Blockchain

Bitcoin is trapped on a “liquidation treadmill” where risky positions are being systematically hunted

January 24, 2026

Bitcoin is trapped on a “liquidation treadmill” where risky positions are being systematically huntedPerpetual futures now dominate Bitcoin’s short-term price discovery, and the recent flush showed how quickly crowded longs turn into forced selling. Andjela Radmilac Jan. 24, 2026 at 12:01 pm UTC 5 min read Updated: Jan.

A chained Bitcoin coin rides a worn treadmill in a dim trading room, symbolizing leveraged perpetual futures liquidations repeatedly driving BTC price action and market momentum

Credit: Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

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24, 2026 at 12:01 pm UTC Share Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate.
Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Bitcoin’s recent price action had a familiar signature: leverage built on the bounce, funding turned supportive for longs, then the market ran the nearest pockets of fragility until forced selling took over. BTC bouncing up and down in the $80,000 range is a result of futures positioning.
Data showed roughly $794 million in Bitcoin long liquidations this week as it touched ~$87,800, with liquidation “hot zones” extending down toward $80,000. Graph showing total Bitcoin liquidations from Jan.
1 to Jan.

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Bitcoin is trapped on a “liquidation treadmill” where risky positions are being systematically hunted

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Bitcoin is trapped on a “liquidation treadmill” where risky positions are being systematically hunted

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