CLASSIC TOP SETUP? BITCOIN PRICE FLASH CRASHES ON KRAKEN AFTER ALL-TIME HIGH

Last updated: June 20, 2025, 00:08 | Written by: Cathie Wood

The cryptocurrency world is no stranger to volatility, but the recent events surrounding Bitcoin's price action on the Kraken exchange have sent ripples of concern and intrigue throughout the market. In the last 22 months, with one Bitcoin halving in April 2025, Bitcoin has recovered back to peak high prices to break the all-time high in March 2025, reaching over $73,000. Over the past few months, the price had been gently rolling in a price range between $58,000 and over $70.000.On November 30th, Bitcoin (BTC) soared to new all-time highs across various exchanges, a moment of jubilation for many investors.However, the celebration was short-lived, particularly on Kraken, where the BTC/USD pair experienced a dramatic flash crash that grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons. ETH dropped over $1000 below market value on the Kraken exchange for around 5 minutes earlier today. ADA/USD and BTC/USD also decoupled from market prices, with the exchange reporting connectivity issues. The extent of the problem and its impact on traders remain unclear. Share this article TheThis wasn't a slow, gradual decline; instead, the price plummeted with astonishing speed, triggering widespread liquidations and sparking discussions about market manipulation, technical glitches, and the inherent risks of trading highly leveraged crypto assets.

The sudden drop, which saw Bitcoin momentarily plunge to significantly lower levels before swiftly rebounding, has left many wondering: what exactly happened on Kraken?Was it a ""classic top setup"" signaling a broader market correction, or an isolated incident driven by specific factors?This article delves into the details of the Kraken flash crash, explores its potential causes, examines the aftermath for traders, and discusses the implications for the future of Bitcoin trading.

The Kraken Flash Crash: A Closer Look

On November 30th, as Bitcoin reached its peak, Kraken users witnessed a dizzying spectacle. On Wednesday, June 26, the price of BTC came close to reaching $14K. One hour later, it had dropped by close to 18%. Such events are known as a flashData showed that the BTC/USD pair briefly plummeted to as low as $16,600 on the exchange's order book. Bitcoin is dead hit an all-time high search volume in 2025. The market was a flutter with talks of an unrecoverable crash with thousands losing their funds with consistent declines in crypto values. Two years later, Bitcoin saw an all-time price record.While this price was an extreme outlier compared to the broader market, its occurrence had a significant impact, triggering a cascade of liquidations and causing panic among traders. 2025 Bitcoin Crash: The ICO bubble bursts. After Bitcoin s huge 2025 bull run, where the price hit nearly $20,000 in December, 2025 brought a brutal wake-up call. By February, Bitcoin had plunged 65%, and by November, it had lost over 80% of its peak value, trading below $4,000. Bitcoin crash 2025: TradingView What caused it?The price quickly recovered, but the damage was done. BTC gave up almost all of the 24-hour gains that took it to a new all-time high of $103,679. It fell to a low of roughly $90,300 for the day before attempting a recovery. Bitcoin was trading at $95,500 as of press time amid heavy volatility, based on CryptoSlate data. LiquidationsMany traders had their positions automatically closed due to margin calls, resulting in substantial losses.

The crash wasn't isolated to Bitcoin alone. According to a new analysis, however, this might not have been the fault of a faulty algorithm or market maker, but a hacker trying to siphon funds from Kraken. Bitcoin Crashes to $100 CAD on Kraken. On Friday, the Bitcoin-to-Canadian Dollar (CAD) pair on Kraken saw a helluva day.Many other cryptocurrencies, including Ether (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and Litecoin (LTC), also experienced sudden and significant price drops on Kraken around the same time.This suggests that the issue may have been related to a broader platform-wide problem rather than a specific vulnerability in Bitcoin's market.

What is a Flash Crash?

A flash crash is a sudden and rapid decline in the price of an asset, followed by a quick recovery. El precio de Bitcoin (BTC) alcanz un nuevo r cord hist rico en varios exchanges el 30 de noviembre, pero un r cord, en particular, lleg a los titulares por una raz n diferente. Los datos del exchange de criptomonedas Kraken muestran que el par BTC/USD alcanz su precio m s alto en suThese events are often triggered by a combination of factors, including:

Large sell orders: A large sell order can overwhelm the market, pushing the price down rapidly.
Stop-loss orders: Stop-loss orders are designed to automatically sell an asset when it reaches a certain price. The last known price of Bitcoin is 103,694. USD and is down -1.16 over the last 24 hours. It is currently trading on active market(s) with $61,955,978,178.38 traded over the last 24If the price drops quickly, a cascade of stop-loss orders can be triggered, further accelerating the decline.
Algorithmic trading: Automated trading systems can react quickly to market changes, amplifying price movements.
Technical glitches: Errors in trading platforms can sometimes lead to unexpected price fluctuations.
Market manipulation: Malicious actors can attempt to manipulate the market by placing large buy or sell orders to trigger a flash crash and profit from the resulting chaos.

