BTC 15-minute sharp decline of 1.75%: Large institutional sell-offs and long liquidation resonate, intensifying volatility

On April 12, 2026, from 01:30 to 01:45 (UTC), the price of BTC rapidly declined, with a return of -1.75%, short-term volatility reaching 2.00%, and the price range between 71,560.0 and 73,017.1 USDT. This abnormal movement occurred amid a surge in trading volume and a noticeable increase in market attention, with heightened volatility prompting widespread caution among traders.

The main driver of this abnormal movement was large-scale sell-offs by institutions or major investors on the blockchain, with significant BTC transfers to mainstream exchange hot wallets. Within a short period, spot and derivatives trading volumes increased by approximately 30%. The active selling pressure caused temporary liquidity stress, leading to a rapid price decline. Simultaneously, the price drop triggered forced liquidation of leveraged long positions, with futures market data showing long positions decreased by about 15%, and short positions increased by roughly 10%. Contract liquidations reached 2.5 times the average, creating a positive feedback loop of “sell—drop—liquidate—sell again,” accelerating the downward price movement.

Additionally, on-chain fund flow monitoring indicated a significant outflow of BTC, with some funds shifting into stablecoins (such as USDT, USDC) and other major cryptocurrencies, reflecting increased risk-avoidance sentiment among market participants. High-frequency trading accounts and large addresses concentrated on selling, combined with changes in leveraged positions and risk-averse fund transfers, amplified this market volatility. Data showing outflows from on-chain and derivatives markets, along with surging trading volumes, further highlight short-term risks.

Currently, market liquidity risk has increased, with mounting pressure on leveraged long liquidations, and clear signs of fund outflows and risk aversion. It is recommended to closely monitor BTC’s subsequent trading volume, on-chain fund flows, and contract position changes. Short-term volatility may continue to expand, so investors should pay attention to key support levels, market depth, and liquidation indicators. For more real-time market updates, please stay tuned to live market data.