As of November 21, 2025, the crypto market has lost over $1.3 trillion in value since early October’s all-time highs. Bitcoin (BTC) trades around $86,000 – down 31% from its $126,000 peak – while the total market cap hovers below $3 trillion for the first time in months. Billions in leveraged positions have been wiped out, ETF outflows accelerate, and sentiment sits in “extreme fear.”
This isn’t the first crypto winter, but the speed and macro ties make it painful. Here’s a clear, data-backed breakdown of what’s happening – and what savvy investors can do.
Quick Answer – Why Crypto Is Crashing Today (November 21, 2025)
The crash is a perfect storm of macro tightening and crypto-specific fragility:
- Macro risk-off mood: Fed minutes reveal deep divisions on a December rate cut (odds now ~40-50%), surging Japanese yields draining global liquidity, and AI/tech stock sell-offs spilling over.
- Massive liquidations & thin liquidity: Over $19B wiped out in October’s flash crash left order books hollow; recent 24h liquidations topped $800M-$2 B (mostly longs).
- ETF outflows & institutional caution: Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw billions in redemptions in November after huge 2025 inflows reversed.
- Sentiment collapse: Crypto Fear & Greed Index at 10-15 (“extreme fear”), social panic, whale profit-taking.
Should you panic?
This looks like a sharp mid-cycle correction amplified by leverage and macro headwinds – not necessarily the start of a multi-year bear market like 2022. Healthy bull markets rarely go straight up.
What’s Happening to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Major Coins Right Now?
Bitcoin Price Crash: Key Levels and Recent Move
- Current price (Nov 21, 2025): ~$86,000
- From October ATH ($126,000): -31%
- From early-2025 levels: Still up ~20-25% YTD but erasing post-Trump election gains Key support: $80,000–$84,000 psychological zone; breach could test $72K–$74K (April 2025 lows).
Ethereum and Other Majors: Tracking BTC’s Weakness
- ETH: ~$2,850 (down 7%+ in 24h, -35% from recent highs)
- Majors like SOL, XRP, BNB: Down 5-15% daily, highly correlated to BTC.
Altcoins, Memecoins, and Higher-Risk Tokens: Why They Fall Harder
Lower-liquidity alts and memecoins (DOGE, PEPE etc.) routinely drop 2-5x harder than BTC in risk-off moves due to thinner books and retail leverage. Many are down 50-90% from 2025 peaks.
Short-Term Reasons Behind the Crash
Leveraged Long Liquidations & Cascading Sell Orders
The October flash crash has already liquidated $19B+. Thin post-crash order books turned small sell pressure into waterfalls; recent sessions saw $800M-$2B daily liquidations (90%+ longs).
ETF Flows, Big Holders and Whale Selling
After $60B+ inflows YTD, November saw multi-billion-dollar outflows (BlackRock IBIT alone experienced record redemptions). Corporate treasuries (MicroStrategy, etc.) face margin pressure.
Thin Liquidity & “Air Pockets” in the Order Book
Market makers still scarred from October → wider spreads, sudden 5-10% gaps on low volume.
News Shocks & Regulatory Headlines
Fed hawkishness, surging Japanese yields, delayed US data from the shutdown, and lingering tariff fears all add fuel.
Macro Drivers: Why Crypto Falls With Stocks
Interest Rates, Inflation, and the Fed
Fed minutes show splits: many officials oppose a December cut, citing sticky inflation vs weakening jobs. Odds of easing plunged from 90%+ to ~40%.
Risk-On vs Risk-Off: Why Bitcoin Isn’t Always a Hedge
BTC now trades like a high-beta tech stock – down with Nasdaq/AI names amid growth fears.
AI/Tech Bubble Worries Spilling Into Crypto
Nvidia volatility and AI stock retreats drag sentiment; crypto seen as “leveraged AI play.”
Global Growth Fears, Politics, and Regulation
Japanese yield spike → capital repatriation; US tariff talks; pro-crypto Trump admin hopes faded against macro reality.
Is This a Healthy Correction or a New Bear Market?
How Big Is the Drop vs Past Crashes?
| Cycle | Peak-to-Trough Drawdown | Duration |
| 2017-2018 | -84% | ~1 year |
| 2020 COVID | -60% | ~2 months |
| 2021-2022 | -77% | ~18 months |
| 2025 (so far) | -31% | ~6 weeks |
Still far from bear-market territory.