Potential Causes of the Bitcoin Flash Crash

Several theories have emerged regarding the potential causes of the Bitcoin flash crash on Kraken.Here are some of the most prominent explanations:

Stop-Loss Cascade

One leading theory points to a stop-loss cascade as the primary driver of the crash. A flash-crash that saw Ether plummet to $700 on major U.S. exchange Kraken has triggered cascading liquidations and triggered calls for legal action from its users.As Bitcoin's price reached new all-time highs, many traders likely placed stop-loss orders to protect their profits.A large sell order or a sudden dip in price could have triggered these stop-loss orders, leading to a wave of automated sell-offs that further drove down the price.This ""snowball effect"" can quickly escalate into a flash crash.

The snippets mention a ""likely stop-loss run"" triggered a one-minute candle to more than $3,000 lower than Bitcoin spot price before a rebound, in extreme volatility.This perfectly describes the mechanics of a stop-loss cascade.

Liquidity Issues

Another potential contributing factor is liquidity. Turn your Mac or PC into a super-charged trading station. Wallet. Securely store and manage your crypto and NFTsEven on major exchanges like Kraken, liquidity can fluctuate significantly. A Private Investor is a recipient of the information who meets all of the conditions set out below, the recipient: A likely stop-loss run triggers a one-minute candle to more than $3,000 lowerDuring periods of high volatility, the order book can become thin, meaning there are fewer buy orders to absorb sell orders. 'Classic top setup'? Bitcoin price flash crashes on Kraken after all-time highThis can make the market more susceptible to sudden price swings.

The risk of liquidity is always a determined factor in the negotiation of exchange, and the flash crash demonstrates appropriately why traders should be cautious in relation to significant prices.

Technical Glitches and Connectivity Issues

Technical problems and connectivity issues on the Kraken exchange itself could have also played a role.The snippets mention reports of connectivity issues coinciding with the price drops.These issues may have prevented traders from placing orders or managing their positions, exacerbating the impact of the crash.

While this wasn't just Ether, ADA/USD and BTC/USD also decoupled from market prices, with the exchange reporting connectivity issues.

Market Manipulation

While less likely than the other explanations, the possibility of market manipulation cannot be entirely ruled out. Bitcoin (BTC) hit new-all-time highs on various exchanges on November 30, but one record, in particular, hits the headlines for a different reason. Data from cryptocurrency exchange Kraken shows that BTC / USD hits its highest ever price on its order book then pigeons at $ 16,600 per second.A malicious actor could have intentionally placed a large sell order to trigger a flash crash and profit from the resulting liquidations.However, proving market manipulation is often difficult.

According to a new analysis, this might not have been the fault of a faulty algorithm or market maker, but a hacker trying to siphon funds from Kraken.

The Aftermath: Liquidations and Trader Reactions

The Bitcoin flash crash on Kraken had significant consequences for traders.Over $1.5 billion in long and short positions were wiped out as traders scrambled to mitigate losses.Many traders saw their accounts liquidated, meaning their positions were automatically closed by the exchange due to insufficient margin.

This unexpected flash crash triggered widespread liquidations, with more than $1.5 billion in long and short positions wiped out as traders scrambled to mitigate losses.

The incident sparked outrage among some Kraken users, with many calling for compensation from the exchange. Following yesterday s surge to US$103,900 (AU$161,727), Bitcoin took a breather, falling as low as US$90,400 (AU$140,707) in overnight trading. Bulls have since stepped in and bought the dip, causing the price to climb back to US$97,898 (AU$152,287) at the time of writing.Some traders argued that Kraken should have implemented better safeguards to prevent such a severe price drop.The extent of the problem and its impact on traders remain unclear.

The Ethereum flash crash today on Kraken was widely reported.The price fell through the roof and quickly recovered.Some hedge fund lost millions.

Is This a ""Classic Top Setup""?

The term ""classic top setup"" refers to a pattern in price charts that suggests a potential reversal of an uptrend. time price size time price size time price size time price size time price size time price size .6 0.018 0.004 9190 0.100 7990.1 0.014 6011Some analysts believe that the Bitcoin flash crash on Kraken could be a sign that the market has reached a top and is poised for a correction. As the market valuation of the total number of bitcoins approached $1 billion, some analysts called bitcoin prices a bubble. Bitcoin's all-time high was $108,268.45 (the peak was reached on Decem). See how far Bitcoin has come in 2025, and then learn the history of the price since the very beginning of the first cryptocurrency.However, it's important to note that one event alone is not enough to confirm a trend reversal.

