Bitcoin dropped under the $64,000 threshold on Friday as rising US Treasury yields bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve may deliver additional interest-rate hikes before the end of 2026. The largest cryptocurrency fell more than 1.6% during Wall Street trading hours, extending a correction that has erased gains from earlier in the week.
The sell-off comes as risk assets broadly retreated under the weight of macroeconomic headwinds and renewed geopolitical concerns. Traders are now watching whether Bitcoin can hold the $64,000 support level or if further downside pressure will push prices lower.
What Happened: Bond Yields and Binance Bid Walls
Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD sliding toward the $64,000 mark multiple times on July 24, with each dip met by aggressive bid liquidity on Binance. Crypto trader Killa identified what they described as a "plunge protection team" operating on the exchange — layers of buy-side orders stacked below the spot price designed to absorb selling pressure and prevent a deeper rout.
Textbook setup on $BTC. Seen this occur numerous times," Killa said on X, sharing an order-book chart showing dense bid clusters beneath the prevailing market price. The same pattern was observed in early June, the trader noted.
Trading firm Mosaic Asset Company pointed to the US bond market as the primary catalyst. "Massive moves are underway across the yield curve despite a weaker than expected consumer inflation report," the firm said in a market note. The US two-year Treasury yield has climbed to 4.31%, a level that Mosaic said sits "well above the Federal Reserve's target range.
The two-year yield is particularly influential on Fed rate expectations, and its sustained rise has effectively repriced the probability of future hikes. CME Group's FedWatch Tool showed markets still anticipate the Fed holding rates steady at its next meeting but now price in a 0.25% increase in September as one of two expected hikes before year-end.
Analytics account Wealthmanager flagged $64,000 as a critical level, warning that a confirmed break below it would "invalidate" the current low-timeframe market structure.
Why It Matters: Macro Pressure Meets Technical Support
Bitcoin is caught between conflicting forces. On one side, rising bond yields and a hawkish Fed outlook are draining capital from speculative assets. On the other, algorithmic buying programs and exchange-level bid walls are providing short-term price support.
The relationship between US Treasury yields and crypto prices has grown tighter as institutional participation has increased. When bond yields rise, the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like Bitcoin increases, encouraging rotation out of risk-on positions.
Geopolitical tensions have compounded the pressure, with traders reducing exposure to volatile assets across the board. The combination of macro and geopolitical uncertainty has created a fragile environment where even routine sell-offs can accelerate quickly if support levels fail.
For Bitcoin, the $64,000 zone represents more than just a round number. It has acted as both resistance and support in recent weeks, and a decisive move below it could open the door to a retest of $60,000.
Market Impact: BTC, Sentiment, and Technical Patterns
Bitcoin's decline reflects broader weakness across digital asset markets. The total crypto market cap contracted in step with BTC's drop as altcoins followed the largest cryptocurrency lower.
From a technical perspective, trader and analyst Rekt Capital noted that Bitcoin is mirroring its 2022 bear market behavior. The price is rejecting from the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA) currently located at $65,950, a level that has historically marked major tops and bottoms.
Bitcoin hasn't really offered any evidence to the contrary. Still following 2022 historical tendencies," Rekt Capital summarized, pointing to the monthly chart structure.
BTC supply in profit is approaching 60%, a level that some analysts interpret as a potential recovery signal, though the same metric also suggests that a significant portion of holders are near break-even and may sell if prices dip further.
Expert Opinions: What Analysts Are Watching
Mosaic Asset Company identified the two-year yield as the key variable to monitor. As long as it remains elevated, risk assets including Bitcoin will face persistent headwinds. The firm noted that Treasury yields are rising despite a softer-than-expected CPI print, suggesting that bond markets are pricing in factors beyond inflation — including potential supply increases and fiscal policy expectations.
Killa's "plunge protection team" thesis has drawn attention because it suggests that Binance or large market participants are deliberately placing bid liquidity to prevent a disorderly breakdown. Whether that support holds on a retest of $64,000 is the central question facing short-term traders.
Rekt Capital's long-term framing warns that if Bitcoin continues following its 2022 pattern, the current rejection from the 50-month EMA could precede an extended period of sideways or lower price action.
**Why did Bitcoin drop below $64,000?** Bitcoin fell under $64,000 as rising US Treasury yields boosted expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate hikes, reducing appetite for risk assets including cryptocurrencies.
**What is the "plunge protection team" in crypto?** The term refers to large bid orders placed on exchanges like Binance that create a floor under Bitcoin's price. Trader Killa identified this pattern of aggressive bid liquidity appearing whenever BTC approaches the $64,000 level.
**How high have US bond yields gone?** The US two-year Treasury yield has climbed to 4.31%, a level that trading firm Mosaic Asset Company said sits well above the Federal Reserve's target range and is putting downward pressure on stocks and crypto.
**What does the FedWatch Tool say about rate hikes?** CME Group's FedWatch Tool shows markets expect the Fed to hold rates steady at its next meeting but price in a 0.25% hike in September as one of two increases expected before the end of 2026.
**Is Bitcoin repeating its 2022 bear market?** Analyst Rekt Capital notes that Bitcoin is rejecting from the 50-month EMA at $65,950, a pattern that mirrors the 2022 bear market. The analyst says BTC has not provided any evidence to the contrary.
**What happens if Bitcoin loses $64,000?** A confirmed break below $64,000 would invalidate the current low-timeframe bullish structure, according to analyst Wealthmanager, and could open the door to a deeper correction toward $60,000.
**How do bond yields affect Bitcoin prices?** Rising bond yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like Bitcoin, prompting rotation out of risk-on positions. This relationship has strengthened as institutional participation in crypto has grown.
**Should I sell my Bitcoin during this dip?** This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investments carry risk. Readers should conduct their own research before making any financial decisions.
Bitcoin's dip below $64,000 is the latest reminder that macro factors — not just crypto-native catalysts — drive price action in today's institutional market. With US bond yields rising, Fed rate-hike odds climbing, and technical patterns echoing the 2022 bear market, traders should watch the $64,000 support level closely in the coming sessions.
For ongoing coverage of Bitcoin price action, macroeconomic trends, and market analysis, explore our full Markets section and stay updated with the latest data from TradingView and CME Group's FedWatch Tool.