Crypto Liquidations Surge Due to Federal Reserve Decisions

Over $1.7 billion in crypto positions were liquidated recently, with a staggering $303.8 million wiped in a four-hour span due to macroeconomic factors. The volatility was driven by the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance on interest rates, as Jerome Powell indicated a delay in cuts, leading to substantial impacts on major assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Bitcoin fell below $100,000, spurring significant technical selling. Ethereum faced a 16% drop over two days to around $3,303. According to Vincent Liu of Kronos Research, pivotal support levels were breached, resulting in cascading liquidations magnified by automated stop-loss orders. Crypto Selloff: $303.8M Liquidated Following Fed’s Decisions

The Federal Reserve’s role in shaping market expectations highlights the intersection of traditional financial policies with digital asset valuation. Major trading desks and on-chain strategists suggest continuing risk-off sentiment unless macroeconomic data shifts significantly. Concerns over leverage and liquidity remain prevalent, with regulatory responses anticipated should volatility persist.

The long-term implications for crypto involve potential adjustments in trading approaches, DeFi total value, and institutional participation levels. Historical parallels to 2018 and 2022 underline the cyclical nature of crypto markets under stress. Enhanced risk management and conservative leverage may become focal points for stakeholders navigating the evolving financial landscape.

“Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s hawkish remarks downplaying December rate cuts created the initial catalyst for crypto’s collapse…” — Jerome Powell, Chair, Federal Reserve (source)