Bitcoin Falls to $81,605 as Hot CPI Coincides With $455 Million in Liquidations

Bitcoin (BTC) fell 2.19% over 24 hours to $81,605, while Ether (ETH) dropped 3.93% to $2,412 as September U.S. inflation came in hotter than expected. Crypto markets recorded $455 million in liquidations over the same period.

The consumer price index rose 3.7% from a year earlier, above the 3.6% forecast and August’s 3.4% rate. Monthly inflation was 0.6%, matching expectations. Core CPI rose 2.6% year over year and 0.3% from the prior month, both above forecasts.

Long positions made up $398 million of the liquidations, or 87.5% of the total; short positions accounted for $56.63 million. About 109,593 traders were liquidated. Ether positions accounted for $80.21 million in liquidations, compared with $78.3 million for Bitcoin.

The Fear and Greed Index fell from 62 to 53, entering neutral territory and reaching its lowest reading in eight days.