Why Bitcoin Is Down: Price Flashes Red but Michael Saylor Still Expects $150K This Year

For the first time in seven years, Bitcoin closed October in the red – ending its long-standing “Uptober” trend. The digital asset’s decline reflects growing caution among investors as global markets turn risk-averse amid signs of economic cooling and renewed U.S.-China trade tensions.

Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25

Bitcoin traded around $106,190 at the time of publication, extending losses after a difficult October that saw a sudden flash crash drag the token as low as $104,000, according to CoinMarketCap. The decline represents a 3% decrease in the past day and a 7% decrease in the past week, respectively.

The cryptocurrency fell 3% in October, marking its first loss in October since 2018 and a break from what traders had dubbed “Uptober” – a period historically associated with strong gains in crypto markets.

• Bitcoin Declines Amid Tariff Concerns: Strategy’s Saylor Sees $150K Year End
• Why Is Bitcoin Down? Prices Face Rare Red October, Testing “Uptober” Legacy
• Why Crypto Is Going Up Today? XRP Price, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin Rebound After $19B Wipeout

The early-October selloff left Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term struggling to regain ground, even as other risk assets stabilized.

Fed Signals and Trade Concerns Weigh on Risk Appetite

A recently announced U.S.-China trade deal failed to provide much relief for markets. Investors instead focused on hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve, which signaled it remained wary of loosening monetary conditions too soon. The resulting drop in risk appetite pressured cryptocurrencies, which often move in tandem with broader speculative assets.

You may also like: Why XRP Is Going Down? Crypto Falls Today With Bitcoin and Could Drop 50% According to This New XRP Price Prediction

The era of physical cash may be drawing to a close, according to Standard Chartered’s Group Chief Executive Bill Winters. Speaking at the Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025, Winters said he envisions a world where every transaction settles digitally – a transformation he described as nothing short of a complete “rewiring” of the global financial system.

Source: Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025

Winters said that both Standard Chartered and Hong Kong’s financial authorities share the same belief: the future of money lies on blockchain rails.

Blockchain as the Foundation of the New Financial System

The Standard Chartered chief acknowledged that while the vision is clear, the exact structure of this future remains uncertain. For that reason, experimentation is crucial – and in his view, Hong Kong stands out as a global testing ground for innovation.

He praised local regulators for maintaining equilibrium between innovation and compliance Compliance In finance, banking, investing, and insurance compliance refers to following the rules or orders set down by the government regulatory authority, either as providing a service or processing a transaction. Compliance concerning finance would also be a state of being following established guidelines or specifications. This designation can also encompass efforts to ensure that organizations are abiding by both industry regulations and government legislation. Understanding ComplianceCompliance is a In finance, banking, investing, and insurance compliance refers to following the rules or orders set down by the government regulatory authority, either as providing a service or processing a transaction. Compliance concerning finance would also be a state of being following established guidelines or specifications. This designation can also encompass efforts to ensure that organizations are abiding by both industry regulations and government legislation. Understanding ComplianceCompliance is a Read this Term, creating an environment where new technologies can flourish under robust oversight.

Adding to the discussion, HSBC Group Chief Executive Georges Elhedery voiced strong confidence in Hong Kong’s financial future. He pointed to the bank’s $13.6 billion plan to privatize Hang Seng Bank as a tangible show of commitment.

Bitcoin Could Hit $150,000 by December, Says Michael Saylor

Meanwhile, MicroStrategy’s executive Michael Saylor, while speaking at the Money20/20 conference in Las Vegas, said he expects the cryptocurrency to reach $150,000 before the close of the year – and eventually soar far higher.

Saylor, whose firm holds one of the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin treasuries, told CNBC on Monday that his forecast reflects growing institutional interest in digital assets. “Our expectation right now is end of the year, it [Bitcoin] should be about $150,000,” he said.