The cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp sell-off in the last 24 hours, with over $1 billion in leveraged positions liquidated. This dramatic downturn was triggered by the release of U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) data, which was higher than anticipated, raising concerns about persistent inflation and potentially delaying Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Bitcoin had just reached a new all-time high of over $123,500 before the market reversal. The sell-off hit long positions particularly hard, with $866 million in longs liquidated, compared to just $140 million in shorts. Ethereum traders bore the brunt of the losses, with $348.9 million in liquidations, followed by Bitcoin at $177.1 million.
According to Jeff Mei, COO at BTSE, the surprising inflation data "put the brakes on an incredible crypto rally." Nick Ruck, director at LVRG Research, noted that this event highlights crypto's increasing sensitivity to broader macroeconomic factors. Both experts suggest that the market is likely to remain volatile until there is clearer guidance from the Fed, with traders now focusing on upcoming labor metrics in early September for clues about the Fed's next steps.
August 2025, Cryptoniteuae