Autor Cointelegraph By William Suberg

Bitcoin (BTC) fell to its lowest levels in over three weeks on Thursday as crypto tracked fresh losses on South Korean stock markets.Key points:Bitcoin reached new local lows of $80,154 as downside pressure returned to South Korean equities.The KOSPI closed Thursday at 5,554 points, its lowest since early April, driven by a rout in tech stocks.Oil prices cooled, with Brent crude dropping more than 2% despite an “unjustifiable” Singapore fuel-tanker strike in the Strait of Hormuz.Bitcoin price nears $80,000 as KOSPI falls 7.5%Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD hitting $80,154 on Bitstamp, a level last seen on Sept. 20.BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe weakness came after South Korea’s Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, finished the day 7.5% lower, taking week-to-date losses to 15.5%.KOSPI Composite Index one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAs with earlier in the week, tech giants bore the brunt of the sell-off, with SK Hynix down 11% and Samsung Electronics finishing 9.5% lower on the day.SK Hynix stock one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAs Cointelegraph reported, concerns over AI debt obligations, foreign capital outflows and competition from China contributed to the South Korean market rout, with KOSPI’s 200-day moving average dropping to as low as 5,450 points, a level not seen since late July. It ended Thursday’s trading session at 5,554 points, marking its lowest daily close since April 8.Talking to local media publication The Korea Herald, Mirae Asset Securities analyst Kim Seok-hwan warned that global macro headwinds would add further friction going forward.“Volatility is expected to persist in the near term,” he said. “As domestic supply-demand conditions deteriorate, the market has become more sensitive to external risks, while a near-term improvement in the global environment appears unlikely.”SK Hynix and Samsung will release third-quarter earnings data on Oct. 28 and 29, respectively, potentially adding to downside volatility in investor tech sentiment should the numbers fall short of projections. Samsung is expected to confirm Q3 sales of 195 trillion won ($145 billion) and an operating profit of around 107 trillion won ($80 billion).Oil falls despite Singapore tanker sinkingDownside pressure on Bitcoin was compounded on the back of Wednesday’s higher-than-expected US inflation data.The September print of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in at 3.7% year-on-year, sparking a hawkish shift in market expectations of further interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.“Does the beat force further hiking — or does credit stress prompt policy recalibration?” trading company QCP Capital asked alongside its macro analysis seen by Cointelegraph on Thursday.Related: CryptoQuant’s 3 charts keeping Bitcoin’s ‘Uptober’ thesis validWith high oil prices accounting for a significant portion of the uptick in CPI, both WTI and Brent crude fell on Thursday despite mounting tensions in the Middle East. A Singapore-registered oil tanker was sunk in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, a move that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore described as “unjustifiable.”Speaking to CNBC, Firas Bechwaty, head of business development at online trading platform ICM, saw little chance of Hormuz transit volumes returning to levels from before the US-Iran war began.“At the same time, Saudi crude continues to reach international buyers through alternative routes, while accelerated emergency stock releases by IEA members provide an additional buffer, preventing a sharp rise in prices, even as tensions remain elevated,” he observed.At the time of writing, WTI traded below $95 per barrel, down 0.5%, while Brent was 2.2% lower at $103.7 per barrel.CFDs on Brent crude oil one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Bitcoin (BTC) fell below $82,000 after Wednesday’s Wall Street open as US consumer inflation beat expectations.Key points:Bitcoin dropped to $81,926 on Bitstamp after US September CPI inflation came in at 3.7% versus expectations of 3.6%.Fuel-price increases accounted for the lion’s share of the gain at 9.1% year-on-year.US bond yields spiked on the news, while gold fell to $4,079 per ounce.Bitcoin slips under $82,000 on higher US CPI printData from TradingView showed crypto, gold and stock-market futures dropping after the release of Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September.BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAt 3.7% year-on-year, this came in 0.1% above majority market consensus, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirmed. The increase in fuel prices around the Middle East conflict and oil-supply crisis was conspicuous.“The index for gasoline rose 9.1 percent in September, accounting for over half of the monthly all items increase. The energy index increased 5.2 percent over the month following a 2.1-percent increase in August,” an official release stated.US CPI 12-month % change. Source: BLSInflation nonetheless increased across the board, as core CPI — the index minus energy and food — also came in 0.1% higher than anticipated at 2.6% year-on-year.Commenting, Sonu Varghese, chief macro strategist at Carson Group, suggested that elevated figures should be a foregone conclusion.