A heavy dump in cryptocurrency prices can be caused by several factors, including:

1. Market Sentiment Shifts: Negative news, regulatory announcements, or overall market sentiment turning bearish can lead to a sell-off.

2. Large Sell Orders: When large holders (whales) decide to sell off their holdings, it can trigger a cascade of sell orders, driving prices down.

3. Regulatory Changes: Government regulations impacting the cryptocurrency market can cause uncertainty and lead to sell-offs.

4. Market Manipulation: Manipulative practices such as pump and dump schemes, where prices are artificially inflated and then rapidly sold off, can cause sudden drops.

5. Technical Factors: Issues with exchanges, trading platforms, or blockchain networks can disrupt trading and cause panic selling.

6. Macro-Economic Events: Economic events such as inflation concerns, interest rate changes, or global economic instability can impact investor confidence in cryptocurrencies.

These factors, alone or in combination, can result in significant price drops in the cryptocurrency market.