December 2025 bitcoin sell-off: 8% plunge, near-$1B shakeout, then a snap-back

December 2025 bitcoin sell-off: key facts

The December 2025 bitcoin sell-off was abrupt, and it hit hard. Bitcoin fell as much as 8% to about $83,824 on Dec. 1, per Bloomberg. By early Dec. 2, bitcoin stabilizes near 87k, multiple outlets reported. Reuters and the AP noted prices around $86,650–$87,000 and roughly 30–33% below October’s record.

Here’s the twist: both crypto and global government bonds steadied on Tuesday. That eased the immediate pressure and tempered the panic.

Monday’s slump also capped bitcoin’s weakest month since mid‑2021, Reuters added. Sellers pushed spot prints below $85,000 at the lows before dip buyers stepped in.

Quick stats: December 2025 bitcoin sell-off

• Intraday low near $83,824 (Bloomberg).
• Prices around $86,650–$87,000 by early Dec. 2 (AP; Reuters).
• Roughly 30–33% below the Oct. 6 record (AP; Reuters).
• Derivatives saw crypto liquidations nearly $1 billion (CoinGlass via Bloomberg; Reuters).
• Ether near $2,719 at the low; Solana down 7%+ (Bloomberg).
• November outflows from U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs about $3.48–$3.6B (The Block; AP).

Timeline: November flows, Dec. 1 drop, Dec. 2 stabilization

First, the backdrop. After november spot bitcoin etf outflows accelerated through the month, bid-side depth thinned. Then, on Dec. 1, leveraged positions cracked. Across 24 hours, crypto liquidations nearly $1 billion piled up, according to Bloomberg and Reuters.

Meanwhile, altcoins joined the slide, and the ether and solana price drop amplified the risk-off tone. By Tuesday, bonds and digital assets stabilized, and trading ranges tightened, Reuters reported.

Bloomberg clocked the session low near $83,824. The AP said prices recovered to about $86,650 by early Tuesday.

What drove the December 2025 bitcoin sell-off?

You might be surprised that a central bank narrative was part of it. Markets braced for possible tightening in Japan, and rising JGB yields rippled through risk assets. Analysts flagged the bank of japan impact on crypto as bonds sold off and funding costs rose.

At the same time, november spot bitcoin etf outflows weighed on sentiment and removed a steady buyer. Forced unwinds did the rest, with crypto liquidations nearly $1 billion compounding the move.

The mood, said one sector investor, ranged “between fearful and resigned,” per Reuters. Yet by Tuesday the tape looked more orderly.

Altcoins and crypto equities drop alongside bitcoin

Ether fell roughly 8–10% to around $2,719–$2,756 during the rout, per Bloomberg and Reuters. Solana lost more than 7% at one point.

Crypto‑linked stocks fell as well. Coinbase dropped about 4.8% and Robinhood slipped roughly 4.1% on the day, the AP reported. Consequently, the ether and solana price drop echoed across equities tied to trading volumes.

Miners and brokers joined the downdraft as volumes thinned. Names from Riot to Robinhood tracked the intraday swings, the AP and Reuters noted.

Spot bitcoin ETF outflows in November: scale and context

By the numbers, november spot bitcoin etf outflows totaled about $3.48–$3.6 billion for the month. The Block, citing SoSoValue, called it the largest monthly outflow since February. The AP, citing Morningstar, pegged the pullback at $3.6 billion.

Moreover, Reuters pointed to record redemptions last month in U.S. bitcoin ETFs using LSEG data. The mixed data sources agree on direction, steady selling from funds likely set the stage for thinner liquidity.

Spot ether funds also bled, with about $1.42 billion in November outflows, The Block reported. That cross‑asset pressure likely compounded selling in majors.

Policy and platform shifts: Vanguard opens crypto ETFs; UK eyes donation ban

Access changed just as volatility cooled. Vanguard began allowing clients to trade third‑party crypto ETFs and mutual funds on Dec. 2. It reiterated no plans to launch its own crypto products, according to MarketWatch and Barron’s.

In policy, UK ministers are working to ban cryptocurrency political donations over anonymity concerns, The Guardian reported. However, officials say the measure is unlikely to make the imminent elections bill.

This move may broaden access to funds like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and vehicles tied to Ethereum and Ripple, per MarketWatch. But it stops short of endorsing crypto with a proprietary Vanguard product.

What’s Next

For now, bitcoin stabilizes near 87k as global bonds regain their footing. But the next impulse may come from central banks and flows. What no one is mentioning, access changes can subtly shift who buys each dip.

Watch the bank of japan impact on crypto if yields keep climbing or guidance shifts. Also watch whether Vanguard’s access move nudges retail flows back toward ETFs. And watch whether november spot bitcoin etf outflows reverse.

Finally, keep an eye on derivatives positioning and liquidity pockets. If forced selling fades and spot bids return, the December 2025 bitcoin sell-off could stay a sharp but contained reset. If outflows persist and macro tightens, volatility can return quickly.