Bitcoin and Ethereum dropped significantly on Tuesday, extending a recent sell-off that erased some of last week’s gains. The losses occurred as investors worldwide became cautious about investing, driven by renewed trade tensions between the United States and China.
Bitcoin expanded its losses on Tuesday as markets turned risk-averse as tensions between Washington and Beijing deepened. The cryptocurrency fell 4% after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports as of November 1. The announcement erased more than $500 billion of crypto capitalization worldwide within days.
Bitcoin is trading around $112,049, which is far off the record of last week at $126,000. Demand moved in favor of gold, which reached a further all-time high, as investors looked to protect themselves. The entire crypto market value fell 3.2% to $3.8 trillion, demonstrating a wide caution in the digital assets.
ETF data showed mixed institutional sentiment. BlackRock’s IBIT fund added 522 BTC of over $60 million on October 13, while other issuers experienced combined outflows of $326 million. Analysts stated that the redemptions point to the event of portfolio rebalancing ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s policy remarks.
Ethereum Holds Near $4,000 Despite Market Volatility
Ethereum is also down almost 4%, and is trading around $4,002. On-chain data indicates an increase in staking inflows of 3.2% this week, signaling confidence in long-term holders. Derivatives trading volumes rose 8% week on week, indicating a return of speculative activity.
In Asia, Bhutan announced its plans to migrate its National Digital Identity system from Polygon to Ethereum. Officials noted that the move will increase security and scalability to the nation’s 800,000 users. The entire migration is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Corporate accumulation is offering another bullish layer. BitMine Immersion Technologies bought $827 million in ETH in the sell-off to boost its holdings to 3,032,188 ETH, or about 2.5% of the circulating supply. This buying spree shows institutional confidence remaining despite short-term price weakness.
Market Outlook
The broader market remains on alert ahead of Powell’s speech, which could shape sentiment toward risk assets. Traders expect hints on rate-cut timing that may decide whether prices slide further or rebound. Bitcoin and Ethereum may benefit from the macroeconomic factors and rebound after the 4% loss.
Analysts believe the ongoing correction is shifting liquidity toward early-stage projects. Presale activity typically increases when large-cap assets consolidate. The search for stronger yields has revived focus on alternative investments, particularly among retail and mid-tier institutions. Consequently, this rotation suggests investors are preparing for the next growth phase, using presales to position early for the next rally.
Conclusion
Bitcoin and Ethereum each fell about 4%, reflecting renewed caution as trade and policy risks weigh on sentiment. Yet analysts note that opportunities still exist for investors willing to explore promising early-stage tokens.