Bitcoin and Global Cryptocurrency Markets Retreat with U.S. Equity Benchmarks Amid Bearish Sentiment
Bitcoin and global cryptocurrency markets retreated in tandem with U.S. equity benchmarks on Tuesday, as bearish sentiment gripped financial markets. The digital asset ecosystem contracted by 1.89% over 24 hours, slipping to $2.67 trillion, with BTC briefly dipping to $81,138 during trading hours.
Bitcoin Battles Bears: $224M Liquidation Frenzy Erupts Amid Fed Policy Jitters
A crimson tide engulfed digital asset markets as every top-ten cryptocurrency faced downward pressure. Bitcoin (BTC) retreated 1.84% by midday, brushing against $81,138 at 11 a.m. ET on March 18. DOGE and ADA led declines among major tokens, shedding 4.42% and 4.16%, respectively, while XRP fell 3.7% and Solana (SOL) slipped 3.5%. 
March 18, 2025
U.S. equities—including the Nasdaq, NYSE, Dow Jones, and S&P 500—similarly faltered. Investors grappled with multiple headwinds: anxiety over potential economic contraction, renewed geopolitical trade tensions, and anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s policy verdict due March 19 at 2 p.m. ET, concluding its two-day convening. 
March 18, 2025
BTC’s midday rebound saw it oscillate near $82,000 by 11:45 a.m. ET, following reports of a Hyperliquid whale’s speculative maneuvers. Despite initial losses from a 40x leveraged short position highlighted by News, the entity ultimately netted over $9 million. By Tuesday, the same trader held a 5x leveraged long on MELANIA, a meme-inspired token.
Volatility erased $224.5 million from derivatives positions before noon, with $145.86 million stemming from bullish bets. BTC longs accounted for $45.83 million of losses, while Ethereum (ETH) derivatives traders saw $24.96 million vanish. Some 111,642 traders faced liquidations, topped by a $2.18 million BTC futures position on Binance. By 12 p.m., BTC had been struggling below the $82,000 zone.
