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Bitcoin Falls to $79,100 as Liquidations Hit Thin Weekend Market
Why did Bitcoin fall below $80,000 this weekend?
Bitcoin (BTC) fell about 2% to a low of $79,146 on Saturday as forced liquidations hit a thin weekend market after the US cut staff at Middle East embassies.
Key numbers
| Weekend low | $79,146first dip under $80,000 since Oct. 15 |
|---|---|
| Liquidations (24 hours) | $810M+about $689M were long bets |
| US Bitcoin fund outflow, Oct. 22 | $635.5Mlargest since June (per [4]) |
| Bitcoin in October | -3.3%still +26.8% over 90 days (per [4]) |
| Sunday price | $80,936back above $80,000 |
What happened
Bitcoin (BTC) fell about 2% to a low of $79,146 on Saturday as forced liquidations hit a thin weekend market after the US cut staff at Middle East embassies. More than $810 million in crypto bets were wiped out in 24 hours, about $689 million of them bets that prices would rise (long positions). Money also left US Bitcoin funds, with about $635 million withdrawn on Oct. 22, the most since June. It was Bitcoin's first trade below $80,000 since Oct. 15, before a climb back to about $80,900 on Sunday.
Why it matters
Bitcoin's drop shows how fast crypto prices can swing on weekends, when stock and bond markets are closed and fewer people are trading. Bets made with borrowed money (leverage) are shut down automatically when prices fall, which can push prices lower still. Bitcoin is also reacting to Iran-related news, higher oil prices and worries about interest rates ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting.
Who this affects
- MarketbearishMedium impact
- Leveraged crypto traders lost money; other investors watch the risk mood.
- CompanymixedMedium impact
- Bitcoin holders saw a weekend dip, then a partial recovery.
- CompetitorsbearishMedium impact
- Ether and Solana fell much more than Bitcoin in October.
- IndustrybearishLow impact
- Crypto firms face fund outflows and shakier investor confidence.
Bitcoin vs Ether, Solana
How we got here
US orders non-essential staff to leave Saudi Arabia; Bitcoin ETFs take in $528M.
US Bitcoin funds see $635.5M net outflows, the largest since June.
US cuts staff at four Middle East embassies; Bitcoin hits $79,146 as longs are liquidated.
Bitcoin recovers to about $80,900, ahead of the Fed meeting.
What to watch
- Federal Reserve interest-rate decision, expected to guide risk appetite across crypto.2026-10-28
- Whether Bitcoin holds $80,000 or slips toward $77,600 support.2026-10-26
- Further US staff reductions or Iran-related developments in the Middle East.2026-10-26
Educational content only. Not investment advice.
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