Crypto markets liquidated more than $600 million in leveraged positions during the past hour, marking a sharp deleveraging event across major exchanges. Bitcoin dropped 1 percent to $77,426, while Ethereum fell 2.5 percent to $2,128.
Coinglass data shows $480 million of total liquidations targeted long positions betting on continued price increases. The forced selling hit Binance, Bybit and OKX, triggering stop losses that wiped out more than 200,000 individual trader positions across Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoin pairs.
The selloff pushed the Crypto Fear & Greed Index from neutral 50 to fearful 28. Bitcoin futures open interest declined by more than $2.5 billion in the hour following the initial drop, flushing speculative leverage from the system as retail accounts abandoned high-risk positions.
This retail liquidation wave contrasts with institutional spot demand. BlackRock's IBIT recorded $120 million in net inflows this week, while Fidelity's FBTC added $75 million, showing institutions continue accumulating Bitcoin at current levels.
Traders now monitor funding rates and order book depth for stability signs before rebuilding positions. Fresh capital inflows from retail and institutional sources will be required to absorb remaining sell pressure and drive prices higher.