Binance Sees $190M Bitcoin Short Liquidations as Post-ETF Rally Defies Bearish Bets
Bitcoin’s relentless rally following the approval of spot ETFs has triggered massive short liquidations on Binance, with bearish traders suffering $190 million more in losses than long positions since the SEC’s greenlight in early 2024. CryptoQuant analyst Joao Wedson highlights how the market underestimated BTC’s sustained upward momentum, leaving altcoins struggling to keep pace. As Bitcoin consolidates its dominance, the data reveals a stark reckoning for those betting against the crypto giant.
Bitcoin’s Post-ETF Rally Triggers Massive Short Liquidations, Altcoins Struggle
Bitcoin’s relentless rally following the approval of spot ETFs has forced bearish traders into a painful reckoning. Short liquidations on Binance have outpaced long liquidations by $190 million since the SEC greenlighted the funds in early 2024, according to CryptoQuant analyst Joao Wedson. The data underscores a market caught off guard by BTC’s sustained upward momentum.
While Bitcoin consolidates its dominance, altcoins tell a different story. The broader crypto market has failed to mirror BTC’s institutional-driven performance, leaving bullish altcoin traders trapped in underperforming positions. This divergence highlights the growing chasm between Bitcoin’s store-of-value narrative and the speculative nature of smaller digital assets.
Binance’s CZ-Inspired TST Token Crashes After Whale Dumps Nearly $7 Million
Test Token (TST), a meme coin initially created as a demonstration project, faced a dramatic price collapse after a single whale offloaded $6-7 million worth of holdings. The sell-off triggered an 800% surge in trading volume within 24 hours, with Binance’s spot and futures markets absorbing most of the pressure. TST’s market capitalization plummeted by $20 million in moments.
Speculation ran rampant on social media, with unsubstantiated accusations pointing to Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao or other insiders. The whale’s identity remains unknown, but their holdings represented over 10% of TST’s $55 million market cap—raising questions about distribution and concentration risks in meme coins.
The incident underscores the fragility of low-liquidity assets. While TST’s origins were pedagogical, its adoption as a speculative vehicle left traders exposed to abrupt volatility. Finger-pointing among supporters highlights the tension between decentralization ideals and the reality of whale dominance in micro-cap tokens.
PEPE Whales Trigger Bearish Sentiment Amid Price Decline
Pepe (PEPE) faces mounting bearish pressure as whales offload billions of tokens, sparking fears of a 15% price collapse. The memecoin’s breakdown from an ascending triangle pattern has intensified downside momentum, with key liquidation levels at $0.00001259 and $0.00001351.
A single whale dumped 502.5 billion Pepe ($6.47 million) on Binance, locking in $7.47 million profits from April/May 2025 accumulation. Despite retaining 497.5 billion tokens ($6.41 million), the move coincided with PEPE’s technical breakdown and 11% daily drop.
Trading volume plunged 15% as market participants retreated, leaving PEPE teetering NEAR $0.0000128. Chart analysis suggests the downtrend may accelerate toward $0.0000111 unless buying pressure resurfaces.
Bitcoin Retreats from Record High as ETF-Driven Liquidation Trends Emerge
Bitcoin’s rally stalled after touching an unprecedented $111,000 last week, with prices retreating 4% to $105,485 amid broader market caution. The pullback reflects profit-taking behavior and shifting sentiment following the cryptocurrency’s parabolic ascent.
Binance liquidation data reveals a striking divergence between BTC and altcoins since the spot ETF launch. Short positions accounted for nearly $190 million more liquidations than longs in bitcoin markets—evidence of systematic unwinding by bears during the asset’s climb. This ETF-induced dynamic has yet to manifest similarly in altcoin markets.
Analysts note the liquidation disparity underscores Bitcoin’s maturation as an institutional asset. Where altcoins traditionally exhibited higher volatility, BTC now demonstrates unique price discovery mechanisms through regulated investment vehicles. The market appears to be entering a new phase of bifurcated behavior between the flagship cryptocurrency and speculative alternatives.
Ethereum Faces Correction as Whale Activity and On-Chain Signals Raise Concerns
Ethereum’s price has retreated to $2,621, marking a 3.2% decline amid broader market volatility triggered by geopolitical developments. The asset remains up 45% over the past month, but recent on-chain activity suggests potential headwinds.
A CryptoQuant analyst flagged a 385,000 ETH inflow to Binance—one of the largest exchange deposits in months—as traders appear to be taking profits. This coincides with Bitcoin’s NUPL metric reaching levels historically associated with market cooling periods.
While short-term weakness reflects reaction to Trump-era tariff reinstatements, the scale of exchange inflows introduces uncertainty about Ethereum’s near-term trajectory. The movements suggest whales may be preparing to liquidate positions, creating downward pressure.
Binance Japan Secures International Security Certifications
Binance Japan has achieved ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 certifications from the British Standards Institution, marking a significant advancement in its cybersecurity and data privacy protocols. These globally recognized standards underscore the exchange’s rigorous operational controls and governance framework.
Takeshi Chino, General Manager of Binance Japan, reiterated the platform’s commitment to maintaining trust through unwavering transparency and security measures. The certifications position Binance as a leader in compliance among digital asset exchanges operating in Japan’s regulated market.
