Markets Share Share this article Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail Silver's 35% plunge ends up beating bitcoin Markets Share Share this article Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail Silver's 35% plunge ends up beating bitcoin

Silver's 35% plunge ends up beating bitcoin in a rare crypto liquidation shock

4 min read
Share
Share this article
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail

Silver's 35% plunge ends up beating bitcoin in a rare crypto liquidation shock

Tokenized silver futures recorded the largest liquidations across crypto markets over the past 24 hours, overtaking bitcoin and ether as a sharp pullback in metals collided with leverage-heavy trading on crypto venues.

By Shaurya Malwa
Jan 31, 2026, 7:47 a.m.
Make us preferred on Google

What to know:

  • Tokenized silver futures led crypto-market liquidations over the past 24 hours, with about $142 million wiped out, surpassing bitcoin and ether as a metals sell-off hit commodities-based crypto products.
  • The shakeout followed a sharp reversal in silver prices, a steep cut in hedge funds’ bullish silver bets, and CME Group’s move to raise margin requirements on gold and silver futures by up to 50 percent.
  • The episode underscores how crypto venues are increasingly serving as macro trading rails, with traders using tokenized instruments to express views on commodities rather than focusing solely on core digital assets like bitcoin and ether.

Tokenized silver futures recorded the largest liquidations across the crypto market over the past 24 hours, overtaking bitcoin and ether in a rare reversal of the usual risk hierarchy as a pullback in precious metals spilled into commodities-based crypto futures.

According to CoinGlass data, 129,117 traders were liquidated in the past day, with total losses reaching $543.9 million.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Sign me up

Tokenized silver contracts led the wipeout, with roughly $142 million in liquidations tied to products tracking silver prices. Bitcoin followed with about $82 million, while ether saw nearly $139 million.

The largest single liquidation order during the period occurred on Hyperliquid, where a leveraged XYZ:SILVER-USD position worth $18.1 million was forcibly closed as prices swung sharply.

The move marks an unusual moment for crypto markets, where bitcoin and ether typically dominate liquidation tables. This time, traders using crypto rails to express macro views on metals bore the brunt of the damage.

Silver prices have been under pressure after an extraordinary rally earlier this month gave way to sharp reversals.

Hedge funds and large speculators cut bullish silver positions to a 23-month low in the week ending Jan. 27, U.S. government data showed Friday, reducing net-long exposure by 36%.

That pullback accelerated after exchanges moved to cool volatility.

CME Group said it would raise margin requirements on gold and silver futures starting Monday, lifting collateral demands by as much as 50% for some silver contracts. Higher margins tend to force leveraged traders to either add capital or exit positions, often amplifying short-term price swings.

Tokenized metals, which allow traders to gain leveraged exposure to gold, silver, and copper without using traditional futures accounts, saw heavy activity on Friday as prices turned lower. These products trade around the clock and require less upfront capital, making them attractive during fast-moving macro shifts.

Bitcoin’s presence lower on the liquidation list is notable.

While BTC prices also fell over the period, the damage was more muted compared to metals-linked products. Ether followed a similar pattern, with liquidations reflecting broader risk-off sentiment rather than a single dominant unwind.

The moves show how crypto venues are increasingly used as alternative macro trading rails. Traders are not just speculating on digital assets but are expressing views on commodities, rates, and currencies using tokenized instruments that mirror traditional markets.

Whether metals stabilize or continue to unwind may determine if tokenized commodities remain the focal point, or if crypto’s attention snaps back to its usual core assets.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Tropical Storm Basyang expected to drench Caraga, Northern Mindanao

Tropical Storm Basyang expected to drench Caraga, Northern Mindanao

Moderate to torrential rain from Tropical Storm Basyang (Penha) is expected to cause floods and landslides, with Caraga and Northern Mindanao likely to see the
Share
Rappler2026/02/05 12:40
Hoskinson to Attend Senate Roundtable on Crypto Regulation

Hoskinson to Attend Senate Roundtable on Crypto Regulation

The post Hoskinson to Attend Senate Roundtable on Crypto Regulation appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Hoskinson confirmed for Senate roundtable on U.S. crypto regulation and market structure. Key topics include SEC vs CFTC oversight split, DeFi regulation, and securities rules. Critics call the roundtable slow, citing Trump’s 2025 executive order as faster. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has confirmed that he will attend the Senate Banking Committee roundtable on crypto market structure legislation.  Hoskinson left a hint about his attendance on X while highlighting Journalist Eleanor Terrett’s latest post about the event. Crypto insiders will meet with government officials Terrett shared information gathered from some invitees to the event, noting that a group of leaders from several major cryptocurrency establishments would attend the event. According to Terrett, the group will meet with the Senate Banking Committee leadership in a roundtable to continue talks on market structure regulation. Meanwhile, Terrett noted that the meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, following an industry review of the committee’s latest approach to distinguishing securities from commodities, DeFi treatment, and other key issues, which has lasted over one week.  Related: Senate Draft Bill Gains Experts’ Praise for Strongest Developer Protections in Crypto Law Notably, the upcoming roundtable between US legislators and crypto industry leaders is a continuation of the process of regularising cryptocurrency regulation in the United States. It is part of the Donald Trump administration’s efforts to provide clarity in the US cryptocurrency ecosystem, which many crypto supporters consider a necessity for the digital asset industry. Despite the ongoing process, some crypto users are unsatisfied with how the US government is handling the issue, particularly the level of bureaucracy involved in creating a lasting cryptocurrency regulatory framework. One such user criticized the process, describing it as a “masterclass in bureaucratic foot-dragging.” According to the critic, America is losing ground to nations already leading in blockchain innovation. He cited…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 06:37
Your money, your move: Engage in your financial future

Your money, your move: Engage in your financial future

Five platitudes you should never simply accept from your financial advisor. The post Your money, your move: Engage in your financial future appeared first on MoneySense
Share
Moneysense2026/02/05 12:00