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Bitcoin and Ethereum have fallen toward critical support levels, with DeFi tokens experiencing the steepest declines despite some exceptions like XLM and LIT. The broader crypto market is under pressure as investors increasingly seek downside protection through options trading, signaling heightened risk-off sentiment. This trend reflects growing uncertainty about the market's near-term direction and potential for further volatility.

The decline in major cryptocurrencies has triggered a flight to safety, with options traders paying a premium for put contracts to hedge against further losses. This behavior is typical during periods of market stress and may amplify price swings as hedging activity increases. For traders, the focus is now on key support levels for Bitcoin and Ethereum, with a breakdown below these thresholds potentially leading to accelerated selling.

The situation highlights the fragility of the current crypto market environment, where macroeconomic factors and regulatory developments continue to weigh on investor confidence. Traders should monitor the performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum against their support levels, as well as the volume and open interest in options markets, to gauge the likelihood of a sustained rebound or further deterioration.