Price overall in crypto has been rising a too fast as of late. Too many newbies who don't understand the tech or the cycles ("weak hands") bought in, and so the correction at the peak is turning into a bubble pop for the whole market. Not the end of crypto or bitcoin by any means, but not surprising. Weak hands are in it to make a quick buck, and are far to skittish to handle the crypto markets.
Once the market finds a bottom, I expect experiences Bitcoin trades to buy back in at a steep discount.
Nervousness could also be triggered or affected by the approaching August 1 UASF, and again, lack of understanding of markets magnifies this effect. Going to take while to settle down after that date, no matter which way it goes.
Definitely agree on the point that there's a lot of newbies throwing money on Bitcoin without knowing anything. My neighbours cousins friends grandma just invested in Bitcoin due to what I said, does not seem to make a lot of sense but it is what it is.
As for August 1.. We are definitely in for some interesting times ahead of that. I believe we will go slowly up, but it could, as you say, go either way and the brakes could come off without a brick wall in sight.
Time will tell, as with all things.