The cryptocurrency market saw massive liquidations over the past 24 hours, totaling $470 million, as Bitcoin’s price retraced after nearing the highly anticipated $100,000 milestone. The pullback triggered one of the largest liquidation events in over six months, with altcoins experiencing a significant share of the losses.
Bitcoin’s Retreat Sparks Liquidations
Bitcoin failed to surpass the $100,000 mark on November 24, dropping to $97,790—2% below its recent all-time high of $99,645 set on November 22. This price drop caused $108.9 million in Bitcoin positions to be liquidated, while the broader market suffered substantial losses.
- Total Liquidations: $472.5 million across both long and short positions.
- Breakdown: Long positions accounted for $352.6 million, while short positions made up $119.9 million.
- Major Contributors: Dogecoin (DOGE), XRP, Stellar (XLM), and Sandbox (SAND) were among the altcoins with unusually high liquidation volumes, totaling $33.1 million, $27.6 million, and $21.6 million, respectively.
Altcoins Surge Amid Bitcoin Pullback
Altcoins from the 2020-2021 bull cycle delivered unexpected gains, with some tokens surging as much as 50%. Notably, Stellar (XLM) experienced a significant rally, while Dogecoin hit its highest price since May 2021—the same month it reached its all-time high.
This altcoin resurgence has been attributed to several factors:
- Investor Activity: Analysts like Miles Deutscher suggest that traders from the previous cycle are returning to the market, reinvesting in familiar tokens.
- Value Opportunities: Some altcoins are viewed as undervalued in a market where Bitcoin and memecoins have been the dominant performers.
Market Snapshot
As of now, Bitcoin has gained nearly 44% since November 5, following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. The cryptocurrency’s dominance sits at 56.2% of the total crypto market cap, which is currently valued at $3.46 trillion, according to CoinGecko.
Implications for Traders
This wave of liquidations highlights the volatility of the crypto market and the risks of leveraged trading. While Bitcoin’s pullback was the trigger, the surprising performance of altcoins like Dogecoin and Stellar reflects a broader trend of increased participation in the crypto market.
Traders and investors should exercise caution as the market continues to grapple with Bitcoin’s inability to break the $100,000 barrier and the unpredictable movements of altcoins.