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Stocks hit record highs while US$300M in crypto longs get liquidated: What’s next?

Stocks hit record highs while US$300M in crypto longs get liquidated: What’s next?

While major US stock indexes closed at all-time highs, capping off their best monthly performance since 2020, the digital asset space is currently digesting a sharp, painful correction in leverage. This split personality in the market suggests that while institutional capital remains confident in the earnings power of megacap technology firms, speculative traders in the crypto derivatives market are being forced to reset their risk exposure.

The narrative of the day is not one of universal fear, but rather a selective rotation in which fundamental earnings in stocks are overpowering macroeconomic headwinds, while crowded speculative positions in crypto are being flushed out by technical resistance levels.

The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant deleveraging event over the last 24 hours, characterised by a violent flush of long positions. Data indicates that approximately US$326.71 million in leveraged positions were liquidated, with the overwhelming majority of this pain concentrated on the buy side. Specifically, US$285.87 million of these liquidations came from long positions, compared with just US$40.84 million from short positions. This means that roughly 87.5 per cent of the liquidated value resulted from traders betting on price increases who were forced out of their positions as prices dipped.

The brunt of this activity hit the two largest assets by market capitalisation. Ethereum saw roughly US$308.85 million in liquidations, while Bitcoin saw about US$204.96 million across major venues such as Binance, Hyperliquid, OKX, and Bybit. Some broader estimates place the total liquidation figure closer to US$500 million over a similar window, underscoring the intensity of the sell-off.

This liquidation cascade was not driven by a fundamental collapse in the value of these assets but rather by a technical failure at key resistance levels. Bitcoin has repeatedly failed to sustain a break above the US$77,000-US$80,000 range. This area has become a formidable ceiling where profit-taking by short-term holders meets dense clusters of leveraged long risk around the US$74,000 to US$75,000 levels.

When the price rejected this resistance, market mechanics triggered a cascade of margin calls, forcing traders to sell and driving prices further into the liquidation maps. Ethereum appeared even more technically fragile, trading below key moving averages and failing to hold resistance before rolling over. The result was a classic long squeeze, in which the market punished overly optimistic leverage rather than reflecting a change in the underlying spot demand for the assets.

In stark contrast to the volatility in digital assets, the traditional stock market rallied to record highs, driven by robust earnings reports that seem to justify lofty valuations. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted their best monthly gains in six years, fueled by the continued dominance of megacap technology firms. Alphabet led the charge with a 10 per cent surge after reporting a strong Q1 revenue beat and announcing an aggressive capital expenditure guidance of up to US$190 billion for 2026.

Amazon also contributed significantly to the rally, reporting a 17 per cent revenue increase to US$181.5 billion and seeing its cloud computing division, AWS, accelerate growth to 28 per cent. Apple shares also rose in extended trading following a positive revenue forecast. These results suggest that despite high interest rates, the biggest tech companies are generating enough cash flow to support massive investment cycles.

The enthusiasm for artificial intelligence is not without its sceptics, even within the stock market. The same theme of AI capital expenditure that boosted Alphabet caused sell-offs in other tech giants. Meta Platforms and Microsoft fell 8.6 per cent and 3.9 per cent, respectively, as investors reacted negatively to disappointing user growth and the high memory costs associated with their massive AI spending. NVIDIA also dipped four per cent due to broader scrutiny regarding AI capital expenditures rather than any company-specific bad news.

This indicates a growing bifurcation in the tech sector where investors are beginning to demand proof of return on investment for the billions being poured into AI infrastructure. The market is no longer rewarding spending for the sake of spending. It is rewarding spending that translates into revenue growth, as seen with Amazon and Alphabet.

The macroeconomic backdrop for these divergent market moves remains complex and somewhat contradictory. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold for a third straight meeting as inflation remained above the three per cent mark, a level that is still uncomfortably high relative to the central bank’s targets. Despite this, the US economy grew at a 2.0 per cent rate in Q1 2026, showing resilience that supports the stock market rally.

