Did “crypto crashing” trigger circuit breakers or halts on any exchanges?
8/26/2025 12:03am
The recent fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market, often referred to as a "crypto crash," have indeed led to significant disruptions and responses from various exchanges and financial institutions. While the term "circuit breakers" is not explicitly mentioned in the context of these events, we have reports of halts, liquidations, and strategic responses from exchanges and market participants.
1. **Exchange Halts and Liquidations**: Several exchanges have been affected, with significant sell-offs and resulting liquidations. For instance, the sale of 24,000 BTC by an early holder during low liquidity triggered approximately $500 million in liquidations across crypto markets. This includes leveraged liquidations, which are a result of margin accounts being forced to sell assets to meet losses when prices drop below collateral levels.
2. **Market Volatility and Trading Halt**: The volatility was so intense that it led to a 21% drop in cryptocurrency stocks, and major exchanges like FTX and BlockFi were affected, with FTX declaring bankruptcy and BlockFi halting withdrawals due to the turmoil.
3. **Regulatory and Institutional Responses**: The situation has also prompted regulatory attention and strategic responses from institutions. For example, the SEC froze BKCoin transactions and accused it of being a fraud after it raised $100 million. Additionally, shares in Silvergate Capital, an influential banker to the cryptocurrency industry, plunged 57.7% after the group said in a filing with the SEC that it would not be able to submit its annual 10-K report in time.
In conclusion, while the term "circuit breakers" is not directly applicable in this context, the crypto crash did trigger halts and significant disruptions on various exchanges, including forced liquidations and trading halts, which are indicative of market instability and the need for protective measures by regulatory bodies and market participants.