Bitcoin’s Struggle, XRP’s Doom & The Crypto Scam Epidemic: What’s Next?

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As Thursday dawns, Bitcoin, that ever-dramatic creature, is valiantly attempting to rise above the $109,000 mark. However, as is often the case, it’s not without a little twist from the derivatives market-right now, shorts are suffering a liquidation wipeout seven times worse than their long counterparts. Meanwhile, XRP traders gaze upon the dreaded “death cross,” that dark omen in the charts, while Ripple‘s CTO, David Schwartz, kindly reminds us that the true weak link in crypto is not the blockchain, but, of course, the delightful human error. All while phishing attacks on hardware wallets are becoming as common as tea and crumpets on a rainy afternoon. ☕

TL;DR

  • Bitcoin: $109,449, liquidation imbalance at 700%, resistance at $114,000, danger zones below $106,600.
  • XRP: $2.41, trapped under $2.62 resistance, death cross confirms downside momentum to $2 and $1.95 rails.
  • Scam alert: Ripple CTO points to phishing scams as crypto’s biggest vulnerability right now, and it’s happening fast.

Bitcoin: A True Tale of Woe with 700% Liquidation Imbalance

Bitcoin, ever the tempestuous spirit, has found some fleeting solace at $109,449 after bouncing off the more dismal lows of $106,000. But, as with all things crypto, relief is but a brief reprieve, and the bigger charts reveal a disturbing lack of stability. Alas, Bitcoin struggles beneath the heavy weight of the $114,000 resistance level, which is rather like a stubborn glass ceiling, refusing to yield. Should it manage to break through, there’s a glimmer of hope at $118,000-$120,000. But, as the fates would have it, the current trajectory hints at nothing more than a sideways crawl. How delightful.

The liquidation drama unfolds, as a shocking $17.25 million was liquidated in just four hours, with shorts enduring the brunt of the pain-$15.18 million versus a mere $2.07 million for longs. Oh, the imbalances! This confirms the squeeze on shorts, yet the longs remain remarkably hesitant, unable to commit further to this thrilling roller coaster ride. So, in essence, neither the bulls nor the bears are winning. How dreadfully anticlimactic.

Support levels are delicately perched at $106,600 and $104,000, and should they crumble, Bitcoin risks a plunge to the rather unglamorous $96,000 and $92,000. Should the $114,000 resistance finally surrender, a climb to $120,000 could emerge, but don’t hold your breath-it may just be more of the same sideways chop.

XRP: $2 Could Soon Be a Dream, Thanks to the Dreaded Death Cross

As Bitcoin flounders, so does XRP, languishing at $2.41, trapped beneath the $2.62 resistance. And now, the ominous death cross looms large on the daily chart, with the 23-day moving average about to fall beneath the 200-day. How delightful, right?

The levels are, as one might expect, particularly unforgiving. The $2.62 resistance sits like an impenetrable fortress, with a secondary barrier at $2.79. Support, on the other hand, is fragile, teetering at $2.20 and ready to fall into the psychological abyss of $2.00. How utterly charming.

On the weekly chart, the Bollinger Bands offer some consolation, placing the lower boundary at $1.95-making it the new technical floor. A dip to $1.95 wouldn’t even be considered “oversold.” No, it would simply be another miserable chapter for XRP holders. A month ago, $3.58 was within reach, but now it’s all gone. Without a swift reclaim of the $2.62 mid-level, the $2 mark is likely to become a ceiling, and $1.95 will become the new target.

Ripple CTO Raises Alarm on Phishing Epidemic

And now, for some truly delightful news, Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, has issued a rather urgent warning: phishing attacks are now the leading threat in the crypto world, and hardware wallet users are their prime targets. How splendid. The scam tactics include fake firmware updates, spoofed verification requests, and cloned wallet websites that appear to be as legitimate as your grandmother’s recipe book. But enter your credentials, and your crypto-and your dreams of buying a Lamborghini-vanish in an instant. How utterly tragic.

Ripple CTO delivers crucial security alert, and it is not only for XRP holders $xrp

– U.Today (@Utoday_en) October 22, 2025

The simple takeaway is this: while the crypto code remains secure, the humans behind it are not. Phishing exploits trust, not math. As scammers grow more sophisticated, using AI voices, cloned domains, and industrial-grade phishing techniques, we have never needed to be more vigilant. How dreadfully exciting.

Evening Outlook: Chaos Awaits

As evening approaches, the crypto landscape is poised for a bit of chaos. Here’s what traders must watch for, should they choose to engage in this most thrilling of pursuits:

  • Bitcoin (BTC): Support at $106,600 remains critical; the break opens $104,000-$102,000, with deeper risk at $96,000-$92,000. Resistance capped at $114,000, upside only above $118,000.
  • Ethereum (ETH): $3,800 area with $10.89 million liquidations; outflows from ETH ETFs at -$18.8 million weigh on sentiment.
  • XRP (XRP): Stuck at $2.41 and only a move above $2.62 reclaims strength. Otherwise, $1.95-$2.00 becomes the magnet.
  • ETF flows: Bitcoin ETFs showed -$101.3 million outflows yesterday despite earlier inflow momentum, underscoring volatility in institutional positioning.
  • Macro: Asian regulators signal a new stage of crypto oversight; U.S.-China negotiations include financial technology restrictions.
  • Market tone: $652.7 million liquidations in 24 hours, open interest in options now rivaling futures.

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2025-10-23 14:38