Bitcoin Plunges To $105k As Investors Shift To Gold After Crypto Carnage

Bitcoin fell sharply this week as investors stepped away from risky bets and piled into gold, based on reports from market outlets. Bitcoin slipped more than 5% to about $105,105 on Friday, extending a slide that left it roughly 13% below an October 6 peak near $126,000. Reports show crypto liquidations were heavy, adding to selling pressure in the market.

Gold, by comparison, climbed to fresh records. Spot gold pushed above $4,300 an ounce and hit a session peak near $4,312, while US futures briefly traded around $4,328.70, figures that reflect a broad rush into traditional stores of value as investors weigh economic and geopolitical risks. Some reports say gold is on track for its biggest weekly gain since 2008.

Several forces combined to push prices. Forced selling in crypto derivatives amplified downward moves: one report put liquidations at about $1.23 billion in a 24-hour span, with roughly $453 million of that tied to bitcoin and another $277 million linked to Ethereum. At the same time, worries about regional US banks and a renewed debate over interest-rate timing helped lift demand for gold.

Exchange-traded funds mattered. Gold ETFs posted strong inflows, and some funds hit long-term holding highs as money sought safety. Meanwhile, spot bitcoin ETFs showed net outflows in parts of the week, highlighting a shift in where big pools of money were parked. Analysts say that in times of market stress, the differences in liquidity and trade behavior between gold and crypto become more obvious.

Based on reports, the old debate about whether bitcoin behaves like “digital gold” got louder. A number of commentators pointed out that bitcoin’s large swings and its tendency to fall with other risky assets during selloffs weaken its case as a refuge.

Still, other market participants argue bitcoin has functioned as an investment vehicle for some investors this year, even if it does not always match gold in crisis moments.

Investors will be watching Federal Reserve signals and any fresh news about US banks for clues on where money goes next. If rate-cut expectations firm up, gold could keep rising. If risk appetite returns, some of the flows back into crypto might reverse.

For now, flows and prices show that a chunk of cash has chosen a traditional safe haven over crypto while markets absorb the recent wipeout.

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView