Bitcoin exhibited typical consolidation characteristics on January 9. After dipping to $89,262 in the morning, it quickly rebounded to a high of $91,445, then repeatedly oscillated around $91,200, with a relatively mild intraday decline of only 0.14%. However, behind this calm, there was turbulent undercurrent—total network contract liquidations within 24 hours reached $461 million, with over 127,700 traders facing liquidation. The proportion of long positions liquidated exceeded 90%, reflecting a highly divided market sentiment.



The shift in institutional attitude has become a key factor in suppressing prices. Over the past three days, 11 US-listed Bitcoin spot ETFs experienced a net outflow of $1.128 billion, essentially offsetting the $1.16 billion net inflow seen in the first two trading days of 2026. This clearly indicates a cautious stance among professional funds. From a stage high of $94,600 on Monday to around $90,000, this decline is driven by this wave of institutional de-risking.

However, positive signals are emerging from regulators. The South Korean government explicitly stated in the "2026 Economic Growth Strategy" that it will promote the implementation of Bitcoin and other digital asset spot ETFs this year. The Financial Committee will accelerate the legislative process for the second phase, and stablecoin regulation frameworks are also on the agenda. Meanwhile, US banks have approved their Merrill Private Bank and Merrill Edge financial advisors to proactively recommend spot Bitcoin ETFs, and approvals have been granted for four products including BlackRock and Fidelity. This marks Bitcoin's gradual integration into the traditional wealth management system.

Interestingly, Fidelity Digital Assets observed that Bitcoin's "realized volatility" has fallen to a historic low of 42%, whereas early-year annualized volatility for BTC often exceeded 100% or even 200%. Historical patterns suggest that such extremely low volatility often signals an impending price surge to new highs. This current low volatility may be setting the stage for the next upward wave.
BTC-0.48%
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AlwaysAnonvip
· 13h ago
Over 120,000 liquidation events, with over 90% of long positions wiped out... Is this called calm? That's hilarious. Institutions are fleeing, retail investors are getting slaughtered—classic scene. Both Korea and the US are paving the way, indicating that the big players have actually been watching for a long time. Now they are just accumulating. The volatility at 42%, a historic low, is quite interesting. It really feels like energy is being stored. Waiting for institutions to start flowing in; only then will they dare to go all in.
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quiet_lurkervip
· 13h ago
Institutions are running, retail investors are dying... These liquidation data are too shocking. --- Low volatility accumulation? I feel like it's the calm before the storm. --- Merrill recommends BTC ETF... Is this the final surrender of traditional finance? --- A fluctuation of over 90 points can wipe out 120,000 people? These leveraged players are really incredible. --- Both South Korea and the US are starting to embrace it. When will we? --- Wait, is 42% volatility really at a historic low? The data feels strange. --- Institutions have net outflows of 1.1 billion, no wonder the price is being suppressed... Should I buy now or wait? --- It's "accumulation" again and "pre-night signal," can we stop hyping it up? --- This move by Bank of America is probably the last step to absorb retail investors. --- Over 90% of long positions liquidated... The bulls have really been slaughtered.
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AirDropMissedvip
· 13h ago
Institutions are running, retail investors are dying, this is the current market situation. Liquidation of 461 million, over 120,000 people wiped out, these numbers sound painful. Both Korea and the US are pushing ETFs, it feels like big funds are preparing for the next wave, waiting for us to jump in. Is low volatility really an opportunity, or just another trap? Hard to say. Repetitively fluctuating between 90,000 and 91,000, I wish I had just stayed on the sidelines and watched. Institutions are reducing their positions so aggressively, are they waiting for even lower prices? Is entering now smart or suicidal? What do the veterans think?
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MetaverseVagabondvip
· 13h ago
Institutions are dumping, retail investors are still sleepwalking? This wave of momentum is really incredible --- 127,700 people liquidated, over 90% of longs dead, is this called calm? Laughing to death --- South Korea is about to launch a spot ETF, Merrill is also opening recommendations, regulators are really turning a corner --- Volatility dropped to 42%? That means... energy is fully charged and ready to take off --- Fell from 94,600 to 90,000, are institutions dumping or eating up the orders? I can't quite understand --- 127,700 people liquidated, how much money would that take to cover? Just thinking about it is terrifying --- Playing with contracts now is really a gamble against the market makers, just look at the liquidation data --- Traditional wealth management opening spot ETFs, now that's the real good news, retail investors are still chasing shorts --- Extremely low volatility is usually the night before a big move... I'm tired of hearing that, might as well predict the price directly --- Institutions net outflow of 1.128 billion, what does that mean? Big players are fleeing, the remaining retail investors are fighting among themselves
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staking_grampsvip
· 13h ago
Institutions are dumping, retail investors are getting liquidated, this is the current market situation. ----- Another 400 million in liquidation, how much have the retail investors been wiped out this time? ----- Low volatility is a sign of an upcoming surge? I feel like this is all just a routine. ----- U.S. banks are starting to recommend Bitcoin, what does that mean? Big players are about to take over. ----- Liquidation of 461 million, 90% are long positions... this data makes people uncomfortable. ----- Regulatory friendliness + institutional deployment, the next wave will definitely be fierce. ----- Volatility at 42%, a new historical low, it feels like either a big rise or a big fall, no middle ground. ----- Institutions net outflow of 1.1 billion, but it can still stay stable at 90,000. Is there anyone taking over later? ----- South Korea is also planning to launch a spot ETF, it seems the whole world is competing for the Bitcoin cake. ----- Behind the calm, 400 million in liquidation—this is the crypto world. If you want to enter, be mentally prepared.
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CounterIndicatorvip
· 13h ago
Institutions are again dumping before bottoming out; I've seen this move many times. 4.6 billion in liquidation, retail investors are being harvested again. Volatility drops to 42%... Isn't this just the calm before the storm? Breaking new highs is not far away. South Korea and the US are both relaxing regulations, traditional finance is also starting to embrace the crypto space. This time, it's really different. The price swings between 90,000 and 91,000 are a tug-of-war; institutions are testing the bottom. Should I buy now or wait? I'm a bit conflicted. Wait, a net outflow of 1.1 billion from institutions is actually a good sign? This logic seems a bit backwards.
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