Bitcoin is struggling to reclaim the $80,000 level after a sharp and prolonged decline that has erased over 30% from its all-time high. Selling pressure continues to mount as trade war fears and macroeconomic instability rattle global financial markets. The uncertainty fueled by aggressive tariff policies and geopolitical tension has accelerated the downturn, with altcoins bleeding even harder as investors rush to reduce risk exposure.
Many analysts are now calling for the official start of a bear market, pointing to broken technical structures and weakened sentiment across the board. Despite the bleak outlook, on-chain data from CryptoQuant reveals a notable absence of panic selling. According to their insights, HODLers — long-term holders of Bitcoin — appear to be responding with resilience, not fear.
The lack of “orange” bars, which typically indicate waves of capitulation, suggests that experienced market participants are not rushing to exit their positions despite the drawdown. This behavior could serve as a stabilizing force amid the chaos, signaling that foundational confidence in Bitcoin remains intact.
Still, with BTC hovering just below key resistance, bulls must step in soon or risk deeper losses as broader market weakness continues to apply pressure.
Bitcoin Bears Tighten The Grip — But HODLers Stay Calm
Bitcoin is trading at critical levels as bearish momentum continues to dominate market sentiment. Since late March, BTC has shed over 15% of its value, breaking down from key support zones and struggling to maintain footing around the $80K mark. The broader market outlook remains grim, with escalating macroeconomic tensions and the onset of a full-scale trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. As global financial markets reel from uncertainty, many analysts expect the downtrend to persist — with few signs of a strong recovery on the horizon.
While most headlines point to further declines, not all data is flashing red. Top crypto analyst Axel Adler shared a more nuanced view, highlighting an on-chain metric that could signal resilience beneath the surface. According to Adler, Bitcoin’s Daily Realized Profit Loss Ratio shows a striking absence of “orange” bars — a visual indicator for panic selling.
This lack of panic-driven exits suggests that HODLers — long-term holders known for their conviction — are not capitulating under pressure. In fact, their steady behavior may act as a buffer against deeper losses, signaling that despite the sharp correction, confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term outlook remains.
If bulls can reclaim momentum soon, this strong base of holders could help fuel a reversal. For now, though, Bitcoin remains trapped under bearish control, and the next few days will likely determine whether the $80K region becomes a launching pad — or the next floor to fall through.
BTC Price Struggles Below $80K As Bulls Fight To Avoid Further Losses
Bitcoin is currently trading at $79,600 after narrowly avoiding a deeper breakdown below the $75,000 level. Over the weekend, BTC showed signs of panic-driven weakness, but bulls stepped in just in time to defend the lower boundary of support. Now, the $80K level stands as the next critical threshold that must be reclaimed swiftly to shift momentum and spark a recovery phase.
A decisive move above $80,000 would signal renewed buyer interest and could help BTC begin targeting higher resistance around $85,000 — a key zone that bulls must take back to reestablish any kind of bullish structure. Failure to reclaim $80K in the coming sessions, however, could trigger another leg down. A drop back below $75,000 would open the door to testing deeper demand levels, potentially in the $70K range or lower, depending on market reaction.
The pressure is mounting as macroeconomic headwinds and trade war tensions continue to weigh heavily on investor sentiment. Bulls must act quickly, or the broader market narrative may turn even more bearish. For now, Bitcoin teeters on a tightrope — and the next few days will be crucial in determining whether recovery or further decline comes next.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
