Bitcoin Faces Triple Threat After Plunging Below $78K: More Downside Ahead?

Bitcoin extended its sell-off this week, falling below the $78,000 mark and posting a roughly 13% decline over the past seven days. The move reflects mounting pressure from multiple fronts, as weakening institutional demand, derivatives deleveraging, and macro headwinds converge.

Outset PR, a crypto PR firm that blends data analysis with communication strategy, powers this piece. With a sharp eye on trends and timing, Outset PR helps blockchain projects convert critical moments into enduring visibility.

ETF outflows intensify liquidity drain

One of the most significant pressures on Bitcoin has come from U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Net outflows reached $817 million, as BlackRock’s IBIT led the withdrawals with $317 million in outflows, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC at $168 million.

January is now on track to record approximately $1.1 billion in net ETF outflows, marking the third consecutive month of negative flows. This sustained capital rotation suggests that institutional investors are reducing exposure rather than rotating within the Bitcoin ETF complex.

ETF activity has become increasingly influential. 

Spot Bitcoin ETFs now account for roughly 12% of Bitcoin’s 30-day trading volume, meaning persistent outflows can materially impact market liquidity and price stability.

Derivatives deleveraging adds pressure

At the same time, Bitcoin’s decline has triggered widespread deleveraging in derivatives markets. As price broke below key psychological and technical levels, leveraged long positions were forced to unwind, accelerating the downside move.

This type of liquidation-driven selling tends to reinforce bearish momentum in the short term, particularly when spot demand is already weakened by capital outflows. The combination of ETF withdrawals and derivatives deleveraging has left Bitcoin more vulnerable to sharp moves.

How Outset PR Leverages Data-Driven Approach in Crypto PR

Outset PR connects market events with meaningful storytelling through a data-driven methodology rarely seen in the crypto communications space. Founded by PR strategist Mike Ermolaev, the agency approaches each campaign like a hands-on workshop—building narratives that align with market momentum instead of relying on generic coverage or templated outreach.

Beyond just monitoring on-chain flows, Outset PR monitors the media trendlines and traffic distribution through the lens of its proprietary Outset Data Pulse intelligence to determine when a client’s message will achieve the highest lift. This analysis informs the choice of media outlets, the angle of each pitch, and the timing of publication.

A key part of the agency’s workflow comes from its proprietary Syndication Map, an internal analytics system that identifies which publications deliver the strongest downstream syndication across aggregators such as CoinMarketCap and Binance Square. Because of this approach, Outset PR campaigns frequently achieve visibility several times higher than their initial placements.

Outset PR ensures that each campaign is market-fit and tailored to deliver maximum relevance at the moment the audience is most receptive.

Oversold signals offer limited relief

From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin is showing signs of near-term exhaustion. The relative strength index (RSI) has dropped to 24.6, placing BTC deep into oversold territory. Such readings often precede short-term relief rallies or consolidation phases.

However, oversold conditions alone do not guarantee a sustained recovery. For Bitcoin to stabilize and regain upward momentum, markets will likely need to see a reversal in ETF flows and clearer signals that macro conditions — particularly interest rate expectations — are no longer tightening.

Until then, Bitcoin remains exposed to further downside volatility, with liquidity conditions and institutional positioning set to play a decisive role in determining whether the current sell-off deepens or begins to stabilize.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.