Bears Lose $400M to Liquidations, Largest Since May, as BTC, ETH, SOL Spike Higher

Bitcoin is hovering just shy of its record high, teasing investors with the possibility of a breakout but not quite making the leap. After a recent push brought it close to its all-time peak of $111,000, the price has settled into a holding pattern around $108,927—basically flat over the past day. Traders are keeping a close eye on spot market activity (where Bitcoin changes hands in real time) as it seems to be the main force behind the current momentum, while chatter about derivatives adds another layer to the drama.

Editor’s Note: Bitcoin’s price dance near its all-time high is a big deal because it shows how the market is wrestling with confidence—or lack thereof—to push past that psychological barrier. The fact that spot trading (real buys and sells) is driving the action, rather than speculative derivatives, suggests a steadier kind of interest in Bitcoin right now. For crypto watchers, this could signal whether the market is gearing up for a fresh rally or just catching its breath before the next move. Either way, it’s a moment that could set the tone for the weeks ahead.

Bitcoin is hovering just below its all-time high of $112,000, stuck in a tight range after multiple failed attempts to push past that peak. But here’s the twist: buyers keep stepping in to prop it up whenever it dips, showing strong underlying demand. Now, with the U.S. dollar index (DXY) weakening, some analysts think this could be the nudge Bitcoin needs to finally break out.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve been watching Bitcoin’s price action lately, it’s been a bit of a tease—close to record highs but not quite there. The DXY (which measures the dollar’s strength against other currencies) often moves inversely to Bitcoin; when the dollar weakens, crypto tends to rally. So, if this trend holds, Bitcoin might finally smash through its ceiling. For traders and crypto fans, this could be the moment they’ve been waiting for.

BlackRock's new spot Ether ETF is off to a roaring start, racking up a record $43 million in trading volume on its first day while pulling in $158 million in fresh investor cash. This suggests strong early demand for crypto exposure through traditional finance giants.

Editor’s Note: Big-money investors are clearly warming up to crypto—even with all the regulatory uncertainty. BlackRock’s stamp of approval seems to be giving institutional players the confidence to dive into Ether, which could signal broader acceptance of crypto in mainstream portfolios. If this keeps up, it might nudge other Wall Street firms to jump in too.

A crypto trader on Hyperliquid got greedy and paid the price. They initially had a shot at a $26 million profit from shorting Ethereum (ETH), but instead of cashing out, they doubled down—only to watch the trade backfire spectacularly, leaving them with a $716,000 loss. Ouch.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a cautionary tale about overconfidence in trading—it’s a stark reminder of how volatile crypto markets can be. Even experienced traders can get burned when they push their luck. For everyday investors, it’s a nudge to stick to risk management (or at least not bet the farm on a hunch). And for the crypto world, it’s another eyebrow-raising moment that’ll fuel debates about market unpredictability.