Why Did Crypto Suddenly Plunge? Millions in Liquidations Explained

The global cryptocurrency market suffered one of its most violent crashes of 2025 this week, erasing billions in value within hours and triggering panic among investors worldwide. Over $7.5 billion in trading positions were liquidated in just one hour, with major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP plunging sharply across exchanges.

The wipeout left more than 1.4 million traders nursing heavy losses, according to data from Coinglass. Bitcoin alone saw $1.83 billion in liquidations, followed by $1.68 billion in Ethereum, $614.38 million in Solana, and $432.46 million in XRP. The HTX exchange recorded the single largest liquidation event — $87.53 million on the BTC/USDT pair.

Billions Vanish in Hours as Crypto Market Reels

Within 24 hours, the total liquidations surpassed $9 billion, including $7.5 billion in long positions and $1.5 billion in shorts. It was the biggest single-day wipeout since early April 2025 and sent shockwaves through the entire digital asset ecosystem.

At press time, Bitcoin was trading at $113,553.35, down 6.64% in 24 hours. Ethereum fell 10.79% to $3,896.53, while XRP plunged 17.15% to $2.32. Solana was also hit hard, down nearly 16%. Overall, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies dropped by about 13% in a single day to $3.59 trillion.

Analysts say the sudden sell-off exposed how vulnerable crypto markets remain to rapid sentiment changes. The steep losses and cascading liquidations suggest many traders were heavily leveraged — amplifying the crash once liquidation thresholds were triggered.

Market Shock Highlights Crypto’s Global Sensitivity

This latest crash underscores how closely cryptocurrency markets are now tied to macroeconomic events, policy shifts, and global investor sentiment. As risk appetite evaporated, traders quickly moved to reduce exposure, sparking a domino effect across exchanges.

“It’s a sharp reminder that crypto is not immune to broader financial forces,” said one strategist quoted by Reuters. “Whether you’re holding Bitcoin or altcoins, these markets react quickly and violently when uncertainty rises.”

For some investors, the dip represents a buying opportunity, while others fear more volatility could follow in the days ahead. Experts warn that future policy announcements or economic developments could trigger similar waves of liquidations, especially as leverage remains high across many platforms.

The latest plunge serves as a cautionary tale for traders: cryptocurrency remains a high-risk market where conditions can change in minutes. With billions already wiped out, all eyes are now on how quickly — or if — the market can recover.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How much was liquidated during the crypto crash?

More than $7.5 billion in positions were wiped out within an hour, and over $9 billion in total within 24 hours.

Q2: Which cryptocurrencies were hit hardest?

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP suffered the largest losses, with double-digit declines across the board.

Q3: How many investors were affected?

More than 1.4 million investors liquidated their trading positions within 24 hours.

Q4: How did the total crypto market capitalization change?

The overall crypto market cap fell around 13% in a single day, dropping to $3.59 trillion.

Q5: Could crypto see more volatility ahead?

Yes. Analysts warn that high leverage and sensitive market sentiment could trigger more sharp swings.

Strict Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always conduct your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

References

Reuters. (2025). Crypto markets plunge as billions in positions are liquidated. October 10, 2025.

Associated Press. (2025). Over $7.5 billion wiped out in sudden crypto market crash. October 10, 2025.

BBC News. (2025). Bitcoin, Ethereum plunge as global sell-off wipes billions from market. October 11, 2025.