Binance Faces Blame for Bitcoin's $19 Billion Crash Fallout
By John Nada·Feb 1, 2026·2 min read
The crypto community is reeling from a $19 billion liquidity wipeout linked to Binance, stirring distrust and scrutiny over the market's structural vulnerabilities.
The crypto community is grappling with the aftermath of a staggering $19 billion liquidity wipeout on October 10, leaving traders frustrated and divided over Binance's role. According to CoinDesk, the crash, marked by a rapid series of liquidations, saw Bitcoin tumble as much as 12.5%, the largest single-day drop in over a year. Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, has become synonymous with this event. While it claims that the closures weren't its fault, the lack of transparency has fueled speculation and distrust among traders.
In the months following the crash, liquidity remains thin, with market depth failing to recover. Many traders attribute Bitcoin's decline from $124,800 to $80,000 to this weakened market structure. Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood recently suggested that a software glitch at Binance triggered $28 billion in deleveraging, further intensifying scrutiny on the exchange. Notably, Binance maintains that the event was driven by external market factors, such as macroeconomic pressures and high leverage.
Critics argue that the absence of a detailed inquiry into the Oct. 10 events allows for ongoing speculation. Former CFTC regulator Salman Banaei called for an investigation, likening it to the significant stock market flash crash of 2010. This highlights a broader concern: the necessity for regulatory oversight in crypto markets, especially following systemic shocks.
Despite the blame placed on Binance, some experts emphasize that the underlying issue is the structural dependency on leverage and the inherent fragility of liquidity in crypto markets. The Oct. 10 crash serves as a stark reminder that without trust and transparency, market confidence can quickly erode. In this volatile landscape, the lessons learned may shape the future of crypto trading.