“The only surprise is that investors keep getting surprised by broad-based inflation. And we’ve yet to see the full impact of higher diesel prices and the AI boom,” he told CNBC.The latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showed markets adjusting expectations of Federal Reserve policy as a result of the data. The majority now favored a 25-basis-point interest-rate hike at the Fed’s upcoming meeting on Oct. 28, with the odds of that outcome at 53.7% versus 22.1% the day prior. For December, meanwhile, the odds of a second 25-basis-point hike stood at 50%.Fed target-rate probabilities for October FOMC meeting (screenshot). Source: CME Group“Taken in combination with the soft payroll numbers in the September employment report, the FOMC is probably on hold for any rate moves at the upcoming October 27-28 meeting although with a definite bias toward a hike in December,” said Theresa Sheehan, economic analyst at Econoday.As Cointelegraph reported, the next key US inflation data release, the September print of the Producer Price Index (PPI), is due on Friday.Analysis: High CPI “last thing global bond markets needed”Gold fell as low as $4,079 per ounce on the back of the CPI result, while US bond yields spiked.Related: CryptoQuant’s 3 charts keeping Bitcoin’s ‘Uptober’ thesis validThe 10-year yield, highly sensitive to energy-price triggers, hit 5.329%, around three basis points off new 24-year highs.“This is the last thing global bond markets needed. Prior to this number, it looked like the global bond sell-off was calming, but now bond markets are catching on fire again,” economist Robin Brooks wrote in a blog post.US 10-year bond yield one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBTC price action continued to circle a key area between $82,500 and $83,400, with analysis still waiting for the market to make a decision on its status as support.

Bitcoin (BTC) can still preserve its traditionally strong October performance, as onchain data points to a local BTC price bottom forming.Key points:Onchain data suggested that Bitcoin could still end October strong, following historical patterns. Bitcoin exchange reserves remained 1.7% lower than in mid-September, while whales avoided selling.Apparent demand neared a transition to positive readings for the second time in 2026.BTC price analysis flags “potential bottom” signalsNew analysis published on crypto analytics platform CryptoQuant Monday show onchain conditions in a state of “cautious optimism.” Bitcoin continues to weather mixed macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds, which include 24-year highs in US bond yields, rising oil prices and cooling capital inflows to exchange-traded products. These conditions have dampened optimism over Bitcoin delivering a strong performance in October.“Now, signs of a potential bottom are emerging,” CryptoQuant contributor XWIN Research Japan wrote.Since the start of October, conditions have changed to increasingly benefit crypto and risk assets. XWIN points to cooling expectations of interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve into 2027, boosting the odds of inflows improving. At the same time, markets expect more clarity over the US domestic political situation after the approaching Midterm Elections.“Less political uncertainty after the vote could help investors reassess allocations,” XWIN continued.Bitcoin exchange reserves, apparent demand and whale holdings give XWIN reasons to believe that October’s local low may have already occurred.The BTC supply on exchanges has fallen from 2.726 million on Sept. 20 to 2.68 million as of Tuesday, a decrease of 1.7%, despite a modest increase over the past week.Bitcoin exchange BTC reserves. Source: CryptoQuantAt the same time, the combined holdings owned by large-volume investors, or whales, remain above 3 million BTC. The cohort’s urge to reduce exposure has survived BTC/USD dropping from $87,000 on Oct. 2 to near $80,000 on Oct. 8.Bitcoin whale holdings (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuantBitcoin demand data stays bullish in OctoberApparent demand, a measure that compares newly mined BTC with changes in dormant supply, shows overall demand remains supportive.Related: Bitcoin keeps up pressure on $84K as US stocks skirt Korea tech sell-offThe metric has been negative throughout 2026, with a brief period of positive 30-day readings in the second half of August. Since then, demand has been negative, but has recovered to near-neutral levels as of this week.“These developments suggest conditions for a bottom are improving. Confirmation requires sustained ETF inflows, stronger US spot buying and continued demand recovery,” XWIN said. “‘Uptober’ need not mean uninterrupted gains: a correction can build the foundation for the next advance.”Bitcoin apparent demand growth. Source: CryptoQuantThis week, crypto asset manager Bitwise said that Q3 onchain data pointed to “crypto spring” after historically significant performance. CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju, meanwhile, announced what he saw as the start of a new crypto bull market in late August, calling the bear market “over.”

