000 to roughly $85,000 within hours and wiping out the majority of last week’s gains. QCP Capital attributed the sudden volatility over the weekend to broader macroeconomic pressures weighing on the crypto market.
The Bank of Japan surprised markets with a hawkish stance, raising the likelihood of a rate hike and pushing the two-year yield to 1%. Meanwhile, China’s non-manufacturing PMI contracted for the first time in nearly three years, casting doubt on the region’s economic strength.
These developments sparked heightened risk aversion during the Asian trading session, amplifying selling pressure on Bitcoin despite supportive U.S. macroeconomic fundamentals.
Additionally, market concerns arose from indications that the Strategy Fund could offload BTC if its NAV level weakened. According to QCP, this prospect weighed on investor sentiment and further fueled selling activity.
These developments came amid rising optimism in the macroeconomic climate. Key drivers for Bitcoin included the end of US balance sheet tightening, growing rate cut prospects, and renewed inflows into spot ETFs.
Source – Jacob Crypto Bury YouTube Channel
Bitcoin Price Prediction
Bitcoin’s position below the 50-week moving average remains the central bearish indicator. Historically, sustained bull trends occur only when the price stays above this level, and falling beneath it has often signaled deeper corrections.
A retest of the 50-week MA would require a rebound toward $99,000, but failure to reclaim it leaves the door open for continued downside.
Previous cycles have shown corrections as steep as 77%, and while such extremes may be less likely today due to increased institutional ownership, a 50% pullback still places potential accumulation zones between $50,000 and $70,000.
Volatility is expected to persist, and a major move up or down appears to be forming as Bitcoin coils in a tightening range. Caution remains essential, as even broader market indicators suggest that deeper retracements cannot be ruled out.
Market Pullback Creates Opportunities in the Best Crypto to Buy Now
Oversold indicators across multiple assets suggest the market may be primed for a rebound, yet bearish pressure remains dominant as uncertainty grows around macro conditions, institutional behavior, and ongoing FUD in the sector.
Despite the turbulence, many traders are preparing for potential accumulation opportunities if prices continue to soften. Traders looking for promising projects are also turning to early-stage crypto, finding opportunities at lower prices for potential high-growth gains.
Below are two high-potential crypto presales that have raised millions in funding and are considered by analysts among the best crypto to buy now.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER)
Bitcoin Hyper is gaining significant attention as traders look for innovative layer-2 solutions with Solana integration, offering potential growth independent of Bitcoin’s current performance.
The project’s community has been expanding rapidly, and funds raised continue to climb as more investors seek early access before the official launch in Q1 2026. Buyers can participate using Best Wallet app or credit cards, with staking options up to 40% APY.
The presale activity has surged, raising nearly $29 million, reflecting the broader trend of investors flocking to high-potential new cryptos with low market caps ahead of the next altcoin season.
Market sentiment indicates that a potential Bitcoin bull run, possibly surpassing $130,000, could further fuel hype and demand for early-stage cryptos like Bitcoin Hyper. Early engagement could maximize rewards before its mainstream exchange launch.
Pepenode (PEPENODE)
Pepenode has emerged as an innovative presale project, introducing the world’s first virtual “mine-to-earn” meme coin platform. The project has already raised $2.2 million, with additional price increases scheduled in the coming days.
Pepenode allows users to build fully virtual meme coin mining rigs, purchase nodes, and strategically combine them to maximize rewards. Each node has unique properties, and upgrading facilities increases mining power, enabling higher earnings.
The system gamifies the mining process, offering leaderboards and bonuses that incentivize active participation. Users can also sell or upgrade nodes to optimize yield, providing flexibility within the platform.
Early supporters benefit from presale staking, boosting their mining output from day one. Overall, Pepenode combines creativity, strategy, and gamification to attract early-stage investors seeking high-growth crypto opportunities in a unique virtual mining ecosystem.
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