In the wild, unpredictable world of cryptocurrency trading, few patterns strike fear into the hearts of investors like the Death Cross.
It’s a term that sounds like it belongs in a gothic novel, but in reality, Death Cross is a technical signal that can herald steep declines—or, occasionally, unexpected opportunities. As Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a host of altcoins continue to dance through volatile cycles in 2025, understanding this bearish indicator is more crucial than ever. What does it mean when the charts flash this grim warning? How has it played out in recent crypto history? And can savvy traders turn it into a tool for success? Let’s dive into the shadows of the Death Cross and illuminate its secrets.
What Is a Death Cross?
Picture this: two lines on a chart, one tracking the average price of a cryptocurrency over the past 50 days, the other over 200 days. When the shorter line—the 50-day moving average—slips below the longer 200-day moving average, a Death Cross is born.
It’s a visual cue that short-term momentum has faltered against the broader trend, often signaling that a bearish phase could be on the horizon.
The mechanics are simple but powerful. Moving averages smooth out price noise, offering a clearer view of a coin’s direction. The 50-day line reacts quickly to recent shifts, while the 200-day line anchors the long-term trajectory.
When these lines cross downward, it’s like a market weather report forecasting stormy skies ahead. Historically tied to stock markets, the Death Cross has found a dramatic home in crypto, where volatility amplifies its impact. Yet, it’s not infallible—sometimes it’s a false alarm, and prices rebound despite the ominous sign.
That’s why experts urge traders to pair it with tools like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) or MACD for a fuller picture.
Examples of a Death Cross in Crypto History
The Death Cross has etched its ominous signature across the crypto market, striking major coins and altcoins alike in recent years. Below are 10 detailed examples, packed with specific dates, price data, and outcomes, illustrating how this pattern has shaped price trajectories—and why its impact isn’t always as deadly as its name suggests.
Bitcoin (BTC), 2021
On June 19, 2021, Bitcoin’s 50-day moving average crossed below its 200-day moving average, forming a Death Cross at a price of roughly $31,700. This followed a peak of $64,863 in April, driven by a euphoric bull run. The cross coincided with China’s crackdown on crypto mining and trading, sending shockwaves through the market.
By July 20, Bitcoin had slumped to $29,301—a 7.5% drop post-cross—before stabilizing. Trading volume spiked to $36 billion daily around the event, reflecting panic selling. Yet, the gloom didn’t last forever; by November, BTC soared to $68,789, proving the Death Cross was more a bump than a burial.
Ethereum (ETH), 2021
Ethereum faced its own Death Cross on September 10, 2021, with the 50-day MA dipping below the 200-day MA at approximately $3,200. Earlier in May, ETH had hit $4,356, buoyed by DeFi and NFT mania. The cross came amid a broader market correction, with prices falling to $2,850 by September 21—a 10.9% decline in less than two weeks.
Daily trading volume hovered around $20 billion, showing heightened activity. Interestingly, Ethereum rebounded to $4,027 by October 29, suggesting the Death Cross marked a temporary dip rather than a prolonged bear market.
Cardano (ADA), 2024
Cardano’s first Death Cross of 2024 hit on May 15, when the 50-day MA crossed below the 200-day MA at $0.44. ADA had peaked at $0.80 in March, riding optimism around network upgrades. The cross reflected a cooling market, with prices dipping to $0.39 by May 30—a 11.4% drop. Trading volume averaged $300 million daily, modest but indicative of fading momentum.
By June, ADA stabilized around $0.42, hinting that the bearish signal didn’t trigger a catastrophic fall, though it underscored persistent downward pressure.
Solana (SOL), 2022 & 2023
Solana’s Death Cross saga spans two notable events. On February 7, 2022, the 50-day MA crossed below the 200-day MA at $96, after SOL lost 50% in January from a $202 high in November 2021. Prices slid to $81 by February 22—a 15.6% drop—amid network outages and a $40 billion market cap hit.
Then, on August 15, 2023, another cross formed at $24, following a peak of $32 in July. SOL dipped to $21 by August 31—a 12.5% decline—with trading volume at $500 million daily. Both instances highlighted bearish phases, though 2023’s dip was milder, reflecting Solana’s maturing resilience.
Litecoin (LTC), 2021
Litecoin encountered a Death Cross on July 20, 2021, with the 50-day MA falling below the 200-day MA at $124. After hitting $295 in May during a altcoin surge, LTC faced a brutal correction. Post-cross, prices dropped to $104 by August 5—a 16.1% decline—mirroring Bitcoin’s struggles and regulatory noise.
Trading volume peaked at $3 billion daily, signaling heavy selling. Litecoin later recovered to $188 by November, showing the Death Cross was a short-term setback rather than a knockout blow.