Geopolitical tensions are adding a layer of volatility that cannot be ignored. Brent crude oil settled near US$110 per barrel after surging past US$114 amid concerns over potential US strikes on Iran and the United Arab Emirates’ announced exit from OPEC. Additionally, currency markets saw wild swings, with the Japanese yen reaching 157.14 per dollar following a suspected intervention by the Ministry of Finance. These factors create an environment where capital is expensive and global stability is fragile, which helps explain why leverage in the crypto market is so vulnerable to sudden shocks.

Looking ahead, the derivatives market metrics will be the primary indicator of where volatility might spike next. Despite the recent wipeout of long positions, total derivatives open interest remains elevated at approximately US$493.1 billion, having risen roughly two to four per cent over the last day. Perpetuals open interest alone sits near US$489.52 billion.

Crucially, average funding rates have flipped modestly negative, signalling that traders are leaning more defensively after the flush. The key dynamic to watch is whether this open interest continues to fall, indicating deeper, healthier deleveraging, or if it quickly rebuilds near resistance levels. If leverage bleeds down while prices remain stable, it sets the stage for a sustainable move higher. If high leverage and positive funding rates return too quickly, the market risks another sharp squeeze in either direction.

The current market environment suggests a period of digestion and selection. The stock market is proving that earnings power can currently override macroeconomic fears, pushing indexes to new highs even as oil prices surge and the Fed holds rates steady. The crypto market, conversely, is undergoing a necessary technical reset.

The next phase of this cycle will depend on whether the AI spending boom continues to deliver the revenue growth seen by Amazon and Alphabet, or if the costs highlighted by Meta and Microsoft begin to weigh down the broader market. Until then, the divergence between record-high stocks and flushing crypto leverage defines the risk landscape of May 2026.

 

Source: https://e27.co/stocks-hit-record-highs-while-us300m-in-crypto-longs-get-liquidated-whats-next-20260501/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

While the Fed offers only 7 basis points of hope, Bitcoin marches toward US$80K

While the Fed offers only 7 basis points of hope, Bitcoin marches toward US$80K

The cryptocurrency market shows clear upward momentum this Monday, with Bitcoin trading near US$78,888 and steadily approaching the psychologically significant US$80,000 level. This movement reflects more than routine volatility. It signals a market responding to concrete catalysts while traditional financial systems grapple with their own uncertainties.

The Bitcoin 2026 Conference, opening today in Las Vegas, serves as a primary catalyst. This event, running from April 27 through 29, has historically preceded meaningful price appreciation. It brings together developers, institutional allocators, and policy voices who shape the next phase of adoption.

Major announcements regarding corporate treasury strategies and regulatory clarity often emerge from this stage. This gathering is not a mere spectacle but a critical coordination point for an ecosystem that thrives on network effects. When key players align on technical standards or custody solutions, the entire market benefits from reduced friction and increased confidence.

Persistent demand through spot Bitcoin ETFs continues to absorb approximately US$1 billion per week. This steady institutional accumulation occurs despite cautious retail sentiment, highlighting a divergence in market participation. I find this dynamic particularly telling. It suggests that sophisticated capital recognises Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition even when short-term noise dominates headlines.

Strategy Inc., formerly MicroStrategy, reinforces this trend by maintaining aggressive buying pressure. The firm now holds more Bitcoin than any other publicly traded entity, surpassing even the largest ETFs in total holdings. This corporate strategy demonstrates a conviction that transcends quarterly earnings cycles and speaks to a fundamental reassessment of reserve assets.

Derivatives markets add another layer of upward pressure through short squeezing. Many leveraged traders positioned for downside exposure now face mounting losses as prices rise. These participants must cover positions by buying back into the market, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. I consider this mechanical dynamic a healthy feature of maturing markets rather than a distortion.

It reflects the growing complexity of crypto trading venues and the increasing sophistication of participants who understand these feedback loops. The scheduled launch of regulated cryptocurrency perpetual futures on prediction markets like Kalshi today further expands the toolkit available to both retail and institutional players. This product innovation lowers barriers to participation while introducing new risk management capabilities.

Asset performance across the board supports the bullish thesis. Bitcoin maintains a technically constructive posture above its 20-period exponential moving average while testing resistance near US$80,000. Ethereum trades around US$2,360, benefiting from a broader market recovery and renewed signals of institutional confidence. Major altcoins, including XRP and Solana, show modest gains, though some encounter technical resistance at local highs.

