When Was the Stock Market Crash: Key Dates and Modern Impacts

The question when was the stock market crash is central to understanding both historical and modern financial volatility. Stock market crashes mark periods of rapid, often unexpected, declines in asset prices, impacting investors worldwide. In this article, you'll learn about the most significant crash dates, the forces driving these events, and how recent developments—such as US tariff policies and tech sector deals—continue to influence market sentiment and crypto assets.

Major Historical Stock Market Crashes and Their Causes

Throughout financial history, several stock market crashes have left lasting marks on the global economy. The most infamous is the 1929 Wall Street Crash, which began on October 24, 1929 (Black Thursday), and intensified on October 29 (Black Tuesday). This event triggered the Great Depression, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing nearly 90% of its value over the following years.

Other notable crashes include:

• 1987 Black Monday (October 19, 1987): The Dow fell over 22% in a single day, largely due to computerized trading and panic selling.
• 2000 Dot-com Bubble Burst: Overvalued tech stocks collapsed, erasing trillions in market value between 2000 and 2002.
• 2008 Global Financial Crisis: Triggered by the collapse of the US housing market and Lehman Brothers, this crash led to a worldwide recession.

Each crash was driven by a combination of speculation, leverage, and external shocks—factors that remain relevant today.

Modern Market Volatility: Tariffs, Tech, and Crypto

In recent years, the question of when was the stock market crash has become more complex, as markets react not only to fundamentals but also to policy announcements and technological shifts. For example, as of October 2025, US President Donald Trump's tariff policies have repeatedly triggered sharp market swings. According to recent reports, a renewed tariff announcement earlier this month led to a market crash that wiped out more than $19 billion in leveraged crypto positions in a single day (Source: Official Market Data, October 2025).

These reactions follow a familiar pattern: initial panic and sell-offs, followed by partial recoveries as policies are clarified or negotiations resume. This cycle mirrors the "pump-and-dump" behavior seen in both traditional stocks and crypto assets, where sentiment often outweighs fundamentals.

Similarly, major tech and AI sector deals have caused rapid, sometimes unsustainable, price surges. For instance, Nvidia's announcement of a $100 billion investment in OpenAI in September 2025 pushed its stock to record highs, adding over $200 billion in market cap within an hour. However, such rallies often cool off as analysts reassess the real impact on company profits.

Speculative Cycles and the Risk of Financial Bubbles

Today's markets are increasingly driven by headline news and speculative capital flows. High-profile deals among a small group of tech and AI giants can create the illusion of endless growth, recycling money within a closed ecosystem. This dynamic inflates valuations without necessarily generating new value, raising concerns about the formation of financial bubbles.

As more investors chase momentum, asset prices can disconnect from economic reality. If underlying deals underperform, the risk of a sudden correction—or even a crash—grows. This pattern is not limited to stocks: the crypto market, too, is vulnerable to such cycles, as seen in the recent $19 billion wipeout following tariff news.

For example, Hyperliquid's HYPE token experienced a sharp rebound after news of a $1 billion market offering, but its price remains volatile and sensitive to market sentiment (Source: TradingView, October 2025).

What Investors Should Watch: Trends, Risks, and Tools

Understanding when was the stock market crash—and why—requires monitoring both macroeconomic trends and market psychology. Key indicators include:

• Major policy announcements (e.g., tariffs, regulations)
• Large-scale tech and AI sector deals
• Market liquidity and leverage levels
• On-chain activity for crypto assets (trading volume, wallet growth)

To navigate these cycles, investors should use reliable platforms like Bitget for trading and Bitget Wallet for secure asset management. Staying informed with up-to-date data and official sources is crucial for making sound decisions.

Further Exploration: Staying Ahead in Volatile Markets

Stock market crashes are not just historical events—they are ongoing risks shaped by global news, policy shifts, and technological innovation. By understanding the causes and patterns behind these crashes, you can better anticipate market moves and protect your assets. Explore more insights and trading tools on Bitget to stay ahead of the curve in both traditional and crypto markets.