Will Bitcoin's $100K milestone trigger another sell-off?

Bitcoin (BTC) has been making headlines recently as it approaches the crucial psychological milestone of $100,000. Having briefly touched this level in late 2024, the flagship cryptocurrency experienced a sharp sell-off, sparking discussion about what could happen when this price is reached again.

As the leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin’s price movements often have a significant impact on the broader digital asset market, especially on altcoins, which tend to follow Bitcoin’s price action, usually amplifying its movements.

This correlation is driven by several factors, including market psychology, capital flows, and the relative liquidity of different cryptocurrencies. For example, when Bitcoin experienced a surge to $100,000 in late 2024, major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) also rallied, albeit at a slower pace.

However, as Bitcoin faced a steeper correction from this price point, altcoins were sold off more sharply due to liquidity constraints and traders booking profits.

This dynamic is crucial for traders to understand, especially in the context of Bitcoin’s sustained rally throughout 2024 and 2025. As Bitcoin encountered resistance at $100,000, sparking a 10-15% sell-off, it also triggered broader weakness in the altcoin market.

Bitcoin faces key resistance

Historically, Bitcoin has encountered significant resistance at major psychological price levels. Earlier milestones, like $10,000 in 2017 and $50,000 in 2021, saw similar instances of surges being met with subsequent pullbacks as market sentiment shifted.

After reaching a high of $103,000 in November 2024, Bitcoin experienced a 12% correction, aligning with technical analysis predictions from industry figures like Ben Armstrong, who anticipated a 10-15% sell-off from the $100,000 level.

What will happen when BTC hits $100k?

In the latter half of 2024, as Bitcoin rallied from the $80,000 range to $100,000, there was a massive spike in trading volume, and leverage in derivatives markets went through the roof, showcasing the speculative fervor at the time.

On-chain data also showed increased activity from large Bitcoin wallets, commonly known as "whales," transferring funds to exchanges, which could be a sign of potential selling pressure.

Moreover, at the time, FastOptical, a well-known crypto analyst, mentioned that there will be a huge sell wall at $100,000, which is evident in ChainStatsPro's market depth and order books snapshot. However, not every leg up was met with a dump.

For instance, in the third quarter of 2024, Bitcoin experienced several weeks of consolidation around the $95,000 level without a major correction. This was supported by strong institutional buying activity, evidenced by persistent inflows into crypto ETFs and other investment products.

The key differentiator appears to be the broader market conditions. When there is overheated market sentiment—high funding rates on derivatives exchanges, excessive leverage in the market, and a strong presence of short-term traders—it often precedes a sell-off.

On the other hand, when there is sustained institutional accumulation, it helps mitigate the impact of traders booking profits, especially during Bitcoin's approaches to key psychological milestones.

As of May 2025, with Bitcoin's price still hovering around the $98,000 level, there is low leverage in the market, and the broader market sentiment is relatively balanced. This suggests that a breakout above $100,000 could be on the cards. However, it's crucial for traders to be prepared for the possibility of sudden shifts in market trends.

Is the bull market over?

Earlier this year, crypto trader "CRYPTO_MOMO_" pointed out that Bitcoin encountered strong resistance at the $50,000-$52,000 range during previous bull cycles.

This time, as Bitcoin approaches the $100,000 resistance, it's encountering weaker defense, which could indicate a continuation of the bull market. Additionally, lower timeframes are showing signs of bullish divergence, further suggesting that a rally is in the works.

Furthermore, if Bitcoin manages to close a monthly candle above $95,000, it could set the stage for another leg up to $110,000-$115,000. A breakthrough above $100,000 would also pave the way for a rally towards the $120,000-$125,000 zone.