Published & Updated: January 19, 2026 23:45 JST | Tapbit Macro & Liquidation Alert
Bitcoin fell sharply below $92,000 during Asian trading on Monday, January 19, 2026, dropping as much as 3.6% to a low of ~$91,200 before partial recovery. The trigger: President Donald Trump’s Truth Social announcement imposing 10% tariffs on goods from eight NATO European nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Finland), effective February 1, 2026—escalating to 25% by June 1 unless the U.S. gains control of Greenland. The move sparked immediate risk-off flows, with total crypto long liquidations exceeding $790 million in 24 hours (CoinGlass data), 79% from leveraged longs on Bybit, Binance, Hyperliquid, and OKX.
January 19, 2026 Liquidation & Price Snapshot
| Asset | 24h Low | 24h Change | Liquidated Amount | Longs % | Key Level Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $91,200 | –3.6% | $222M–$300M | 81% | $92,500 weekly support broken |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $3,210 | –4.2% | $118M | 76% | $3,300 psychological level lost |
| Altcoins (aggregate) | — | –5% to –12% | $460M+ | 78% | GameFi sector –8–15% |
| Total Market | — | –3% avg | $790M–$910M | 79% | Fear & Greed Index → 42 (Fear) |
Trump’s Tariff Announcement – Timeline & Targets
- Announcement Date: January 19, 2026 (Truth Social post)
- Effective Date: February 1, 2026 – 10% base tariff
- Escalation: June 1, 2026 – automatic 25% unless Greenland sovereignty transferred
- Targeted Nations (8 NATO members): Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Finland
- Stated Reason: “Unfair trade practices” + failure to cede Greenland control
Why This Triggered a $790M+ Liquidation Cascade
- Geopolitical Shock: Direct tariffs on NATO allies + territorial ultimatum (Greenland) → unprecedented escalation risk
- Technical Breakdown: BTC clean loss of $92,500 weekly support → automated stop-loss & margin calls
- High Leverage Overhang: 75–80% of liquidated positions were longs using 50–150× leverage
- Global Risk-Off Flows: US futures –0.8–1.2%, Stoxx 600 –1.2%, gold +1.4%, DXY +0.7%
Technical Levels After the Drop – BTC & ETH
Bitcoin (BTC) – Current ~$91,500–$91,900
- Immediate Support: $90,800–$91,200 (next liq cluster)
- Critical Support: $88,500–$90,000 (200d EMA + prior base)
- Resistance: $93,500 (failed reclaim zone) → $95,000
- RSI (4h): 38 → approaching oversold (bounce possible)
Ethereum (ETH) – Current ~$3,210–$3,240
- Critical Support: $3,139 (50d EMA) – major defense line
- Next Support: $3,050–$3,000
- Resistance: $3,300 (recent breakdown) → $3,380
How Tapbit Traders Can Navigate This Volatility
- Create your Tapbit account (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT via P2P or card
- Spot dip strategy: Limit buys at BTC $91,000–$91,500 / ETH $3,150–$3,180
- Futures protection: Short BTC/ETH on failed reclaim of $93,500 / $3,320 (isolated margin, 1–2% risk)
- Hedge play: Long SOL/USDT spot + short BTC perpetuals (relative strength)
- Safety first: Use tight stops + isolated margin; never exceed 1% account risk per trade
Conclusion
Bitcoin’s 3.6% drop below $92,000 and Ethereum’s slide under $3,300 on January 19, 2026, were directly fueled by President Trump’s 10% tariff threat (escalating to 25%) on eight European NATO nations — explicitly linked to Greenland sovereignty demands. The resulting $790M+ liquidation cascade (79% longs) highlights how quickly geopolitical shocks can trigger leveraged wipeouts. While short-term fear dominates, historical patterns show such capitulation phases often precede strong rebounds — especially when institutional flows remain supportive. Traders should prioritize capital preservation and wait for confirmed structure before aggressive positioning.
Trade tariff volatility & BTC/ETH dips on Tapbit:
- Sign Up on Tapbit (0% spot trading fees)
- Login & Deposit
- Live BTC, ETH & Futures Prices
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or trading advice. Cryptocurrency and traditional markets are highly volatile and subject to geopolitical events. Always conduct your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
