Crypto Long Positions Hit Hard as They Account for 89% of Monday’s $658M Liquidation Wave
May 18, 2026, 02:47 UTC — The cryptocurrency market faced a significant shakeup on Monday as long positions dominated the liquidation scene, with $584 million wiped out across roughly 106,371 traders in a 24-hour sell-off. This sharp downturn was propelled by declining prices in major digital assets amid heightened geopolitical tensions, marking a day of heavy losses for bullish traders.
Ethereum and Bitcoin Lead Liquidations
Data from Coinglass reveals that long positions bore the brunt of Monday’s liquidations, accounting for about 89% of the total $657.9 million lost over the past day. Shorts were comparatively less affected, losing approximately $73.52 million, highlighting a predominantly one-sided flush of leveraged bulls.
Ethereum (ETH) was the hardest hit, with $256.83 million in long positions liquidated, making it the largest contributor to the day’s losses. Bitcoin (BTC) followed closely with $180.89 million wiped out. Combined, these two major cryptocurrencies represented about two-thirds of total liquidations, underlining the vulnerability of even the most established digital assets during market distress.
Notably, the single largest liquidation order was recorded on the Bitget exchange—a $28.49 million Ethereum/USDT perpetual contract was closed out, marking a dramatic moment in the ongoing market retracement.
Market Sentiment Turns Risk-Off Amid Geopolitical Concerns
Monday’s liquidation surge coincided with a broader risk-off sentiment that permeated the crypto space and financial markets in general. This cautious mood was largely triggered by statements from former President Donald Trump, who warned of possible U.S. military strikes against Iran, heightening fears of geopolitical escalation.
Crypto markets reflected these concerns with a market capitalization decline of approximately 0.93%, sliding down to around $2.65 trillion. Bitcoin’s price dropped below the $77,000 level, extending weekly losses to 5.59%. Ethereum slipped under $2,120, suffering a near 10% decline over the week. Among altcoins, Solana (SOL) led the downturn, plunging 11.22% to $84.94 within seven days.
Trump is expected to convene a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to explore potential military options targeting Iran. Market watchers are bracing for additional volatility; any escalation could further pressure leveraged crypto positions and deepen liquidations.
What This Means for Crypto Traders
The mass liquidation predominantly affecting long traders signals the importance of caution during times of geopolitical uncertainty. Leveraged positions, especially longs on volatile assets like Ethereum and Bitcoin, remain vulnerable to sudden directional shifts triggered by external events.
As Bitcoin and Ethereum prices experienced notable corrections, traders and investors alike are reminded of the inherent risks in a market often influenced by global political developments and sentiment swings.
For those interested in staying ahead of crypto market dynamics, monitoring geopolitical news alongside technical and on-chain data remains crucial. The recent liquidation wave serves as a potent reminder of how quickly risk appetite can change in the crypto sphere.
BeInCrypto is committed to delivering transparent, unbiased reporting. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently and seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Related Topics:
- Ethereum (ETH) Market Trends
- Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis
- Crypto Liquidation Dynamics
- Geopolitical Impact on Cryptocurrency
- Leveraged Trading Risks
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