The crypto market extended its sell-off as Bitcoin fell below the key $80,000 threshold, triggering another wave of forced liquidations across major assets.
Key takeaways
Bitcoin lost the critical $80,000 level, accelerating downside pressure
Total crypto market capitalization fell by more than $200 billion in one session
Altcoins underperformed Bitcoin as risk appetite evaporated
Liquidations exceeded $2.5 billion, dominated by long positions
Bitcoin dropped to around $77,900, posting a 7.36% daily decline, as broader market sentiment deteriorated rapidly.
The move unfolded amid thin liquidity and elevated leverage, turning what began as a pullback into a full-scale liquidation-driven sell-off.
Total crypto market cap sheds over $200 billion
The downturn was not limited to Bitcoin. Total crypto market capitalization fell to approximately $2.62 trillion, down 7.48% on the day, translating to more than $200 billion erased in a single session. The broad-based nature of the decline confirms that capital exited risk across the entire digital asset complex rather than rotating between sectors.
Market breadth deteriorated sharply, with the majority of large-cap and mid-cap tokens trading deep in the red, while sentiment indicators dropped into fear territory.
Bitcoin technicals weaken, but capitulation not confirmed
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin’s daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) has slipped to around 41, approaching oversold conditions but not yet signaling capitulation. Historically, deeper market flushes tend to coincide with RSI readings closer to the low-30s, suggesting downside risk may still exist if selling pressure persists.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains firmly negative, with bearish momentum accelerating. Volume expanded on the breakdown, reinforcing that the move is being driven by active deleveraging rather than passive selling.
Ethereum and altcoins underperform Bitcoin
Altcoins experienced even steeper losses as risk appetite evaporated.
Ethereum fell to around $2,380, down nearly 13% in twenty-four hours and close to 20% over the past week. Ethereum continues to absorb a disproportionate share of leverage, making it especially vulnerable during liquidation events.
Solana slid to roughly $101, marking a 13.57% daily decline and more than 20% on the week, as high-beta exposure was aggressively unwound.
XRP traded near $1.57, down 10.81% on the day and nearly 18% over seven days, reflecting weaker liquidity and thinner order books relative to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The underperformance of altcoins relative to Bitcoin highlights a classic risk-off rotation, where capital retreats toward the most liquid assets during stress.
Liquidations surge above $2.5 billion
Derivatives markets confirm that the sell-off is being driven primarily by forced liquidations, not discretionary exits. Over the past twenty-four hours, total liquidations exceeded $2.53 billion, with the overwhelming majority coming from long positions.
24h long liquidations: ~$2.41 billion
24h short liquidations: ~$127.97 million
Bitcoin and Ethereum accounted for the largest shares, with roughly $777 million and $1.13 billion in liquidations respectively. Solana followed with approximately $192 million, underscoring how leveraged exposure in high-volatility assets amplifies downside moves.
The imbalance between long and short liquidations reinforces that this is a leverage flush, not a coordinated bearish bet.
Key levels to watch across majors
Bitcoin:
Support: $76,000–$77,000
Breakdown risk: $72,000–$74,000
Resistance: $82,000–$85,000
Ethereum:
Support: $2,200–$2,250
Resistance: $2,550–$2,650
Solana:
Support: $95–$100
Resistance: $115–$120
Failure to stabilize at these levels would likely invite another round of liquidation pressure.
What to expect next
In the near term, volatility is likely to remain elevated. With leverage still being flushed and sentiment deeply negative, sharp intraday swings in both directions should be expected. Relief rallies are possible, especially if liquidation pressure subsides, but they may struggle to sustain unless Bitcoin reclaims the $80,000-$82,000 range.
Despite the severity of the move, there are no clear signs of systemic stress at this stage. On-chain activity remains functional, and the broader market structure above long-term macro support is still intact. For now, this episode appears to be a violent reset, not a breakdown of the broader crypto thesis.
The next sessions will be critical in determining whether the market forms a base – or whether another leg of forced deleveraging lies ahead.
