Yeliz Akmaca 
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan explained that last week’s record $20 billion crypto liquidation was not caused by fundamental issues. Hougan emphasized that the sudden crash was triggered by leveraged positions, not institutional failures.
Leverage and Market Reaction
The crypto market panic started after former President Trump announced a surprise trade threat against China. Following Trump’s claim on Truth Social about imposing 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports in response to potential rare earth metal export restrictions, investors reacted in crypto markets. Bitcoin dropped as leveraged positions triggered at least $20 billion in liquidations. Ethereum fell over 20%, and Solana lost more than 40%. By Monday morning, Bitcoin rebounded to around $115,000 as Trump attempted to ease tensions. Hougan noted, “Nothing in the fundamentals changed,” explaining why the market recovered quickly.
Technology and Blockchain Resilience
Hougan highlighted that blockchain systems performed well under stress. Decentralized platforms like Uniswap, Hyperliquid, and Aave operated smoothly. Centralized platforms faced some issues: Binance had to refund $283 million after depegging events and later launched a $400 million “rescue” initiative. Overall, Hougan argued that crypto systems managed volatility as well or better than traditional markets.
Investor Response and Market Confidence
Losses were mostly limited to individual investors, according to Hougan. Major professional investors remained largely unaffected, showing that long-term confidence was not shaken. He emphasized that the crypto market’s long-term growth drivers—regulatory progress, institutional adoption, and ongoing traditional market disruptions—remain intact.
Short-Term Expectations
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Market makers and liquidity providers may temporarily withdraw after high volatility.
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Liquidity gaps can amplify short-term price swings.
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Over time, the market will stabilize and refocus on fundamentals.
Hougan concluded that crypto assets are fundamentally strong, and the bull market is expected to resume quickly.
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