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Welcome back! Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Bitcoin, ether extend declines as leverage unwind accelerates: Crypto Markets Today
The crypto selloff deepened with bitcoin and ether sliding again as $1.8 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated and funding turned negative across majors. Derivatives signaled risk aversion: implied volatility jumped, puts outpriced calls, and block flows skewed bearish. Bitcoin dominance slipped as some traders rotated into speculative altcoins amid broader market weakness, including sharp drops in gold and silver.
Rollercoaster bitcoin price moves end up liquidating $1.7 billion in bullish crypto bets
Over $1.68 billion in leveraged crypto positions were liquidated in 24 hours, with longs making up nearly 93% of the wipeout as bitcoin fell to $81,000. Analysts say the flush was driven less by new bearish conviction and more by crowded long leverage unwinding, creating a reflexive cascade. The reset reduces forced flows and may leave cleaner positioning going forward, though it doesn’t guarantee a bottom.
U.S. listed bitcoin, ether ETFs bleed nearly $1 billion in a day
U.S.-listed spot bitcoin and ether ETFs saw nearly $1 billion in net outflows in a single session, led by redemptions from BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s funds, as crypto prices slid and volatility jumped. The synchronized selling suggests institutions reduced overall crypto exposure rather than rotating between BTC and ETH. For now, ETF flows appear to be following price; demand may stay fragile until volatility cools.
Bitcoin pulls back to as low as $81,000 as horrendous day continues
Bitcoin tumbled to around $81,000, erasing nearly $10,000 in a day and triggering more than $777 million in long liquidations within an hour. The drop coincided with rising odds that Kevin Warsh, viewed as more hawkish, could be the next Fed chair, pressuring risk assets. BTC hovered just above November’s low near $81,000, with next support eyed around $75,000.
Plunge in gold, silver, and copper sparks $120 million rout in blockchain metal clones
Sharp pullbacks in copper, gold, and silver spilled into crypto, triggering about $120 million in liquidations tied to tokenized metals as traders used crypto venues as round-the-clock macro rails. Dollar strength amid speculation around a hawkish Fed pick added pressure to commodities. Despite the setback, metals remain a leading theme for the year while bitcoin increasingly trades as a standalone risk asset.
Binance to shift $1 billion user protection fund into bitcoin amid market rout
Binance will convert stablecoin holdings in its $1 billion SAFU to bitcoin over the next 30 days and commit to topping it back up if market swings push the fund below $800 million. The exchange also pledged regular audits, framing the move as a long-term industry-building effort. The shift adds potential buy-side support for BTC during elevated volatility.
Crypto’s rough day sets giants into ‘plunge protection’ mode
As bitcoin neared fresh lows, Binance said it would buy BTC to maintain its user protection fund value, while Tron’s Justin Sun signaled additional purchases. These moves aim to steady sentiment but may be outweighed by macro headwinds like tightening dollar liquidity and hawkish Fed expectations. BTC dominance slipped, complicating read-throughs on altcoin resilience.
Here’s why Fed contender Kevin Warsh is seen as bearish for bitcoin
Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh is viewed as hawkish, emphasizing inflation risks and monetary discipline—conditions that typically imply higher real rates and tighter liquidity, a challenge for risk assets like bitcoin. While Warsh has occasionally spoken positively about crypto, markets reacted to his rising odds with a risk-off tilt and a stronger dollar. Even if appointed, decisions remain committee-based, but sentiment may stay cautious in the interim.
Asia Market Open: Bitcoin tumbles 7%, stocks swing as Trump signals Fed pick and shutdown deal
Asia opened to sharp cross-asset volatility as bitcoin fell roughly 7%, echoing jitters tied to U.S. political and policy headlines. Traders tracked the interplay between a potential Fed chair announcement and fiscal negotiations, underscoring how quickly macro news reverberates across global crypto venues. The session highlighted rising correlations between policy expectations and digital assets.
Vitalik Buterin to spend $43 million on Ethereum development
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the Ethereum Foundation is entering a period of “mild austerity,” as he personally withdrew 16,384 ETH (about $43 million) to support an open-source, verifiable full-stack spanning software and hardware. The focus remains on decentralization, self-sovereignty, privacy, and security, with exploration of decentralized staking to supplement funding. The move comes as EF reportedly holds about $558 million in crypto assets.
Bottom line: A leverage shakeout, macro uncertainty around the next Fed chair, and shifting institutional flows drove a bruising week for crypto—while market players like Binance stepped in to steady the ship and builders like Vitalik doubled down on long-term infrastructure. As volatility cools, watch ETF flows, funding rates, and dollar strength for early signals of stabilization—and whether capital rotates back from commodities into digital assets.