Bitcoin (BTC) continued to target $84,000 at Tuesday’s Wall Street open as US stocks attempted to shake off South Korea’s latest tech rout.Key points:Bitcoin approached $84,000 once more at the start of US trading on Tuesday, still up by around 2%.US equities avoided a copycat sell-off after Korea’s KOSPI index finished the day down 5.4%.Analysis from CryptoQuant warned of increasing US dollar strength challenging BTC price upside as DXY hit its highest level in 18 months.S&P 500, Nasdaq brush off KOSPI lossesData from TradingView showed BTC/USD returning to near $83,800 at the start of the US trading session, preserving much of its overnight upside.BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewEquities opened lower on the day after futures fell during Asia trading after Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index shed 7.4% over two days. Semiconductors led the losses amid mounting fears over AI expenditures and competition from China.Both the S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index made early gains to briefly turn green on the day, however, both gauges were off less than 0.5% at the time of writing.Nasdaq Composite Index one-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView“The most important development has been not just bond yields going up, but the volatility for bonds… and ​that’s starting to work its way out through asset pricing across the board,” Damien Boey, portfolio strategist at Wilson Asset Management in Sydney, Australia, told Reuters.  He said:“It’s a very uncomfortable situation on many fronts… maybe AI capex just comes off the boil a little bit, and maybe a few players are casualties in that.”Bitcoin remained caged around exchange order-book liquidity, which continued to act as resistance above $84,000, per data from CoinGlass.BTC liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlassRelated: BTC price support holds ahead of US CPI data: Three things Bitcoin traders need to know this weekDollar strength in focus as DXY hits 18-month highsBitcoin bulls are facing a double macro headwind this month, CryptoQuant contributor Darkfost said in market commentary on Tuesday.With bond yields circling their highest levels in nearly a quarter of a century, US dollar strength has increased markedly. The US dollar index (DXY), which compares the dollar to a basket of US trading-partner currencies, has increased by 5.5% since Sept. 9 and hit 102.57 on the day, its highest levels since April 2025.US dollar index (DXY) one-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewWhile the traditionally inverse correlation between DXY and BTC has declined this year, the post on onchain analytics platform sees crypto markets suffering from a lack of risk appetite. “Taken together, these factors constrain the liquidity available to markets and erode institutional confidence, leaving them reluctant to take on more risk.” he wrote in the blog post, adding:“The climate is therefore unfavorable for Bitcoin, which is perceived as a highly risky asset, while tech (NDX) and the S&P 500, more mature markets, continue to surge and absorb what little liquidity remains.”

Bitcoin (BTC) rebounded toward $84,000 on Tuesday as crypto markets skirted fresh losses for South Korean stock markets.Key points:Bitcoin diverged from plummeting Asian tech stocks on Tuesday, rebounding from a low near $81,000.Semiconductors led an exodus from South Korea’s KOSPI amid ongoing investors’ nerves over AI and Chinese competition.BTC price upside was capped at $84,000 by a wall of resistance on exchange order books.South Korea’s KOSPI loses 200-day trend line as panic returnsData from TradingView showed BTC/USD up more than 2.5% on Tuesday, reaching $83,944 on Bitstamp to retrace Monday’s drop.BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe gains came as a fresh tech sell-off gathered pace on South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index, which extended its losses for the week to 7.4%. The index fell below its 200-day moving average for the first time since late July.KOSPI Composite Index one-day chart with 200-day moving average. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSemiconductor stocks came under particular pressure, with SK Hynix closing more than 10% lower, while the rout compounded existing problems for Samsung after it reported lower-than-expected Q3 earnings last week. Foreign investors sold around 173 trillion won ($129 billion) worth of SK Hynix and Samsung shares since the start of 2026, accounting for the vast majority of year-to-date KOSPI sales.The weakness echoes August’s sell-off, when concerns over the AI boom and associated corporate debt obligations sparked sharp losses that soon spread to global markets.“Investors are jittery and looking for excuses to take profit on AI-related stocks that have outperformed this year, especially memory stocks,” UBP senior equity advisor Vey-Sern Ling told CNBC on Monday.Ling was among those who flagged competition from China as increasingly problematic for Korean investors, while acknowledging that the Chinese sector still faced “technology hurdles.” Bitcoin price rebounds despite waning ETF demandIn contrast to the August sell-off, Bitcoin avoided a copycat move and moved toward the upper end of its local trading range between $80,000 and $87,000. Related: South Korea moves to block 27 crypto websites, including KuCoin, MEXCAt the time, analysis attributed Bitcoin’s relative strength to potential monetary policy easing by central banks. Major US inflation data is due out this week ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Oct. 28 rate decision, with markets expecting rates to stay at their current levels of 2.75-4%.Bitcoin’s relative strength also comes despite declining investor appetite for BTC exposure in October, with outflows from the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recording $451 million in net outflows so far this month, including $69 million on Monday.US spot Bitcoin ETF netflows (screenshot). Source: Farside InvestorsTraders noted bulls’ had struggled to hold above $84,000 on lower time frames. CoinGlass data showed a thickening band of ask liquidity on exchange order books near that level. BTC liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlass