Crypto Market Wiped as $763M in Long Positions Get Liquidated

The crypto market saw a sharp shakeout over the past 12 hours. According to Cointelegraph, $763 million worth of long positions were wiped out in a short period of time. This means many traders who were betting on prices going up were forced out of their trades.

🚨 REKT: The market wiped out $763M in longs in the past 12 hours. pic.twitter.com/DD9DK87kSY

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) January 19, 2026

The event happened quickly and surprised many retail traders. As prices dropped, losses stacked up across major cryptocurrencies. This kind of move is often described as traders getting “rekt.”

Which Coins Were Hit the Hardest

Bitcoin took the biggest hit in terms of liquidations. Around $229 million, or roughly 30%, came from Bitcoin long positions. Ethereum followed next with about $149 million, making up close to 19% of the total.

Solana also saw heavy damage, with around $59 million in long liquidations. Other altcoins added to the total as prices slipped across the board. The chart shared shows how widespread the damage was, not limited to just one asset.

What Caused the Liquidations

The liquidations began after Bitcoin dropped below $93,000. This move happened alongside weak openings in US futures markets. At the same time, the US dollar strengthened, which often puts pressure on risk assets like crypto.

There were also renewed worries around regulation. Even small negative headlines can push traders to sell when markets are already crowded with leverage. Once prices started falling, liquidations accelerated the drop.

Why Leverage Makes Moves Worse

Leverage allows traders to control large positions with small amounts of money. While this can increase profits, it also increases risk. When prices move the wrong way, exchanges automatically close positions to prevent further losses.

In this case, many traders were heavily positioned on the long side. As prices fell, forced selling kicked in. This created a chain reaction, pushing prices even lower and liquidating more positions.

How Traders Reacted

Community reactions focused on lessons learned. Many users pointed out how greed and overconfidence often lead to big losses. Others reminded traders that leverage works both ways and can wipe accounts quickly.

Some experienced traders saw this as a market reset. Large liquidation events often remove weak hands and reduce excessive leverage. This can sometimes help the market stabilize afterward.

What This Means Going Forward

In the short term, volatility may stay high. Traders will likely reduce leverage and wait for clearer direction. Bitcoin holding or losing key levels will shape the next move.

In the bigger picture, this event is another reminder that crypto markets move fast. Managing risk matters more than chasing quick gains, especially during uncertain macro conditions.