Monday, November 17, 2025 — HighwayBitcoin News
Bitcoin extended its multi-week decline on Monday, briefly touching $91,800, its lowest price in six months, as macroeconomic uncertainty, fading Fed rate-cut expectations, and persistent fund outflows weighed on market sentiment. The drop puts BTC 28% below its October all-time high, fully erasing its 2025 gains.

BTC attempted a modest rebound early Monday but resumed its slide during U.S. trading hours, falling 3% in 24 hours and nearly 14% over the past week. Ether (ETH) hovered just above $3,000, down 2% on the day and 15% on the week.

Bitcoin plunged to $91,800, its lowest level in six months, now down 28% from its October all-time high.

AI-Aligned Bitcoin Miners Show Rare Strength

While most digital assets traded lower, a pocket of the mining sector bucked the trend — namely companies with exposure to AI and high-performance computing (HPC):

  • Hive Digital (HIVE) jumped 10% after unveiling a new AI cloud partnership with Dell Technologies.

  • IREN and Hut 8 (HUT) also posted modest gains following weeks of capitulation.

The divergence underscores a growing investor appetite for miners pivoting toward AI infrastructure — a segment that continues to outperform even as the crypto market weakens.

Fed Rate Cut Expectations Fade on Strong U.S. Economic Data

With the ongoing 43-day U.S. government shutdown disrupting official data releases, secondary indicators have taken on outsized importance.
On Monday, the New York Fed’s Empire State Manufacturing Survey surprised markets with a jump to 18.7, sharply above expectations.

This significantly reduced odds of a December rate cut:

  • Polymarket odds: 55% chance rates remain unchanged

  • CME FedWatch Tool: ~60% probability of no cut

Stronger output and lingering inflation concerns reduce liquidity — historically a headwind for Bitcoin and other risk assets.

CME Futures Gap Exerts Short-Term Pressure

According to CoinDesk Senior Analyst James Van Straten, Bitcoin may also be drifting toward an unfilled CME futures gap.

  • CME opened the week at $93,840, leaving a gap near $91,970 — just above current prices.

  • BTC tends to revisit these gaps, and the unfilled zone is acting as a short-term gravitational pull for traders.

Analysts: Short-Term Holder Capitulation Suggests a Local Bottom Is Near

Despite the accelerating correction, several analysts argue that Bitcoin may be nearing a local bottom.

Researchers at Bitfinex say realized losses are now stabilizing — historically a key marker observed before a market reversal. Across previous cycles, durable bottoms formed only once short-term holders capitulated into losses, a pattern now emerging once again.

Bitfinex highlights that the current drawdown is:

  • The third-largest correction since 2023

  • The second-largest since the launch of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2025

Both metrics increase the probability of a near-term bottom, barring new macro shocks.

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