Signs of a “Healthy Correction”
Moderate leverage vs 2021 peaks, strong on-chain HODL activity, institutional holdings intact (ETFs still +$50B net YTD pre-November).
Red Flags of a Deeper Downtrend
Funding rates negative, key supports breaking, macro worsening (no Dec cut, rising yields).
Current verdict: Painful correction in an ongoing bull cycle – similar to mid-2021 shakeout before new highs.
How Long Do Crypto Crashes Usually Last?
Historical Drawdowns and Recovery Timelines
- Average major correction: 30-50% drop, 1-4 months
- Full bears (70%+): 12-24 months. Post-halving cycles (like now) typically see mid-cycle dips before parabolic Phase 2.
The Role of Halvings, Liquidity Cycles, and Macro
2024 halving + ETF liquidity fueled the run to $126K. Global easing (if it returns) historically sparks the fastest recoveries.
Why Timing the Exact Bottom Is Almost Impossible
Focus on accumulation zones, not perfect timing.
Should You Buy the Dip When the Crypto Market Crashes?
“Buy the dip” works in bull markets if done disciplined, but only with money you can afford to hold 3-5+ years.
When Buying the Dip Can Make Sense
- Long horizon (2026-2030 bull expectations intact)
- Adding to BTC/ETH or proven Layer-1s
- Spare capital only
When You Should Not Buy the Dip
- Already over-allocated
- FOMO/chasing revenge trades
- Leveraged or short-term money
How to Buy the Dip Smartly (If You Decide To)
- Dollar-cost average (DCA) over weeks/months
- Focus on quality (BTC, ETH, strong L1s)
- Cap at 1-5% portfolio per buy
- Stagger orders below current levels
- Keep 50%+ cash for deeper dips
Quick Dip-Buying Checklist
- Horizon ≥3-5 years?
- OK with another -30-40%?
- Emergency fund in fiat?
- Buying liquid, high-conviction assets only?
What Should Investors Do During a Crypto Crash?
Don’t Do This
- Panic sell lows
- Revenge-trade with leverage
- YOLO into micro-cap memecoins
Smart Steps to Consider
- Reassess risk tolerance & timeline
- Rebalance to stables/BTC dominance
- Set DCA plans or limit buys
- Keep fiat emergency fund
India-Specific Notes
- Booking losses has no wash-sale rule, but 30% flat tax + 1% TDS on every trade eats returns in volatile times
- Stick to regulated platforms (e.g., Mudrex, CoinDCX) for safety
Which Cryptos Can Still Do Well After This Crash?
No promises – but history favours survivors:
Large Caps (BTC, ETH)
Recover first, dominate bear-to-bull transitions.
Narratives to Watch for 2026+
- AI agents/tokens
- Layer-2 scaling
- Real-world assets (RWAs)
- DeFi revival on lower rates
Avoid “100x in 2025” hype – most lottery tickets go to zero in bears.
Key Takeaways: How to Stay Sane in the Next Crash
- Main triggers: Macro tightening + leverage purge
- Watch: Fed Dec decision, ETF flows, liquidation heatmaps, Japanese yields
- Simple rules: Never leverage, size positions <5%, DCA quality assets, keep fiat dry powder, zoom out to cycle view
Crashes feel endless in the moment, but are buying opportunities in bull cycles. Stay disciplined, avoid emotion – the next leg up often starts when fear peaks.
Keep an eye on how Bitcoin is performing every day. If it is down, find out why here. And when it is up, understand the factors behind it here.
Ready to invest smarter through volatility? Explore disciplined tools like Mudrex SIPs and diversified Coin Sets on regulated platforms to remove emotion from the equation. The bull isn’t dead, it’s just shaking out weak hands. Download the Mudrex App now.
FAQs
Why is the crypto market falling now?
Fed hawkishness, global yield spikes, post-October thin liquidity, and $B liquidations created a risk-off cascade.
Why is crypto suddenly crashing today?
Nov 21 saw fresh $800M+ liquidations as BTC broke $90K support amid extreme fear.
Will the crypto market recover?
History says yes – every prior bear (2018, 2022) led to new highs. Post-halving cycles average 4-5x gains.
Can you make $1000 a day with crypto?
Possible with large capital & skill, but most lose money trading. Long-term holding/DCA beats day-trading for 95%+ of people.
