Bitcoin Slides to $84K as Markets Sink in Broad Sell-Off

Bitcoin dropped more than 5% today down to $84,672 as a widespread risk-off move hit global financial markets. The leading cryptocurrency declined alongside major U.S. equities, technology stocks, and precious metals in a synchronized sell-off that caught many investors off guard. Traditional safe-haven assets and growth-oriented investments both faced heavy selling pressure today.

U.S. stock indexes opened sharply lower, with the S&P 500 falling over 1% and the Nasdaq Composite sliding more than 1.8%. Microsoft shares plunged about 11% after the company released its latest earnings report, pulling the broader technology sector down with it. Other prominent tech names including Tesla, Google, and Nvidia recorded declines ranging from 1.5% to roughly 2.5%.

Precious metals, often viewed as hedges during uncertain times, also came under intense pressure. Gold, which had briefly topped $5,500 earlier in the week to set a new record high, reversed course and dropped nearly 5% to around $5,100. Silver fared worse, declining about 10 percent as investors reduced exposure across multiple asset classes simultaneously.

Market Sees Sharp Liquidations

The downturn in traditional markets quickly spread to digital assets, where leverage amplified the price swings. Bitcoin’s fall triggered a wave of forced position closures across the crypto ecosystem. Coinglass data showed more than $360 million in liquidations in a single hour, with long positions accounting for approximately $350 million of that total.

Over the preceding 24 hours, total liquidations across cryptocurrencies approached $700 million. The vast majority targeted traders who had bet on further price increases. This cascade of selling added downward pressure on an already weakening market.

Major alternative cryptocurrencies followed Bitcoin. Ethereum declined about 6% to trade near $2,800. Solana dropped roughly 5% to around $118, demonstrating the connected nature of digital asset pricing during periods of broad risk aversion.

Cryptocurrencies have increasingly moved in line with traditional risk assets during sharp market shifts. The simultaneous retreat from gold, technology stocks, and equities created an environment where few assets were spared. Traders who had maintained highly leveraged positions faced the steepest consequences as prices moved rapidly against them.