# Crypto derivatives forced liquidations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/crypto-derivatives-forced-liquidations
> Updated: 2026-08-20T15:00:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 5.

The cryptocurrency derivatives market has experienced several massive waves of forced liquidations driven by extreme volatility. On 21 July, $2.16 billion in positions were liquidated within 24 hours; long positions accounted for roughly 64% ($1.38 billion), while a brief four-hour window saw a $39.12 million spike driven almost entirely by short sellers, primarily on Binance. Between 23 and 24 July, the trend shifted toward long-position unwinding. Liquidation volume rose from $181.7 million to $255.4 million, with long positions comprising 59% to 75% of the total. Ethereum led these outflows, including a $4.48 million Binance ETH/USDC trade, while a Hyperliquid XYZ:CL-USD position worth $7.86 million was also notable. A further spike occurred on 31 July, when approximately $289.7 million in positions were liquidated, 62% of which were long. Bitcoin and Ethereum accounted for roughly $246 million of this volume, and more than 94,000 participants were impacted. On 19 August, liquidations reached $2.74 billion in a 24-hour period. Unlike previous long-heavy unwinds, this event was characterized by massive short squeezes: Bitcoin led with $1.42 billion in liquidations (99% short), and Ethereum followed with $1.13 billion in liquidations following a 17% price surge. Solana also saw approximately $104 million in liquidations during this period. On 20 August, the market saw a further escalation, with approximately $2.98 billion in positions liquidated over 24 hours. This event, which impacted more than 173,000 traders, was driven overwhelmingly by short positions totaling roughly $2.74 billion. Major exchanges involved included Binance, OKX, and Gate.io, while Hyperliquid recorded a single BTC-USD liquidation of $48.80 million. This event is noted as the eighth-largest liquidation event in history. Following these surges, Bitcoin rose toward $72,500 and Ethereum climbed nearly 20 percent to $2,280. This upward momentum was attributed to the breaking of key resistance levels and U.S.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: Hyperliquid trader loses millions as Ethereum short unwinds

A Hyperliquid trader lost over $24 million after a 50,000 ETH short position was liquidated in 12 seconds during a sudden Ethereum price spike.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hyperliquid-trader-loses-millions-as-ethereum-short-unwinds

### 2026-08-19: Cryptocurrency markets see $2.74 billion in liquidations amid Ethereum surge

Cryptocurrency markets saw $2.74 billion in liquidations, led by Bitcoin and Ethereum, while NEAR Protocol launched new AI-focused staking models.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cryptocurrency-markets-see-274-billion-in-liquidations-amid-ethereum-surge

### 2026-07-31: Crypto Market Sees $289 Million in Leveraged Position Liquidations

Crypto derivatives saw $289 million liquidated in 24 hours, 62% from longs, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading; Binance handled 45% of the volume and over 94,000 traders were affected.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crypto-market-sees-289-million-in-leveraged-position-liquidations

### 2026-07-23: Digital Asset Derivatives Experience Massive Long Position Liquidations

Crypto derivative markets saw $181.7 M and $255.4 M liquidated over two days, with long positions making up 59% and 75% of the totals, mainly in Ethereum and Bitcoin.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/digital-asset-derivatives-experience-massive-long-position-liquidations

### 2026-07-21: Crypto Derivatives Face $2.2 B Liquidations as Volatility Triggers Long and Short Squeezes

Crypto derivatives saw $2.16 billion liquidated in 24 hours, 64 % longs and 36 % shorts, while a four‑hour spike of $39 million was 89 % short‑driven, led by Binance.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crypto-derivatives-face-22-b-liquidations-as-volatility-triggers-long-and-short-squeezes

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Cite as: Crypto derivatives forced liquidations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/crypto-derivatives-forced-liquidations