Will BTC Crash Below $85K as Stocks Slide?

Bitcoin price is facing renewed pressure as broader markets kick off the final full trading week of 2025 in the red. The Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow all reversed early gains on Monday as AI-linked tech stocks dragged sentiment lower. That weakness has spilled into crypto, with Bitcoin price now trading near $86,000, down roughly 1.5% on the day. Let’s unpack what’s driving the move and what the chart tells us about what’s next.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Macro Headwinds Tighten Their Grip

Investors are turning cautious again after the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut reignited worries that the U.S. economy may be slowing faster than expected. The upcoming labor market report, delayed due to the recent government shutdown, is expected to show a sharp cooling in hiring — with just 50,000 jobs added in November and unemployment ticking up to 4.5%, the highest since 2021.

That data backdrop matters for Bitcoin price. A weakening job market erodes consumer risk appetite and raises fears of a recession. In risk-off environments, liquidity often shifts toward the U.S. dollar and Treasuries, pulling capital out of speculative assets like BTC. Although the U.S. dollar index remains subdued near 98.30, it could find support if unemployment spikes, adding further downside risk for Bitcoin in the short term.

Technical Breakdown: Bitcoin Price Prediction Under Pressure

The daily BTC price shows a clear technical squeeze developing between the Bollinger Bands, signaling declining volatility before a potential breakout. Bitcoin price recent attempt to push above the 20-day moving average near $90,300 failed, and the price has now slipped below the middle band, indicating renewed bearish momentum.

Support lies around $85,800–$85,000, which has been tested multiple times since early December. A decisive close below this level could trigger a deeper correction toward $80,000, with the lower Bollinger Band and horizontal Fibonacci confluence offering the next major defense. On the upside, bulls would need to reclaim $90,000 to regain control, followed by a stronger push above $93,800 to confirm trend reversal.

The candles also show waning bullish conviction — the last few green sessions lacked follow-through, suggesting sellers are dominating rallies. Momentum indicators (not shown on this chart) would likely confirm a neutral-to-bearish bias, with RSI likely hovering near mid-range and trending lower.

Stock Market Weakness Adds Pressure on Crypto

The correlation between Bitcoin and tech stocks has tightened again. Monday’s drop in Broadcom (-6%), ServiceNow (-11%), and Oracle (-2.7%) dragged the Nasdaq lower by 0.6%, mirroring Bitcoin’s decline. As investors trim exposure to high-beta assets amid concerns of an AI valuation bubble, Bitcoin is caught in the crossfire.

At the same time, gold is quietly climbing — up 0.2% to $4,335, near its all-time high — showing investors are leaning toward safe havens rather than digital assets. Historically, such divergences have preceded short-term crypto pullbacks.

Prediction: December Could End Flat or Lower

If the jobs report confirms a hiring slowdown and unemployment rises above 4.5%, risk sentiment could deteriorate further, pushing Bitcoin price into a deeper consolidation phase between $80,000 and $88,000 for the rest of December.

However, the medium-term picture remains constructive. The Fed’s dovish stance — with three consecutive rate cuts — keeps liquidity conditions improving beneath the surface. Once macro fear peaks, Bitcoin could find its footing and set up for a rebound in Q1 2026, potentially retesting $95,000–$100,000 as traders price in easier policy and lower yields.

Bottom Line

$BTC price short-term outlook is fragile. The $85K zone is the line in the sand — lose it, and the path toward $80K opens quickly. But if BTC price can hold above support through this week’s volatile macro data, it could mark a base for a recovery into early next year.

In simple terms: December favors caution, but 2026 could reward patience.