Crypto crash 2026: Bitcoin down 45% – what to do now

Crypto Crashes 45%: Should You Panic or Buy the Dip?

Bitcoin is down 45% from its October 2025 high as geopolitical tensions and Fed rate fears rattle the crypto market. History shows panic selling locks in losses—here’s what to do now and two trusted brokers to trade with.

Bitcoin eToro
Min. deposit
50$
Max. leverage
1:30
Bonus
Used by
30000000+
Min. Spread
0.5
Trading platforms
Own Platform
MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 5
Web trader
Deposit methods
Trustly, iDEAL, Rapid, Klarna, Wire
Regulated by
FCA
CySEC
ASIC
Open account
! 52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Crypto Crashes 45%: Should You Panic or Buy the Dip?

Bitcoin is down 45% from its October 2025 all-time high of $126,000, and the broader crypto market is feeling the pressure. The Iran war is pushing investors toward safer assets, and the Federal Reserve’s rate-hike concerns aren’t helping either.

If your portfolio is bleeding, here’s the reality check: don’t panic sell.

History shows that selling in fear usually locks in losses. Back in 2018, Bitcoin dropped over 80%—from nearly $20,000 to below $3,500—but those who held through the chaos eventually saw massive gains. Volatility isn’t a bug in crypto; it’s a feature.

Compare Top Forex brokers and start trading and investing with a trusted partner

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is currently at 26, deep in “fear” territory. That often signals a buying opportunity for long-term believers. If you’ve got cash on hand and a strong stomach, buying now means getting in at a discount compared to six months ago.

No one knows if we’ve hit the bottom yet. But with spot Bitcoin ETFs now available and institutional support stronger than ever, the foundation is more solid than in past crashes.

Two brokers to consider:

  • XM – Min. deposit $5, leverage up to 1:1000, trusted by over 5 million users. Great for flexibility and low entry.

Min. deposit
5$
Min. Spread
0.6
Bonus
Max. leverage
1:1000
Used by
5000000+
Trading platforms
MetaTrader 5
MetaTrader 4
Web trader
Deposit methods
Bitcoin, Sofort, UnionPay, Neteller, Wire, Skrill
Regulated by
FCA
CySEC
IFSC
ASIC
Min. deposit
5$
Max. leverage
1:1000
Bonus
Used by
5000000+
Min. Spread
0.6
Trading platforms
MetaTrader 5
MetaTrader 4
Web trader
Deposit methods
Bitcoin, Sofort, UnionPay, Neteller, Wire, Skrill
Regulated by
FCA
CySEC
IFSC
ASIC

  • eToro – Min. deposit $50, user-friendly platform with social trading, used by over 30 million traders worldwide. Ideal for beginners and copy-trading.

Min. deposit
50$
Min. Spread
0.5
Bonus
Max. leverage
1:30
Used by
30000000+
Trading platforms
Own Platform
MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 5
Web trader
Deposit methods
Trustly, iDEAL, Rapid, Klarna, Wire
! 52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Regulated by
FCA
CySEC
ASIC
Min. deposit
50$
Max. leverage
1:30
Bonus
Used by
30000000+
Min. Spread
0.5
Trading platforms
Own Platform
MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 5
Web trader
Deposit methods
Trustly, iDEAL, Rapid, Klarna, Wire
Regulated by
FCA
CySEC
ASIC
Open account
! 52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Risk disclaimer: eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.