BTC price update: Bitcoin, crypto market could plummet again on ‘Witching Friday.’ Here’s why

Core Insights - Bitcoin investors are preparing for "Witching Friday" on December 18, which could lead to significant market volatility due to the expiration of approximately $23 billion in options contracts on Deribit, the largest Bitcoin exchange [1]. Group 1: Understanding "Witching Friday" - "Witching Friday," also known as "triple witching," occurs on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December, when stock index futures, stock index options, and stock options expire simultaneously, often resulting in increased market volatility [2]. - The expiration of these contracts typically generates higher trading activity and larger price swings, as it triggers buying or selling of the underlying securities [3]. Group 2: Current Market Conditions - Leading up to "Witching Friday," Bitcoin has been experiencing a decline, trading down nearly 1% to $85,184, influenced by the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut and uncertainty regarding the macroeconomic environment, including potential rate hikes from the Bank of Japan and concerns over U.S. inflation in 2026 [4][5]. - Other cryptocurrencies are also affected, with XRP falling nearly 2% to around $1.82, while Ethereum remains stable at $2,802 [5].