- Bitcoin fell to a nine-month low of $82,134, down 7.4% in 24 hours, amid a broad market selloff driven by geopolitical tensions and U.S. policy uncertainty.
- The price drop triggered $1.7 billion in crypto liquidations, with over 90% from long positions, highlighting over-leveraged trading risks.
- U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs saw combined outflows nearing $1 billion in a single day, marking one of the worst sessions of 2026.
Bitcoin (BTC) extended its decline on January 29, 2026, slipping to $82,134—a level not seen in nine months—as macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical developments fueled a risk-off sentiment across global markets.
The drop wiped out 7.4% of its value in just 24 hours, pushing the total crypto market capitalization down by 6.7% and resulting in $1.68 billion in liquidated positions, predominantly longs.
The cascade of liquidations, totaling over $1.7 billion across exchanges, underscores the dangers of leveraged trading in volatile conditions.
Analysts note that thin liquidity amplified the move, with sell-side pressure overwhelming buy orders. Ethereum (ETH) also suffered, dropping similarly amid the broader rout.
U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs faced heavy redemptions, with outflows reaching $817.9 million for Bitcoin products and $155.6 million for Ether, combining for nearly $1 billion in a single day—the worst since November 2025. BlackRock’s IBIT and Grayscale’s GBTC led the exits, reflecting institutional caution amid rising volatility and macro uncertainty. This extends a streak of negative flows, with Bitcoin ETFs shedding $1.33 billion over the prior week.
In a counter move, Binance announced it will convert its $1 billion Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) from stablecoins to Bitcoin over the next 30 days, framing it as a long-term bet on the asset’s resilience.
The exchange committed to monitoring the fund and replenishing it if Bitcoin’s price fluctuations drop its value below $800 million. “This shift supports our vision for industry growth,” a Binance spokesperson stated. However, critics warn that exposing user protection to Bitcoin’s volatility could introduce new risks if prices fall further.
Market watchers attribute the downturn to a mix of factors, including speculation around U.S. President Trump’s potential nomination of inflation hawk Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair, escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, and a strengthening U.S. dollar pressuring risk assets.
While some see this as a healthy correction after recent gains, others caution of potential further downside if key supports like $80,000 break. Balanced views suggest consolidation could reset over-leveraged positions, paving the way for recovery if inflows resume.
For context, see related coverage on market volatility at https://cryptopress.site/crypto-weekly-snapshot-key-news-shaking-crypto.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
