Bitcoin and Ether Rebound After Sharp Dip Amid South Korean Stock Sell-Off

Bitcoin and ether prices experienced a volatile session on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, initially falling sharply before recovering as a major sell-off in South Korean stocks rattled Asian markets.

Bitcoin (BTC) briefly fell below $81,000 before rebounding to trade above $83,000, while ether (ETH) dropped to around $2,400 before paring losses. The price swings coincided with a 5.5% plunge in South Korea‘s Kospi index, which was led by tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Market concerns centered on artificial intelligence investment prospects and heightened competition from Chinese chipmakers.

The broader crypto market faced pressure, with several altcoins posting double-digit percentage losses. The sharp decline in Asian equities appeared to trigger a risk-off sentiment that briefly spilled over into digital assets before buyers stepped in.

Investors are also positioning cautiously ahead of key U.S. economic data, including Wednesday’s inflation report and major bank earnings due later on Tuesday, which are expected to influence broader market direction.