Bitcoin Slumps Again to $74K as Bearish Market Structure Intensifies
TL;DR
Bitcoin's price has fallen to a monthly low of over $74,000, marking a significant decline of $8,000 in just over a week. Analysts indicate a return to a bearish market structure as retail investors sell off assets.
Key points
- Bitcoin's price dropped to over $74,000
- Loss of $8,000 in just over a week
- Retail investors are selling assets
- Whales have set up buy orders
- Market structure has turned bearish
Bitcoin’s price troubles seem to have no end currently, as the asset just posted yet another leg down that drove it to a monthly low of just over $74,000.
This comes as popular analyst CW claimed that retail investors have been disposing of their assets, while whales have set up buy orders that can absorb the pressure.
Bearish Market Structure Returns
After losing $8,000 in just over a week, many analysts have turned the page on their price analysis. Jelle, for example, warned that BTC has dropped below both the 100D and 50D Moving Averages as the local market structure is “back to bearish.”
Previously, the analyst cautioned that a price drop beneath both these crucial levels could open the door for a more profound correction as “there’s a lot of untapped liquidity ripe for the taking below.”
Fellow analyst CW tried to bring some positivity to the table, arguing that bitcoin whales have stepped up by attempting to absorb the selling volume through buy orders at current price levels. After they removed their sell orders at higher prices, they are “absorbing selling volume from retail investors,” CW added.
CryptoPotato listed five reasons earlier today behind BTC’s crash, which at the time was stopped at $75,000. Some of them include selling from major investors, but perhaps the most valid one is the growing uncertainty and tension between the US and Iran. The most recent reports on the war front indicate that the ceasefire might be coming to an end soon, which has historically led to immediate price declines from risk-on assets like BTC.
What BTC Needs to Do
Another popular analyst, Daan Crypto Trades, outlined bitcoin’s potential path to recovery if it’s to rebound soon. The key level that has to be reclaimed remains the low $80,000 region with the “horizontal and Daily 200MA/EMA sitting right around” it.
He explained that the bulls need to “turn this into a higher low and proceed to break that resistance.” However, he warned that a failure to do so soon will become just another “lower high in what has been a bigger down trend ever since the October 2025 all-time high.”
$BTC It is still pretty straight forward from here looking at the chart.
Bitcoin needs to clear that low $80Ks region with the horizontal and Daily 200MA/EMA sitting right around the same region.
This is the first “bigger sell off” this leg up after the April move higher.… pic.twitter.com/01yL1CqatF
— Daan Crypto Trades (@DaanCrypto) May 22, 2026
Q&A
What caused Bitcoin's price to drop to $74,000?
Bitcoin's price dropped due to retail investors selling off their assets, while whales placed buy orders to absorb the selling pressure.
What does it mean for Bitcoin to be in a bearish market structure?
A bearish market structure indicates that Bitcoin's price is trending downward, having fallen below key moving averages, suggesting potential for further declines.
How much has Bitcoin lost in value recently?
Bitcoin has lost $8,000 in value in just over a week, contributing to its current price of approximately $74,000.
