The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price is back above the psychologically important US$100,000 mark today. But the world's first and biggest crypto remains well off its October all-time highs.
In afternoon trade on Thursday, Bitcoin is trading for US$103,020, up 1.6% since this time yesterday.
Wednesday saw the token tumble as low as US$98,962, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
That put the Bitcoin price down 21.6% since notching the record high US$126,198.07 on 7 October. And this saw the digital token enter a bear market, which is generally defined as any rapid price fall of more than 20%.
Still, longer-term holders should be sitting on some significant gains, with the price currently up 42% since this time last year.
And despite the past month's retrace, Bitcoin still commands a market cap of US$2.16 trillion (AU$3.32 billion).
To give you some idea of how big this crypto has become, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) – the biggest stock trading on the ASX – has a market cap of AU$296 billion. Meaning Bitcoin is valued at more than 11 times that of all outstanding CBA shares.
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What are the experts saying about the Bitcoin price crash?
Zerocap's Mark Hiriart noted that Wednesday's Bitcoin price fall "marks a four-month low and tests the psychological US$100,000 support level".
"Short-term, it could be a local bottom if buyers defend here," Hiriart said. "There's a risk of further downside if US$100,000 fails, however."
In an important reminder to crypto investors, he cautioned, "In volatile drawdowns like this, discipline is paramount, as crypto's leverage amplifies emotions and some of these wild price swings."
Hiriart concluded:
Historically, November has been BTC's strongest month, but this 'healthy correction' aligns with patterns seen in prior cycles, where post-euphoria dips precede stronger legs up.
At Zerocap, we're viewing this as a rebalancing rather than a structural break, though vigilance on Fed liquidity signals remains key.
BTC Markets analyst Rachael Lucas believes the selling action may not be over yet (quoted by The Australian Financial Review).
"Bitcoin's plunge below $US100,000 isn't just a price dip, it's a signal that the market may be entering a new phase," Lucas said. "ETF outflows suggest major players are heading for the exits, with demand now trailing mining supply for the first time in seven months."
Here in Australia, however, Global X said the slumping Bitcoin price hadn't had much of an impact on ETF flows.
"This suggests that Australian investors may be adopting a more long-term perspective on digital assets than our counterparts across the Pacific," Global X investment analyst Justin Lin said.
