Bitcoin Falls Below $97,000 as ETF Outflows and Long‑Term Holder Sales Intensify

Market snapshot (as of 14 Nov 2025)

Bitcoin (BTCUSD) broke below $97,000 this week, dipping as low as $95,933 and marking a >7% weekly decline from recent highs. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $622.7M in net outflows for the week (including a single‑day outflow of $869.86M), while on‑chain data shows roughly 815,000 BTC sold by long‑term holders in the past 30 days. Roughly 249,599 traders were liquidated (~$1.11B, ~88% longs), amplifying near‑term downside pressure.

Primary drivers

Several factors combined to turn sentiment decisively bearish:

• ETF outflows — sustained redemptions from spot ETFs have removed a key source of demand and pressured price discovery.

• Long‑term holder selling — unusually large LTH distribution increases available supply into uncertain liquidity conditions.

• Technical & leverage stress — long liquidations and positions clustered around the 100k psychological level have created cascading risk as price fell below key moving averages.

Technical read — what traders should watch

• Moving averages: BTC is trading below the 365‑day moving average (~$102k) and the 50‑week EMA (~$100.9k). A convergence of the 55/200 DMA points toward a potential death‑cross if the pattern completes.

• Support / resistance: Immediate support zones sit between $94k and $100k; failure to hold $94k raises the risk of a deeper correction to ~$91k (a 2x Metcalfe band target) and then toward $85.5k (100‑week EMA).

• Momentum: Daily RSI is near oversold (~32), which could enable short‑covering rallies or range bounces toward the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement near $106,453 if momentum reverses. However, with broad selling pressure and ETF flows, rallies may be capped by the broken supports around $100k–$101.4k.

Trading implications and actionable strategies

Traders should choose a strategy that matches their time horizon and risk tolerance. Key approaches include:

• Short‑bias strategies: For tactical traders expecting continued downside, consider measured short positions while price remains below the 365‑day MA and key resistance levels. Target near‑term objectives ($94k → $91k) and use tight, data‑driven stops to avoid liquidation risk.

• Mean‑reversion / accumulation: Longer‑term buyers may look for evidence of capitulation (shrinking outflows, stabilization of funding rates, or stronger on‑chain demand) before scaling in. Accumulation bands to monitor: $94k–$100k for tactical entries, with plans to add only on confirmed support and lower volatility.

• Event & flow risk management: Monitor ETF flows, derivatives open interest, and liquidation clusters. Be prepared for volatility spikes around large redemptions or regulatory headlines that can rapidly change market structure.

Using automation and tools

Automated trading can help manage execution, size positions consistently, and react faster to shifts in flows and volatility. Consider tools that allow backtested rules, dynamic position sizing, and automated stop management. See our guide on slippage in fast markets for execution-risk guidance. PlayOnBit offers execution and signal tools built for volatile crypto markets — for example, a dedicated Bitcoin Trading Bot to automate entries and exits, and a Trade Assistant Bot for signal filtering and risk rules. Automated trading reduces human hesitation in fast moves and enforces disciplined risk management.

Risk checklist for BTC trades

• Size positions so a single liquidation event cannot wipe account equity; assume elevated volatility during redemptions.

• Use stops based on market structure (recent swing highs/lows) rather than fixed percentages alone.

• Monitor funding rates and futures open interest — negative funding and falling OI can signal deleveraging that may prolong declines.

• Keep an eye on macro flow: equity risk‑off, USD moves, and major regulatory announcements can change crypto liquidity dynamics quickly.

Conclusion

Bitcoin's breach of $97,000 reflects a confluence of ETF outflows, heavy LTH selling and leveraged liquidations. The near‑term technical picture is bearish, but oversold indicators and structural buyers may produce intermittent bounces. Traders should balance short opportunities with the risk of sharp, liquidity‑driven reversals and apply disciplined risk controls.

Automation and systematic execution can help retail and institutional traders manage these environments — whether capturing short momentum or scaling into dip opportunities. Explore PlayOnBit's tools for automated entry/exit management and signal filtering and consider trialing a purpose‑built Bitcoin bot to implement tested strategies efficiently.

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