Ripple (XRP), 2021 & 2023
XRP’s Death Crosses tell a tale of legal and market woes. On July 15, 2021, the 50-day MA crossed below the 200-day MA at $0.62, down from a $1.96 peak in April.
Amid the SEC lawsuit, prices fell to $0.51 by July 31—a 17.7% drop—with $2 billion in daily volume. Fast forward to October 10, 2023, when another cross hit at $0.49, after a $0.73 high in July. XRP slid to $0.43 by October 25—a 12.2% decline—as legal uncertainty lingered.
Both events underscored XRP’s vulnerability, though partial recoveries followed each dip.
Dogecoin (DOGE), 2025
Early 2025 brought Dogecoin a Death Cross on February 10, with the 50-day MA crossing below the 200-day MA at $0.15. DOGE had rallied to $0.22 in December 2024, fueled by Elon Musk’s tweets.
Post-cross, prices dipped to $0.13 by February 20—a 13.3% drop—with $1.2 billion in daily volume reflecting meme-coin volatility. As of late February 2025, DOGE hovers around $0.14, suggesting the bearish signal might extend, though Musk’s influence could spark a sudden reversal.
Tron (TRX), 2021-2022
Tron’s Death Crosses struck twice. On September 8, 2021, the 50-day MA crossed below the 200-day MA at $0.09, down from $0.17 in April. Prices fell to $0.07 by September 25—a 22.2% drop—with $1.5 billion in daily volume. Then, on January 15, 2022, another cross hit at $0.06, after a $0.10 peak in November 2021.
TRX dropped to $0.04 by February 1—a 33.3% plunge—amid a $2 billion volume spike. Both signaled steep declines, with 2022’s drop tied to broader market capitulation.
Stellar Lumens (XLM), 2021-2022
Stellar faced a Death Cross on August 5, 2021, at $0.27, down from $0.70 in May. The 50-day MA crossed below the 200-day MA, and prices sank to $0.23 by August 20—a 14.8% decline—with $600 million in daily volume. Another cross hit on July 19, 2022, at $0.11, after a $0.18 high in April.
XLM fell to $0.09 by August 5—a 18.2% drop—as volume averaged $200 million. These events mirrored altcoin struggles, with limited recovery post-cross.
EOS, Varying Years
EOS’s Death Cross history is less precisely dated but impactful. One notable instance occurred around mid-2021, with the 50-day MA crossing below the 200-day MA at $4.50, down from $8.65 in April.
Prices dropped to $3.70 by August—a 17.8% decline—with $1 billion in daily volume. Another cross in 2022, around $1.20 after a $2.50 peak, saw EOS fall to $1.00—a 16.7% drop. These shifts highlighted EOS’s fading momentum, though exact dates vary across analyses.
These examples reveal the Death Cross’s broad reach and variable outcomes—often a precursor to declines, but not always a death sentence. Market context, from regulations to sentiment, plays a massive role in what follows.
How to Use the Death Cross for Trading Success
So, how can a crypto trader harness this grim signal? It’s less about panicking and more about strategizing.
Here’s how to wield the Death Cross effectively:
- Spotting Reversals: When the cross appears, it’s a cue to consider selling or shorting, anticipating a bearish shift. Bitcoin’s 2021 plunge offered such a window.
- Confirming Trends: It validates weakening momentum, helping traders decide when to cut exposure—like with Ethereum in 2021.
- Setting Stop-Losses: Place stop-loss orders above the 200-day MA to cap losses if prices fall, a tactic useful during Solana’s 2022 cross.
- Mixing Indicators: Pair it with RSI or MACD to filter out false signals, as seen with Cardano’s 2024 cross where confirmation was key.
- Risk Management: Scale down positions or hedge bets during a Death Cross to weather potential storms—Dogecoin traders might’ve leaned on this in 2025.
- Long-Term View: For hodlers, it’s not always a sell signal. Litecoin’s 2021 dip didn’t deter those betting on its future.
The trick is balance—using the Death Cross as one piece of a larger puzzle, not a standalone prophecy. In crypto’s fast-moving arena, adaptability is king.
Conclusion
The Death Cross may sound like a harbinger of doom, but it’s really just a tool—one that traders can master with the right approach.
From Bitcoin’s dramatic dips to Dogecoin’s recent brush in 2025, this pattern has proven its relevance across the crypto spectrum. Yet, its power lies not in blind reliance but in strategic use: spotting trends, managing risk, and pairing it with other signals.
In a market where fortunes flip overnight, understanding the Death Cross offers a rare edge—turning a shadowy warning into a beacon for navigating crypto’s wild ride. Whether you’re a day trader or a long-term believer, it’s a reminder that even in chaos, knowledge is profit.