Recent crypto losses have triggered widespread concern among investors. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major altcoins posted notable declines, reversing recent gains. This article explains the causes behind the downturn, highlights the biggest losers, and offers insights into what traders should watch next. Readers will gain a clear understanding of market dynamics, ETF flows, and macroeconomic pressures shaping the current correction.
📉 What Are the Main Crypto Losses in August 2025?
The crypto market experienced a sharp correction this week, with most top tokens shedding value. Here’s a snapshot of the biggest declines:
| Token | Price (Aug 20) | Weekly Change | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $113,562 | -8% | $2.26 trillion |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $4,166 | -5.2% | $503 billion |
| XRP | $2.89 | -3.77% | $172.1 billion |
| Cardano (ADA) | $0.8526 | -6.3% | $29.4 billion |
| Dogecoin (DOGE) | $0.2127 | -2.21% | $30.1 billion |
Only a few tokens, such as Solana (+0.12%) and TRON (+0.02%), showed resilience.
Why Did Bitcoin Drop Below $114K?
Bitcoin fell from its recent high of $124,000 due to profit-taking and macroeconomic uncertainty. Traders are consolidating positions ahead of the Jackson Hole Symposium, where Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to signal future interest rate policy. The drop also coincides with reduced ETF inflows and a cooling of institutional enthusiasm.
📊 What Factors Are Driving the Market Down?
1. Jackson Hole Symposium Uncertainty
Investors are closely watching Powell’s speech at the annual Jackson Hole meeting. Expectations for a September rate cut have faded, with CME FedWatch showing only a 15% probability—down from 98% last week. This shift has dampened risk appetite across crypto markets, especially among institutional investors who had recently re-entered the space.
2. ETF Volatility and Outflows
Ethereum ETFs saw a $196.6 million outflow on Monday, reversing a record-breaking $2.8 billion inflow the previous week. Bitcoin ETFs also turned negative, contributing to bearish sentiment. According to CoinDesk, ETF volatility is now a leading indicator of short-term price action, especially for ETH, which remains more sensitive to institutional flows than BTC.
3. Regulatory Jitters
Delays in SEC approval for altcoin ETFs and lack of clarity around stablecoin legislation have added to market anxiety. The GENIUS Act, which aims to establish clearer guidelines for digital asset classification, remains stalled in committee. Meanwhile, enforcement actions against several DeFi platforms have raised concerns about compliance risks.
4. Technical Resistance and Liquidations
Bitcoin faced strong resistance at $124,000, triggering automated sell orders and leveraged position liquidations. According to DeFiLlama, over $1.2 billion in long positions were liquidated across major exchanges in the past 72 hours. This mechanical pressure accelerated the downturn and spread across altcoins.
🔐 Are Security Breaches Contributing to Losses?
Yes, recent scams have highlighted vulnerabilities in crypto infrastructure:
- An Ethereum developer lost funds to an AI-powered wallet drainer disguised as a browser extension.
- The plugin accessed
.envfiles and transmitted private keys to attackers. - Although losses were limited due to strict wallet segregation, the incident underscores growing threats from malicious extensions.
Other Notable Scams
- GreedyBear exploited over 150 fake add-ons, stealing $1 million using AI-generated malware.
- Chainalysis reports $2.17 billion in total crypto hacks in 2025, with smart contract flaws and access control breaches as leading causes.
📉 Which Altcoins Are Losing the Most Value?
According to and Binance data, the following altcoins posted the steepest 24-hour declines:
- Gari Network (GARI): -23.15%
- Useless Coin (USELESS): -17.98%
- League of Kingdoms Arena (LOKA): -10.03%
- Livepeer (LPT): -9.90%
- Lybra Finance (LBR): -8.55%
These tokens are typically more volatile and sensitive to market sentiment shifts. Many of them are tied to gaming, social, or experimental DeFi ecosystems, which tend to suffer disproportionately during broader market corrections.

Altcoin Liquidity Risks
Low liquidity and thin order books amplify price swings. For example, GARI’s 23% drop was triggered by a single whale offloading $1.2 million in tokens. Projects with limited exchange listings or fragmented liquidity pools are especially vulnerable.
🧠 Summary
Crypto losses in August 2025 stem from macroeconomic uncertainty, ETF outflows, and regulatory delays. Bitcoin and Ethereum led the decline, while altcoins faced sharper corrections. Security breaches and AI-powered scams added pressure. Investors are watching the Jackson Hole Symposium for clues on future monetary policy.
❓ FAQ Section
Why is the crypto market down today? The market is reacting to reduced expectations for a Fed rate cut, ETF outflows, and regulatory uncertainty.
Which cryptocurrencies lost the most this week? Bitcoin (-8%), Ethereum (-5.2%), Cardano (-6.3%), and XRP (-3.77%) were among the biggest losers.
Are crypto ETFs affecting prices? Yes. Ethereum ETFs saw $196.6 million in outflows, reversing bullish momentum.
Is this a long-term trend or short-term correction? Most analysts view it as a short-term correction driven by macro events. Long-term fundamentals remain intact.
What should investors watch next? Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole, ETF flows, and regulatory updates will shape near-term market direction.
Are security threats increasing? Yes. AI-powered scams and wallet drainers are becoming more sophisticated.
Which altcoins are most affected? Smaller tokens like GARI, USELESS, and LOKA posted double-digit losses.
Is Bitcoin still a safe haven? Bitcoin remains dominant but is not immune to macroeconomic pressures and investor sentiment shifts.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin dropped 8% to $113,562 amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
- Ethereum ETFs saw $196.6 million in outflows, reversing bullish momentum.
- Altcoins like Cardano and XRP posted steep losses.
- AI-powered scams are targeting developers and wallets.
- Investors are watching Jackson Hole for Fed policy signals.


