Bitcoin’s Lucky October Streak Ends: First Monthly Loss in 7 Years Shakes Crypto Markets
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, is closing out October with an unexpected twist — its first monthly loss since 2018. After a seven-year winning streak, the “lucky month” for crypto traders has finally turned red, marking a near 5% decline for Bitcoin this month.
For years, October has held a special place in the crypto calendar, often associated with major rallies and record-breaking gains. But in 2025, the market’s optimism was replaced by caution, as investors grappled with global economic uncertainty, volatile policies, and a sharp downturn in risk appetite.
Market Jitters and Record Liquidations
The reversal came swiftly. Earlier in the month, U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese imports, coupled with potential export controls on critical software, rattled global markets. The news triggered the largest crypto liquidation in history, wiping out billions in leveraged positions within hours.
Bitcoin, which had recently soared to a new record high above $126,000, plummeted to $104,782 between October 10 and 11 — a dramatic 17% drop that reminded traders just how fast the market can move.
“That washout really reminded people how narrow this asset class remains,” said Adam McCarthy, senior research analyst at Kaiko. “Even Bitcoin and Ethereum can still see 10% drawdowns in 15 to 20 minutes.”
Caution Returns as Policy Uncertainty Grows
Adding to the volatility, the U.S. Federal Reserve pushed back against market expectations of further rate cuts, creating additional unease among investors. The ongoing government shutdown has also disrupted key economic data releases, leaving markets uncertain about the future path of monetary policy.
Meanwhile, concerns about overvalued equity markets added more pressure. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned earlier this month of a possible “significant correction” in U.S. stocks within the next six months to two years — a sentiment that rippled across risk assets, including crypto.
“Participants remain hesitant as they process what has become the largest liquidation event on record,” noted Jake Ostrovskis, head of OTC trading at Wintermute. “This caution persists amid ongoing speculation about vulnerabilities still lurking in the system.”
Bitcoin Still Up for the Year
Despite the October setback, Bitcoin’s broader performance in 2025 remains positive — up more than 16% year-to-date. Analysts suggest that while volatility may persist in the short term, long-term sentiment toward digital assets remains resilient.
As October ends on a somber note, the crypto community is once again reminded: in the world of Bitcoin, streaks can end as fast as they begin — and volatility remains the only constant.