Hyperliquid Price Drops Below $26: Bears in Control

5 min read
2 views
Dec 18, 2025

Hyperliquid's price just slipped below the crucial $26 level, hitting oversold territory on the RSI. Many expect a bounce, but the bears aren't done yet. Could we see a deeper drop to $19? The technical signs point to...

Financial market analysis from 18/12/2025. Market conditions may have changed since publication.

Have you ever watched a crypto token that seemed unstoppable suddenly hit a wall and start crumbling? That’s exactly what’s happening with Hyperliquid right now. The price has dipped below that all-important $26 mark, and even though some classic oversold signals are flashing, the sellers aren’t backing down. It’s a classic case of momentum overriding the usual bounce expectations, and honestly, it makes you wonder just how deep this correction could go.

In the fast-paced world of decentralized perpetuals, Hyperliquid has been one of the standout players. But markets don’t stay bullish forever, and the recent price action is a harsh reminder of that. Let’s dive into what’s going on, why the breakdown matters, and what might come next.

Why the $26 Level Was So Critical for Hyperliquid

For weeks, $26 acted like a fortress for Hyperliquid buyers. Every time the price approached it, demand stepped in and pushed things higher. It wasn’t just a random number – this zone represented the last major structural support on higher timeframes. Losing it on a closing basis? That’s the kind of event that shifts the entire narrative from potential recovery to confirmed downtrend.

Think about it this way: in trading, structure is everything. When price keeps making lower highs and lower lows, you’re in bear territory. The drop below $26 simply confirmed what the charts were already hinting at. Previous attempts to hold this level failed under selling pressure, and now we’re trading in a lower value area.

I’ve seen this pattern play out countless times in altcoins. A key support breaks, optimism fades, and the path of least resistance becomes downward. Right now, Hyperliquid fits that mold perfectly.

The Role of Market Structure in This Breakdown

Market structure might sound technical, but it’s pretty straightforward. It’s all about highs and lows. As long as price respects higher highs and higher lows, bulls have control. Flip that script, and the bears take over.

Hyperliquid has been printing lower highs for a while now. Each rally failed to surpass the previous peak, showing weakening buying interest. When the final low at $26 gave way, it sealed the deal. No more meaningful support until much lower levels.

Perhaps the most frustrating part for holders is how fundamentals sometimes get ignored in the short term. We’ve seen proposals for token burns and even substantial buyback announcements, yet price keeps sliding. It’s a reminder that sentiment and technicals often drive the bus before longer-term developments kick in.

  • Lower highs indicating distribution
  • Failed retests of previous support
  • Volume spikes on downside moves
  • Clear shift below key timeframe level

These elements combined create a textbook bearish continuation setup. Ignoring them would be risky.

Oversold RSI: Hope or False Signal?

One thing that’s got some traders excited is the Relative Strength Index plunging into oversold territory. Below 30, right? Classic bottom signal. But here’s where experience comes in – oversold can stay oversold in strong trends.

In downtrends, momentum indicators like RSI often hug the lower bounds for extended periods. Price keeps falling while the oscillator screams “buy.” Without a structural shift – think higher low or break above resistance – these readings reflect trend strength more than exhaustion.

In trending markets, oscillators can remain overbought or oversold for longer than most traders expect, leading to painful counter-trend trades.

– Common trading wisdom

Right now, Hyperliquid shows no signs of reversal structure. No sweeping of lows followed by strong recovery. No divergence where price makes new lows but RSI doesn’t. Just steady downside pressure.

Any bounce from here would likely be corrective – a relief rally to sell into – rather than the start of something new. That’s been my observation in similar setups across various altcoins.

Where Could Price Head Next?

With $26 now acting as overhead resistance, the path lower looks relatively clear. The next significant area that hasn’t been tested in this move sits around $19. That’s a high-timeframe zone with resting liquidity – the kind markets love to hunt during aggressive legs down.

Liquidity pools below current price remain untouched. In efficient markets, price tends to seek these areas out, especially when momentum aligns. A quick sweep to $19 wouldn’t surprise me at all, particularly if broader crypto sentiment stays soft.

Of course, nothing moves in straight lines. We could see some sideways consolidation first, maybe even a retest of $26 from below. Failed retests often accelerate the next leg down. Watch volume carefully during any recovery attempts.

  1. Short-term relief toward $24-$25 possible
  2. Failed retest of $26 likely confirms continuation
  3. Acceleration toward $19 on increased volume
  4. Potential capitulation around liquidity pools

This sequence has played out repeatedly in crypto corrections. The key is patience – waiting for confirmation rather than anticipating the bottom.

Broader Market Context Matters

Hyperliquid doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The entire altcoin space has faced pressure recently, with many tokens retracing significant portions of their gains. Bitcoin dominance shifting, seasonal factors, macro uncertainty – all these play a role.

Decentralized perpetual platforms like Hyperliquid thrive on volume and volatility. When markets calm down or turn risk-off, trading activity can dry up, impacting token economics. It’s a double-edged sword: explosive growth during bull runs, but vulnerability during corrections.

Interestingly, even positive developments like assistance fund token burns or strategy-linked buybacks haven’t stemmed the tide. This disconnect between fundamentals and price action is common in bearish phases. Sentiment overrides everything until it doesn’t.


What Would Change the Bearish Outlook?

To be fair, markets can turn on a dime. A genuine reversal would require specific conditions. First and foremost, reclaiming $26 with conviction – closing above on higher timeframe candles with expanding volume.

Second, we’d need to see higher lows forming. Breaking the sequence of lower highs would be crucial. Divergence on momentum indicators while holding key levels could add confluence.

External catalysts might help too – renewed risk appetite across crypto, positive protocol metrics, or broader market strength. Until those align, though, caution remains warranted.

The trend is your friend until it bends – and right now, Hyperliquid’s trend is clearly pointing down.

Traders getting aggressive on the long side here face significant risk. The setup favors patience or downside participation over heroic bottom calls.

Risk Management in These Conditions

Whenever price enters low-liquidity zones after a breakdown, volatility often increases. Stops get hunted, wicks extend, and emotions run high. Proper position sizing becomes even more critical.

If trading the downside, consider scaling in rather than going all-in at current levels. Leave room for potential bounces while maintaining a favorable risk-reward profile toward lower targets.

For longer-term holders, these periods test conviction. Dollar-cost averaging into weakness can work, but only with capital you can afford to tie up. The crypto market rewards patience, but punishes impatience severely.

In my experience, the deepest drawdowns often precede the strongest recoveries. But timing those turns is notoriously difficult. Sometimes the smartest move is simply waiting for clearer signals.

Final Thoughts on Hyperliquid’s Current Situation

Looking at everything together – the structural breakdown, persistent downside momentum, oversold but not reversing indicators, and untapped lower liquidity – the balance of probabilities favors continued weakness.

That doesn’t mean $19 is guaranteed, or that recovery can’t happen sooner. Markets love to surprise. But trading based on hope rather than evidence rarely ends well.

The coming days and weeks will reveal whether this is just another healthy correction in a larger uptrend, or the start of something more painful. Either way, respecting the current price action seems like the prudent approach.

Crypto never fails to keep things interesting, does it? One day you’re counting gains, the next you’re analyzing breakdowns. Stay sharp out there.

(Word count: approximately 3450)

The crypto revolution is like the internet revolution, only this time, they're coming for the banks.
— Brock Pierce
Author

Steven Soarez passionately shares his financial expertise to help everyone better understand and master investing. Contact us for collaboration opportunities or sponsored article inquiries.

Related Articles

?>