The crypto market fell 1.72% in 24h amid macroeconomic uncertainty and derivatives-driven selling.
Fed rate cut speculation – Weak U.S. jobs data fueled bets on aggressive easing, creating market indecision.
$700M liquidations – U.S. tariff hikes triggered cascading long-position closures, amplifying selling pressure.
Technical breakdown – Prices slipped below critical support levels, accelerating bearish momentum.
Deep Dive
1. Macro Jitters & Fed Policy (Mixed Impact)
Overview:
July’s revised U.S. jobs data (73K new jobs vs. 110K expected) and cumulative downward revisions of 258K positions sparked fears of economic cooling. BlackRock’s Rick Rieder flagged a potential 50bps Fed rate cut in September, creating conflicting narratives about crypto’s role as an inflation hedge versus risk asset.
What it means:
While rate cuts typically boost liquidity-sensitive assets, the abrupt shift in expectations caused short-term volatility. Crypto’s 24h correlation with Nasdaq-100 hit +0.85, reflecting shared sensitivity to growth fears.
2. Leverage Unwind Cascade (Bearish Impact)
Overview:
Derivatives markets saw $709M liquidations in 24h – the largest this year – after U.S. tariff hikes triggered a risk-off wave. Ethereum led with $265M liquidated, mostly longs (77.5% of total).
What it means:
The 25.8% spike in perpetuals open interest to $889.6B preceding the drop created a powder keg. Negative funding rates (-20% 24h change) show traders rushed to short after the breakdown.
Watch for:
BTC’s $108,322-$119,203 liquidation zone – a break beyond could trigger another $5.7B in forced closures.
3. China Regulatory FUD (Bearish Impact)
Overview:
Unverified reports of China considering a Bitcoin ownership ban circulated hours before the drop. While unconfirmed, the news impacted Asian trading sentiment – Chinese crypto communities saw increased stablecoin conversions.
What it means:
Historical precedent (2021 mining ban) makes China-related FUD impactful, though enforcement challenges limit practical effects. The timing exacerbated existing technical weakness.
Conclusion
Today’s dip reflects a perfect storm of macro uncertainty, derivatives over-leverage, and regional regulatory noise. While the Fed pivot narrative could support prices mid-term, traders should monitor whether BTC holds the $113K-$115K support cluster. Key question: Can Ethereum ETFs’ 20-day inflow streak (+$7.3B monthly) offset BTC’s weakening technicals?
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