dump
A rapid, sharp decline in price caused by large-scale selling pressure, resulting in a dip or more sustained downturn.
A dump describes a sharp, rapid drop in price driven by concentrated selling. It can result from many causes: large holders liquidating positions, negative news, coordinated selling, or cascading stop-loss orders. The speed of a dump distinguishes it from a gradual decline. It often produces a dip that some buyers consider an entry point, though whether the price recovers or continues lower is not predictable.
The term is also used in the phrase "pump and dump," which describes a pattern in which a price is artificially inflated through coordinated buying or promotion before insiders sell their holdings, leaving later buyers at a loss. This pattern is a recognized form of market manipulation and is illegal in regulated financial markets. Bitcoin markets operate globally across venues with varying regulatory oversight, so participants should be aware that such patterns can occur.