Bitcoin slips below the $90,000 level as AI profitability concerns dampen risk appetite
A visual representation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies (illustration from September 10, 2025) accompanies this report.
But here’s where it gets controversial: the latest price action suggests renewed market jitters driven by doubts about AI-driven profits and how soon they’ll translate into real gains for tech stocks and crypto alike.
Summary
- Bitcoin briefly drops under the $90,000 threshold
- Ether declines more than 4%
- Fears over AI profit prospects weigh on risk sentiment
SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (Reuters) – The cryptocurrency market pulled back on Thursday, with bitcoin dipping back below the $90,000 mark as fresh concerns about artificial intelligence profitability weighed on technology equities and broader risk appetite.
Risk sentiment soured after Oracle’s (ORCL.N) quarterly outlook disappointed expectations, with executives signaling higher spending ahead. This suggests AI infrastructure investments may not translate into quicker profits, tempering enthusiasm among investors.
Bitcoin stood at about $90,056.24, down 2.5%, while ether fell roughly 4.3% to $3,196.62, wiping out the gains of the prior two sessions and continuing a softness that began during the U.S. trading day after the Federal Reserve’s rate cut news.
Stock markets in Asia declined, with futures pointing to weaker openings in Europe and the U.S.
“Last night, risk assets were broadly benefiting, yet crypto didn’t participate,” commented Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG in Sydney. “The crypto space needs clearer proof that the October 10 selloff washed out completely, and right now that confidence isn’t there.”
Standard Chartered reduced its forecast for Bitcoin’s 2025 end price, saying the cryptocurrency may not reach $200,000 after all and lowering the expectation to around $100,000.
“Purchasing by Bitcoin-focused treasury or corporate buyers appears to have diminished,” said Geoff Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered. “Consequently, future Bitcoin price gains could rely primarily on ETF-driven demand.”
Reporting by Gregor Stuart Hunter; Editing by Jamie Freed
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