The ongoing decline in the cryptocurrency market continued throughout the week ending October 25, 2026. Among the five largest non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies, four ended the week lower, with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) seeing decreases of 2.27% and 3.95%, respectively. The downturn was not sudden, but rather a gradual decline where each rally was met with selling pressure.
The overall situation is more concerning than what the weekly figures indicate. Year-to-date statistics show Ethereum falling over 21%, Solana down more than 19%, and XRP dropping nearly 30%. Bitcoin, often seen as the market’s foundation, has lost 8.34% in 2026. Only BNB managed to post a weekly gain, although it remains 14.56% below its starting point this year.
Update on Major Coins as of October 25, 2026:
| Coin | Price | 24h Change | 7d Change | YTD Change | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $BTC | $80,217 | -0.44% | -2.27% | -8.34% | $1.61T |
| $ETH | $2,324 | -1.85% | -3.95% | -21.67% | $283.92B |
| $BNB | $737.53 | +0.72% | +2.05% | -14.56% | $96.99B |
| $XRP | $1.29 | +0.80% | -0.61% | -29.86% | $81.75B |
| $SOL | $100.62 | -1.01% | -3.31% | -19.17% | $59.34B |
For live updates on these coins, visit our crypto prices page.
What is Causing the Current Crypto Market Decline?
The simple answer: external factors are at play. This week’s decline in cryptocurrency markets can primarily be attributed to broader economic trends. Four significant factors contributed simultaneously:
- Inflation Data: The US consumer price index for September registered at 3.7%, exceeding the anticipated 3.6%. This unexpected figure dampened expectations for a swift rate cut from the Federal Reserve, leading to rising Treasury yields and a stronger dollar. Higher yields make non-revenue-generating assets, like crypto, less attractive.
- Oil Prices and Bond Yields: A notable rise in oil prices contributed to inflation expectations, spurring concerns about persistent inflation. This dynamic prompted a sell-off across equities, gold, and cryptocurrencies on October 22, signaling that investors opted to de-risk across various asset classes.
- ETF Outflows: Significant capital left US Bitcoin ETFs, amounting to approximately $681 million the week before and an additional $228.6 million last week. Ethereum ETFs also experienced similar outflows, indicating institutions were selling instead of providing market support.
- Liquidation of Leverage: Recent market headlines have triggered closures of leveraged long positions. Earlier this month, over $650 million in long positions were liquidated, creating a dynamic where forced selling exacerbated the downturn, turning minor dips into larger market declines.
We have detailed the daily movements in our articles Crypto Market Sees a 4.2% Drop in One Day and Why is Bitcoin Struggling Below $82,000?. For further information on liquidations, market dominance, and the Fear and Greed index, see our charts page.
How Much Did Bitcoin Price Decrease This Week?
The price of Bitcoin concluded the week at $80,217, reflecting a 2.27% decrease over seven days and a 0.44% drop in the last 24 hours. The lack of panic is evident in the minimal 1-hour change of +0.08%, demonstrating the absence of buying interest. Bitcoin remained largely between $80,000 and $82,000, with any upward movements met by selling from ETFs.
Maintaining the $80,000 level has been crucial, as it has consistently closed above this mark. Although the weekly decline appears limited compared to altcoin losses, this does not necessarily indicate market strength. With $19.09 billion traded in 24 hours against a $1.61 trillion market cap, liquidity remains low for an uneasy market.
Year-to-date, Bitcoin is down 8.34%. This figure is concerning for an asset expected to gain from the ETF landscape, contributing to the decline of Bitcoin’s dominance narrative. Although Bitcoin is decreasing at a slower rate than others, it is still in a downward trend.
Why Did Ethereum Experience a Greater Decline Than Bitcoin?
Ethereum closed the week at $2,324, which translates to a 3.95% decline over the past seven days and a 1.85% drop in the last 24 hours. This is nearly double Bitcoin’s reduction and is not coincidental. Ethereum has consistently outpaced Bitcoin in losses during this market downturn, resulting in a year-to-date decline of 21.67%.
Two main structural factors contribute to this disparity. First, Ethereum is frequently traded with higher levels of leverage on the futures market, amplifying the impact of liquidation waves on ETH compared to BTC. Second, a significant portion of decentralized finance (DeFi) activities uses Ether as collateral. When Ethereum’s value decreases, loan positions approach their liquidation thresholds, triggering additional selling pressure, which decreases prices further. This creates a feedback cycle that is less pronounced in Bitcoin.
Additionally, the outflows from Ethereum ETFs compound issues, leading to a scenario where both institutional interest and on-chain support are dwindling. The $2,300 mark is critical; if it breaks, the market may revisit the $2,000 level last seen during the spring downturn.
Which Altcoins Suffered the Most, and Which One Managed to Hold Steady?
- Solana was the weakest among the top cryptocurrencies, with a decline of 3.31% over the week to $100.62. The critical $100 threshold is close to being breached following a string of poor sessions. Solana still exhibits the highest beta among major coins: it rises sharply during market optimism and suffers significant losses when liquidity decreases. With a year-to-date loss of 19.17% and only $1.99 billion in daily trading volume, the support under $100 will be tested soon.
- XRP experienced a slight drop of 0.61% to $1.29. Although this weekly change appears stable, XRP has been the poorest performer this year, down 29.86%. The coin has slid slowly for months, exhibiting a 24-hour gain of 0.80% this week, indicating a short-term bounce rather than a trend reversal.
- BNB stood out as an exception. It gained 2.05% this week, closing at $737.53, making it the only significant cryptocurrency to record a weekly increase. Demand for exchange tokens tends to remain robust when trading volume is high, and recent volatility has kept Binance’s trading activities lively. Nonetheless, BNB is still 14.56% down year-to-date, indicating that the weekly gain reflects relative resilience rather than a market uptrend.
Is the Crypto Market Decline Over, or Are Further Drops Possible?
While predicting a market bottom with certainty is difficult, three indicators may suggest future trends.
- ETF Flows: The crypto downturn cannot stabilize as long as outflows from US spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs continue. A week of positive inflows would signal that institutions are returning. Until that occurs, any upward movement is likely to meet selling pressure.
- The Federal Reserve and Economic Data: Upcoming inflation reports and the Fed’s response will have more influence than crypto-specific events. A favorable CPI reading could reduce yields and weaken the dollar, providing much-needed relief for risk assets. Conversely, another negative reading would exacerbate the situation.
- Key Support Levels: Bitcoin holding the $80,000 mark, Ethereum at $2,300, and Solana near $100 are critical for the market. If these levels hold throughout the coming week, the downturn may signify a correction losing momentum. Breaking these support lines may signal further declines, particularly leading altcoins downwards once more.
Silver Lining: Short-term price changes have significantly decreased, indicating that sellers may be losing steam. This is often how market bottoms begin to form, quietly and without fanfare. However, mere calmness does not equate to safety, and current data does not confirm that buyers are returning yet.