I interpret this selective strength as evidence of market discernment. Capital flows toward protocols with clear utility and robust developer activity while sidestepping projects lacking fundamental traction. This selectivity marks a departure from the indiscriminate rallies of earlier cycles and reflects a more mature investment approach.

Macro headwinds loom large as traders prepare for the Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting scheduled for April 28 and 29. Current market pricing implies only seven basis points of easing expected for the entirety of 2026, a sharp reduction from earlier hopes of rate cuts. This constrained monetary outlook creates a challenging backdrop for all risk assets. Crypto demonstrates relative resilience in this environment.

I see this as proof of the asset class’s evolving role as a non-sovereign store of value. When traditional policy tools reach their limits, decentralised networks offer an alternative framework for preserving purchasing power. This distinction grows more relevant as geopolitical tensions complicate central bank decision-making.

Global equity markets reflect this caution. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq recently reached all-time highs following strong tech earnings, but sentiment cooled today amid renewed tensions in the Middle East. US-Iran peace talks have stalled, triggering a spike in crude oil prices. Reports of naval incidents in the Strait of Hormuz reignite fears of physical energy shortages.

I view this geopolitical friction as a reminder of the fragility inherent in centralised systems. Crypto networks operate without geographic boundaries or single points of failure. This architectural advantage becomes increasingly valuable during periods of international instability.

Tech sector dynamics present a mixed picture. Semiconductor firms like Intel provided support to Nasdaq late last week, while software companies such as ServiceNow face pressure following deal slippage attributed to instability in the Middle East. This divergence underscores how different segments of the technology ecosystem respond to macro shocks.

I believe crypto infrastructure benefits from this environment because its value proposition does not depend on corporate sales cycles or enterprise procurement timelines. Network effects and protocol upgrades drive adoption regardless of quarterly earnings reports.

Regional markets offer additional context. India’s Nifty 50 tests psychological support at 24,000, while weak industrial core data showing a negative 0.4 per cent print and Reserve Bank of India slowdown warnings keep domestic sentiment defensive. Australia’s ASX 200 remains relatively flat at the open, with gains in energy stocks partially offsetting a slump in mining sectors.

These regional variations highlight how local factors interact with global trends. Crypto markets, by contrast, trade 24 hours a day across all time zones. This continuous price discovery mechanism provides a more responsive barometer of global risk appetite than any single national index.

I expect volatility to increase around the FOMC decision. The underlying drivers supporting crypto remain intact. Institutional accumulation continues, technical structures hold, and industry events foster collaboration.

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Why institutional money is buying crypto while geopolitical risks mount

Why institutional money is buying crypto while geopolitical risks mount

Bitcoin ETFs pulled in US$272.59M in net flows while Ethereum products added US$79.25M, creating a steady bid that absorbs supply even as retail participation remains muted. This institutional backbone matters because it changes the market’s texture. Instead of volatile swings driven by sentiment alone, we now see structural buying that cushions dips and supports grinds higher.

The data confirms this pattern, showing that large wallets continue to accumulate, including one notable purchase of 35,000 ETH worth US$80M. When whales and institutions align on the buy side, the path of least resistance tilts upward, provided macro conditions do not suddenly shift.

Regulatory clarity is adding fuel to this constructive setup. SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently outlined a framework that categorises tokens into five distinct buckets, separating digital commodities, collectibles, tools, and payment tokens from those that qualify as securities.

This approach, paired with a separation doctrine that allows tokens to shed their securities status once the issuer’s obligations end, gives projects a clearer compliance roadmap. The proposed innovation exemption creates a caged environment in which qualified firms can issue and trade tokenised securities on-chain with lighter requirements, while longer-term rules take shape.

For the first time, tokenised equities, bonds, and real-world assets have a defined path to trade on public or permissioned blockchains in the United States, rather than migrate offshore. This matters because it reduces regulatory uncertainty, one of the largest overhangs on crypto valuations, and invites traditional capital to engage with on-chain markets under familiar legal guardrails.

