Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) fell 3.29% to $81,263.73, Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) fell 3.64% to $2,381.38, and Solana (CRYPTO:SOL) fell 3.27% to $103.31. As of early evening on Oct. 22, all three were under pressure as risk appetite faded across markets.
What's driving crypto markets
Macro weakness was the main backdrop, with oil prices holding above $111 a barrel and Nasdaq futures softening as traders trimmed risk exposure; Bitcoin briefly slipped below $81,000, according to finance.yahoo.com and coindesk.com. Meanwhile, Solana's Alpenglow upgrade went live today, but that network milestone did not offset the broader sell-off, while Ethereum developers are still outlining a draft settlement change that could cut finality time to about four minutes, a potentially important payments update, according to coindesk.com and coindesk.com.
Crypto ETF snapshot
Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs traded lower alongside the coins, with iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) down 3.72%, Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (NYSEMKT:FBTC) down 3.72%, and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (NASDAQ: ETHA) down 4.52%.
What this means for investors
The crypto market remains in a state of flux. Earlier this week, Bitcoin ETF inflows showed strength totaling about $1.07 billion over three sessions and signaling some investor demand. However, today's sell-off could put that momentum to the test, making ETF flows an important indicator to watch as prices weaken.
Those inflows offered some hope that crypto had found its footing after several weeks of disappointing price action, particularly among altcoins. However, Bitcoin's market dominance, already at its highest level since May, could climb further as altcoins bear the brunt of the latest decline. That divergence is worth watching if risk aversion persists.
Ethereum traded above $2,500 before retreating, putting the $2,300 level in focus as a key near-term test for buyers.
Meanwhile, Solana's Alpenglow upgrade remains a meaningful long-term development, but the more immediate concern is whether it can hold the $100 level amid continued market volatility.
Top 10 crypto performance
| # | Name | Price | 24h | 7d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitcoin (BTC) | $81,263.73 | -3.3% | -1.1% |
| 2 | Ethereum (ETH) | $2,381.38 | -3.6% | -2.7% |
| 3 | Tether (USDT) | $0.9989 | -0.1% | -0.0% |
| 4 | BNB (BNB) | $730.81 | -2.5% | -0.3% |
| 5 | XRP (XRP) | $1.30 | -6.4% | -2.7% |
| 6 | USDC (USDC) | $0.9995 | -0.0% | -0.0% |
| 7 | Solana (SOL) | $103.31 | -3.3% | -2.2% |
| 8 | TRON (TRX) | $0.3281 | -1.0% | -1.2% |
| 9 | Figure Heloc (FIGR_HELOC) | $1.04 | +2.6% | +1.3% |
| 10 | Zcash (ZEC) | $1,214.28 | -10.1% | -1.5% |
Ranked by market cap. Price and 24-hour change for BTC, ETH and SOL: FMP, the same figures used in the text above. All other figures: CoinGecko, as of October 22, 2026 20:16 UTC.
RJ Fulton has positions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and iShares Bitcoin Trust. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and iShares Bitcoin Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.