Bitcoin, Ethereum Reach Multi-Week Lows Amid Market Turmoil

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices plummeted to multi-week lows in September 2025 due to mass liquidations and macroeconomic pressures.

The downturn underscores the crypto market’s vulnerability to structural pressures and policy fluctuations, sparking significant investor concern.

September Sees $23 Billion in Options Expiry Impact

Bitcoin and Ethereum faced a dramatic downturn in late September 2025, hitting multi-week lows. The event was driven by mass liquidations, historic options expiries, and worsening macroeconomic conditions.

Involved entities include major exchanges and futures markets, led by Deribit with the largest options expiry. The $23 billion notional value in contracts drove significant market shifts. As Deribit noted, “Traders have started liquidating and adjusting positions, anticipating the largest crypto contract expiration in history with a total value of around $23 billion” [3].

$1.70 Billion Liquidation Hits 410,000 Traders

The downturn led to massive financial losses, with $1.70 billion liquidated in 24 hours. This impacted over 410,000 traders, highlighting the crypto market’s volatility.

Liquidity pressures affected key cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH, with support levels breached. Institutional outflows signaled a cautious realignment amid macroeconomic fears, as detailed in a Federal Reserve speech addressing monetary policy and economic concerns.

“Red September” Echoes 2017 Crypto Market Correction

September’s negative trend for BTC, dubbed “Red September,” reemerged in 2025, echoing the 2017 correction but exacerbated by complex financial instruments.

Future outcomes remain dependent on regulatory and policy shifts as past Fed rate speculations indicated potential volatile spillovers. Market reflexivity may continue affecting investor positions significantly.

According to Jerome Powell, Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, “Downside risks to employment are rising. If those risks materialize, they can do so quickly.”