Crypto Long Liquidations Hit $178 Million Within an Hour of October CPI

Exchanges closed about $178 million in leveraged crypto long positions within an hour of Tuesday’s October inflation release, as Bitcoin (BTC) fell below $74,000.

The U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in October from September, exceeding the 0.3% forecast. Core prices, which exclude food and energy, climbed 0.3% against a 0.2% estimate. Both monthly readings came in higher than expected.

The liquidation tally covers long positions across crypto, not just Bitcoin. A long trade is a bet on higher prices. When a leveraged trade loses too much value, an exchange can close it because the trader’s collateral no longer covers the position. A wave of forced closures can add pressure during a sudden decline.

The October report did not include year-over-year inflation figures because a 2025 government shutdown disrupted data collection. That left the monthly readings to shape the immediate market response. Stronger inflation can shift expectations for Federal Reserve interest rates, making the U.S. data release consequential for crypto traders.