Bitcoin Price Plummets, $900 Million in Bets Liquidated

Bitcoin (BTC) price dip triggers $900M liquidation in crypto bets amid market turmoil, with altcoins tumbling up to 15%.
By Bhushan Akolkar
Reasons Why Bitcoin Price Crash Could Continue

Highlights

  • Bitcoin's price fell over 2%, hitting $67,593, leading to a 7.8% downturn in the wider cryptocurrency market.
  • Approximately $925 million worth of bullish cryptocurrency bets were liquidated .
  • Implied volatility for Bitcoin options surged, indicating reduced confidence among market participants.

The price of Bitcoin (BTC) plummeted by over 2%, reaching $67,593, which contributed to a significant 7.8% downturn in the wider cryptocurrency market. The decline was even more pronounced among altcoins, with the top ten experiencing corrections ranging from 8% to 15%.

$900 Million Liquidated Amid Bitcoin Price Crash

According to Coinglass data, approximately $925 million worth of bullish cryptocurrency bets were liquidated within the last 24 hours, marking the most significant drop of its kind in the past month. The financial landscape experienced turbulence on Friday due to an escalation in geopolitical tensions, prompting investors to seek refuge in traditional safe-haven assets like bonds and the dollar.

However, this correction has been across the asset classes as the S&P500 and even the gold price retrace along with crypto. This suggests that investors are weighing CPI and inflation concerns as well with the chances of the Fed cutting the interest rates going considerably down.

Derivative Traders Get Jittery

A key gauge closely monitored in the options market is starting to indicate growing apprehension among speculators ahead of a significant Bitcoin code adjustment, historically bullish for the cryptocurrency.

According to a report by Kaiko Research, implied volatility for Bitcoin options surged last weekend, reversing the previous week’s downward trend. This uptick typically signals reduced confidence among market participants regarding price direction, explained Adam McCarthy, a research analyst at Kaiko. Rising implied volatility often prompts traders to pay more to hedge existing positions or to speculate on potential price movements, whether upward or downward.

Bitcoin’s volatility intensified on Friday, experiencing swings exceeding 8% amidst turmoil in global financial markets triggered by heightened geopolitical risks.

Kaiko noted a substantial increase in implied volatility for contracts expiring in the next two weeks, soaring from 59% to 71% within just two days. This surge implies a growing anticipation of near-term volatility among investors.

Courtesy: Kaiko

McCarthy added: “In this case it’s likely more bearish as traders are uncertain, but are willing to pay more for options to get protection against price swings. They’re possibly paying high premiums to buy downward protection.”

Apart from Bitcoin, the correction in the altcoin market is even deeper. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency following Bitcoin, experienced a significant downturn, plunging by as much as 12% at its lowest point, marking the most substantial intraday decline since November 2022. Solana and Dogecoin followed suit, with declines of approximately 12% and 13%, respectively. Similarly, Cardano and Polkadot witnessed substantial declines, each tumbling around 15%.

Advertisement
Bhushan Akolkar
Bhushan is a seasoned crypto writer with over eight years of experience spanning more than 10,000 contributions across multiple platforms like CoinGape, CoinSpeaker, Bitcoinist, Crypto News Flash, and others. Being a Fintech enthusiast, he loves reporting across Crypto, Blockchain, DeFi, Global Macros with a keen understanding in financial markets. 

He is committed to continuous learning and stays motivated by sharing the knowledge he acquires. In his free time, Bhushan enjoys reading thriller fiction novels and occasionally explores his culinary skills. Bhushan has a bachelors degree in electronics engineering, however, his interest in finance and economics drives him to crypto and blockchain.
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.