Crypto Market Sees $163M in Long Liquidations in 24H

TLDR

• More than $163 million in long crypto positions were liquidated within 24 hours across major exchanges.
• Bitcoin and Ethereum futures accounted for most of the forced liquidations during the latest market decline.
• On May 8, exchanges recorded $253 million in long liquidations in a single trading day.
• On April 13, total crypto futures liquidations reached $406 million, with $184 million from long positions.
• On February 27, geopolitical tensions triggered $100 million in long liquidations within 15 minutes.

More than $163 million in long crypto positions were liquidated within 24 hours. Exchanges recorded forced closures as prices fell across major tokens. The losses extended a pattern of repeated leverage-driven selloffs in 2026.

Data from derivatives platforms showed that bullish traders were hit the hardest. Bitcoin and Ethereum contracts led the liquidations during the session. Market trackers confirmed that short liquidations remained comparatively limited.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Lead Latest Liquidation Wave in Crypto Market

Bitcoin futures absorbed a large share of the $163 million wiped out. Ethereum contracts also recorded heavy long position closures across global exchanges. Together, both assets accounted for most of the forced selling pressure.

On May 8, traders saw $253 million in long positions liquidated in one day. Earlier, on April 13, exchanges processed $406 million in total futures liquidations. Of that figure, $184 million came directly from long positions.

The April losses began on April 12 when platforms liquidated over $100 million in longs within four hours. That rapid unwind followed sharp price swings in Bitcoin and Ethereum markets. Exchanges executed automatic sell orders once margin levels fell below maintenance requirements.

On February 27, geopolitical tensions linked to the Israel-Iran conflict triggered another wave. Platforms recorded $100 million in long liquidations within 15 minutes. Total liquidations reached $137 million for that day.

In late April, exchanges liquidated more than 180,000 individual trader accounts. Records showed one BTC-USD liquidation order valued at $96.51 during the episode. The data reflected wide participation across retail and institutional accounts.

Market Positioning Shows Heavy Bullish Leverage

The $163 million total represented only long-side liquidations over the past 24 hours. Short liquidations occurred but remained far smaller in value. This imbalance indicated that traders largely positioned for higher prices.

When prices fell, exchanges triggered forced sales to cover leveraged bets. These automated liquidations added direct selling pressure to the crypto market. As a result, price declines accelerated during peak volatility.

Analysts described the process as a mechanical reaction to leverage exposure. One derivatives analyst said, “Liquidations clear excessive leverage when traders overextend.” Platforms designed these mechanisms to protect counterparties from cascading losses.

The recurring pattern has appeared several times since early 2026. Each episode followed elevated open interest and heavy long positioning. Exchanges continued to publish liquidation data in real time.

Market participants monitored funding rates and leverage ratios during the downturn. Data providers reported shifts in open interest after the latest wipeout. The most recent figures confirmed $163 million in long liquidations within 24 hours.

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