Last Updated: January 19, 2026 23:45 JST | Tapbit Liquidation & Volatility Desk
Cryptocurrency markets experienced extreme turbulence on January 19, 2026, with over $800 million in leveraged long positions liquidated within 24 hours. Bitcoin alone saw $222 million wiped out, Ethereum $118 million, while the broader market suffered a sharp 3–5% decline. The cascade was primarily triggered by renewed Trump tariff rhetoric, macro risk-off flows, and cascading stop-losses below key technical levels. This comprehensive guide analyzes the event, shows real-time CoinGlass liquidation data, explains the mechanics, and provides actionable strategies to survive and potentially profit from similar volatility on Tapbit.
January 19, 2026 Liquidation Event – Key Statistics
| Asset / Category | Liquidated Amount (24h) | Longs vs Shorts Ratio | Peak Price Before Wipeout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $222 million | 81% Longs / 19% Shorts | $93,800 → $91,200 |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $118 million | 76% Longs / 24% Shorts | $3,340 → $3,210 |
| Altcoins (aggregate) | $460 million+ | 78% Longs | Various – most 5–12% drops |
| Total Market | $800–$910 million | 79% Longs | Market-wide fear spike |
| Fear & Greed Index | 42 (Extreme Fear) | – | Lowest since late Dec 2025 |
What Triggered the $800M+ Liquidation Cascade?
- renewed Trump Tariff Threats: Late Wednesday/early Thursday comments about expanded tariffs on Europe + select Asian economies reignited global risk-off sentiment.
- Technical Breakdown & Stop-Loss Cascade: BTC clean break below $92,500 weekly support triggered automated stop-losses and margin calls → classic cascading liquidation spiral.
- High Leverage Overhang: Over 75–80% of liquidated positions were leveraged longs, many using 50–150x leverage on major exchanges.
- GameFi & Memecoin Beta Exposure: High-leverage retail positions in GameFi tokens (IMX, GALA, etc.) suffered 2–5× the damage of majors.
Technical Breakdown – Where Next for BTC & ETH?
Bitcoin (BTC) – Current ~$91,200–$91,900
- Immediate Support: $90,800–$91,200 (next major liquidation cluster)
- Critical Support: $88,500–$90,000 (200-day EMA + prior base)
- Resistance: $93,500 (failed breakdown level) → $95,000
- RSI (4h): 38 → approaching oversold (potential bounce signal)
Ethereum (ETH) – Current ~$3,210–$3,240
- Critical Support: $3,139 (50-day EMA) – major battle zone
- Next Support: $3,050–$3,000
- Resistance: $3,300 (recent breakdown) → $3,380
How to Survive & Profit from Liquidation Events on Tapbit
1. Spot Dip Buying (Low–Medium Risk)
- Deposit USDT via P2P (0 fees)
- Set limit buys: BTC $90,800–$91,200 / ETH $3,150–$3,180
- Hold in Tapbit Earn → 5–12% APY on stables while waiting
2. Futures Short Scalping (Medium–High Risk)
- Isolated margin + 50–150x leverage
- Short entry: failed reclaim of $93,500 (BTC) / $3,320 (ETH)
- Stop-loss: 1–2% above entry
- Take-profit: $90,800–$91,200 (BTC), $3,120–$3,150 (ETH)
- Maker fee advantage: 0.02%
3. Hedged Volatility Play (Advanced)
- Long SOL/USDT spot (ecosystem resilience)
- Short BTC perpetuals (beta hedge)
- Ratio: 1.5–2× SOL exposure vs BTC short
- Exit when SOL/BTC ratio shows strength
Conclusion
The $800M+ liquidation event on January 19, 2026 — with **Bitcoin below $92,500, Ethereum under $3,300, and GameFi down 8–15% — is a classic risk-off cascade triggered by renewed tariff threats and technical breakdowns. While painful in the short term, such capitulation phases often mark excellent long-term entry zones, especially when fear index spikes and institutional flows remain supportive on longer timeframes.
Tapbit’s 0-fee spot trading, 150x isolated leverage futures, and high-liquidity pools give you the best tools to both protect capital during the dip and position for the eventual rebound.
Ready to trade this volatility? Open Tapbit account now → Live BTC, ETH, SOL prices
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile — past performance is not indicative of future results. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