Crypto does not trade in isolation. The market currently shows an 83 per cent correlation with the S&P 500, reflecting a shared sensitivity to interest rate expectations and liquidity conditions. Equities retreated recently as geopolitical tensions flared around the April 22, 2026, ceasefire deadline between the United States and Iran. The Dow Jones fell 292.96 points to close at 49,149.60, the S&P 500 dropped 45.09 points to 7,064.05, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 144.43 points to finish at 24,259.96.

Oil prices surged above US$90 per barrel after reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard re-closed the Strait of Hormuz, while gold tumbled 3.1 per cent following news of a ceasefire extension. These moves ripple through crypto because institutional portfolios rebalance across asset classes. When macro uncertainty rises, even crypto’s structural buyers may pause, testing the resilience of the current uptrend.

From a technical perspective, the market sits at an inflection point. The US$2.61T level represents the recent swing high and a key resistance zone. A decisive break above that mark, especially if accompanied by continued ETF inflows, would signal strong momentum and open the door to further gains.

On the downside, the US$2.48T level, corresponding to the 38.2 per cent Fibonacci retracement, acts as critical support. A close below that threshold would suggest the rally is losing steam and could trigger a deeper pullback. Given the current correlation with equities, crypto traders must monitor both ETF flow reports and macroeconomic data releases, including the US EIA Petroleum Status Report and the 20-year bond auction, for clues on near-term direction.

I see a cautiously bullish setup with clear dependencies. The institutional bid via ETFs provides a solid floor, and the emerging regulatory framework reduces one of the largest uncertainties plaguing the sector. The tight link to traditional markets means crypto remains exposed to shifts in rate expectations, geopolitical shocks, and equity volatility.

The innovation exemption, if implemented with practical flexibility, could unlock a new wave of tokenisation activity, bringing real-world assets on-chain and deepening liquidity. But execution matters. If the final rules prove too restrictive, activity may continue migrating to more permissive jurisdictions.

For now, the confluence of steady ETF demand, clearer regulatory pathways, and strategic accumulation by large holders creates a supportive environment. The question is whether this foundation can withstand macro headwinds as the market tests the US$2.61T resistance. If ETF inflows persist and equities stabilise, the path toward higher valuations remains open. If not, the US$2.48T support will be the line in the sand that determines whether this rally extends or fades.

Investors should also monitor the confirmation hearing for Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh, as monetary policy expectations continue to shape risk appetite across asset classes. The market currently prices in a high probability of a rate cut by December 2026, though persistent energy-driven inflation may complicate this path.

Singapore’s March CPI data for general households, released today, adds another layer of global macro context. These fixed income and inflation signals feed directly into the liquidity narrative that underpins both equity and crypto valuations. When yields rise, as the 10-year Treasury note did to approximately 4.30 per cent on April 21, growth-sensitive assets often face pressure. Crypto’s 83 per cent correlation with the S&P 500 means it absorbs these crosscurrents quickly.

The regulatory framework’s 5-bucket taxonomy deserves closer attention because it draws a bright line between utility-focused tokens and security-like instruments. Most layer 1 protocols, DeFi projects, and payment tokens now have a clearer path to operate without triggering securities registration, provided they meet the stated criteria.

At the same time, the SEC is building a regulated home for tokenised stocks and bonds, which could attract traditional finance players who previously stayed on the sidelines. This dual-track approach recognises that crypto is not monolithic. Some tokens function as commodities, others like software tools, and a subset behaves like equity or debt. By sorting them accordingly, policymakers reduce the blanket uncertainty that has long suppressed institutional participation.

Whale accumulation patterns reinforce the constructive technical setup. The purchase of 35,000 ETH worth US$80M signals confidence among sophisticated holders who often move ahead of broader trends. When these actors add exposure during consolidation phases, they frequently anticipate a breakout.

Combined with daily ETF inflows of US$272.59M for Bitcoin and US$79.25M for Ethereum, the market enjoys a two-layered bid: one from regulated investment vehicles and another from private large-scale buyers. This dynamic does not guarantee uninterrupted gains, but it does raise the threshold for a meaningful correction. Sellers must overcome both institutional and whale demand to push prices lower, a task that becomes harder if macro conditions remain supportive.

 

 

Source: https://e27.co/why-institutional-money-is-buying-crypto-while-geopolitical-risks-mount-20260422/

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j