Bitcoin (BTC) recently saw its biggest single-day loss since August 2024, which pushed it below the short-term holder (STH) realized price. The recent downtrend also appeared to have spooked institutional investors after Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest offloaded $9M in spot BTC ETFs. As fear grips traders, has Bitcoin entered bear market territory, or is a price recovery looming? Bitcoin price today trades at $88,246 with a daily high of $89,508. Bitcoin Price Shows Bear Market Signs as Instutions Offload BTC Bitcoin price is under bearish stress as institutions, including ARK Invest, offload BTC. The asset manager sold nearly $9M from its own ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) before buying $8.8M of Coinbase stock after the price dropped by 6%. The sale coincided with a record $1.1 billion spot Bitcoin ETF outflows . Bitcoin ETF Netflows The weak demand from institutions coincides with a downtrend in US stock markets after the S&P 500 flashed a sell signal . Financial markets have been reeling amid inflation fears and President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Is Bitcoin in a Bear Market? The recent drop in Bitcoin price caused jitters over whether the asset may be entering a bear market. Several factors suggest that while there is room for recovery, the bearish sentiment is strong. Bitcoin has dropped below the short-term holder realized price of $91,540 indicating that these holders are now sitting in losses. This may cause potential panic selling and increased downward pressure leading to a bear market. The realized price of short-term holders is now a key resistance level as this cohort will likely start selling if Bitcoin price registers an uptrend past $90,000. Bitcoin STH Realized Price Bitcoin holders also saw their biggest single-day loss since August 2024. Realized losses from traders selling during the downtrend hit a 2025 high of $1.7 billion. Such intense losses often cause negative market sentiment that may fuel a price drop. Bitcoin Realized Loss Additionally, the Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index has plunged to 21, its lowest level in three months. This shows a state of extreme fear and a strong bearish sentiment that may weigh on the price. Long-term Bitcoin Holders Accumulate Bitcoin Despite the institutional selling and short-term holder panic, long-term Bitcoin holders are buying Bitcoin. These traders recently bought 20,000 BTC, causing t he Long Term Holder Net Position Change to flip positive for the first time in nearly five months. Bitcoin Long-Term Holder Net Position Change Long-term holders tend to buy when prices are low are sell during rallies. However, while this accumulation shows a bullish Bitcoin price forecast , it still needs a surge in institutional and retail demand for a sustained uptrend. Bitcoin Price Analysis – What’s Next for BTC? Bitcoin price fell below a multi-timeframe support level of $92,534, which pushed short-term holders into losses. According to analyst Patric H, BTC needs to recover this level to trigger renewed bullish momentum and resume its uptrend past $100K to $116,000. However, if Bitcoin turns this support level into strong resistance, and falls below the 200-day EMA, it could drop to around $81,500. BTC/USD: 1-day Chart Bitcoin price still has room for a leg up past $90,000 if institutions and retail traders start accumulating the dip. However, selling pressure needs to ease for a sustained price recovery. The post Bitcoin Price Flashes Bear Market Signal as ARK Invest Offloads $9M in BTC ETFs appeared first on CoinGape .