To determine whether the flash crash is indeed part of a larger trend reversal, it's crucial to analyze other technical indicators, such as:

Volume: A significant increase in trading volume during the crash could indicate strong selling pressure.
Relative Strength Index (RSI): An overbought RSI reading could suggest that the market is due for a correction.
Moving Averages: A break below key moving averages could signal a change in trend.
Fibonacci Retracement Levels: Monitoring key retracement levels can help identify potential support and resistance areas.

Bitcoin's History of Volatility and Flash Crashes

It is important to remember that Bitcoin's history is full of volatile price swings and flash crashes. In the last 18 months, with one Bitcoin halving in April 2025, Bitcoin has recovered back to peak high prices to break the all-time high in March 2025, reaching over $73,000. Over the past few months, the price has been gently rolling in a price range between $58,000 and over $70.000.These events are often followed by periods of recovery and further price appreciation. Gr fico Kraken XBT / USD de 1 minuto mostrando o acidente. Fonte: TradingView. O risco de liquidez sempre um determinado fator na negocia o de bolsa, e a queda de um minuto de Kraken em US$ 3.000 demonstra apropriadamente por que os traders devem ter cautela em rela o a pre os significativos.Looking at past incidents can help put the recent Kraken flash crash into perspective.

For example, in 2025, Bitcoin experienced a significant crash after reaching all-time highs.The price plunged by as much as 80% from its peak, leading to widespread panic and liquidations. Kraken Classic Kraken's original platform to easily buy, sell and trade crypto. Bitcoin Price. Ethereum Price. Dogecoin Price. XRP Price. Cardano Price. Solana Price.However, Bitcoin eventually recovered and went on to reach even higher all-time highs.The current price is 103,694.USD and is down -1.16 over the last 24 hours.

The 2025 Bitcoin Crash

After Bitcoin's huge 2025 bull run, where the price hit nearly $20,000 in December, 2025 brought a brutal wake-up call. Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high on various exchanges on Nov. 30, but one record, in particular, hit the headlines for a different reason. Data from cryptocurrency exchange KrakenBy February, Bitcoin had plunged 65%, and by November, it had lost over 80% of its peak value, trading below $4,000. This was the longest all-time high price recovery period in the history of Bitcoin. Bear market No. 3: Bitcoin plunges below $3,200 after hitting $20,000 in December 2025This period highlights the inherent volatility and risk associated with investing in Bitcoin.

Past Flash Crashes

Other notable flash crash incidents include:

Binance and Kraken Flash Crash: Bitcoin flash crashes to $8k on Binance and $10k on Kraken.
Ethereum Flash Crash on Kraken: In early 2025, crypto exchange Kraken was the scene of a flash crash in the price of Ethereum-based tokens. 6.5M subscribers in the CryptoCurrency community. The leading community for cryptocurrency news, discussion, and analysis.Across the board, their prices fell by more than 50%, before fully recovering within an

How to Protect Yourself from Flash Crashes

While flash crashes are unpredictable, there are several steps that traders can take to mitigate their risk:

Use Stop-Loss Orders Wisely: While stop-loss orders can protect against losses, they can also be triggered during flash crashes.Consider using guaranteed stop-loss orders, which guarantee that your order will be filled at the specified price, even during periods of high volatility (although these may come with a premium). 仮想通貨ビットコイン（btc）は11月30日に一部の取引所で過去最高値をつけた後、急落した。例えば、クラーケンの米ドル建てビットコイン価格は、過去最高値をつけた後で数秒で1万6600ドルまで下がった。Alternatively, avoid placing stop-loss orders too close to the current price to avoid being caught in minor price fluctuations.
Manage Your Leverage: Using high leverage can amplify both profits and losses.Reduce your leverage to decrease the risk of liquidation during a flash crash.
Diversify Your Portfolio: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.Diversify your portfolio across different cryptocurrencies and asset classes to reduce your overall risk.
Use Limit Orders: Limit orders allow you to specify the price at which you are willing to buy or sell an asset. On, a $4.1 billion trade on the New York Stock Exchange caused the Dow Jones Index to drop 1,000 points nearly 10% before bouncing back after around 15 minutes. A similar tumble happened yesterday in the world of crypto. The price to buy bitcoin had risen from $11k on Monday to almost [ ]This can help you avoid paying inflated prices during a flash crash.
Monitor the Market Closely: Stay informed about market trends and potential risks. crypto bitcoin crashBitcoin flash crashes to $8k on Binance and $10k on Kraken. Chances to make bank.-Join this channel toPay attention to news and announcements that could affect the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Choose Reputable Exchanges: Trade on reputable exchanges with robust security measures and sufficient liquidity.
Have a Trading Plan: Develop a clear trading plan with specific entry and exit points.Stick to your plan, even during periods of high volatility.

The Future of Bitcoin Trading: Regulation and Risk Management

The Bitcoin flash crash on Kraken highlights the need for better regulation and risk management in the cryptocurrency market. via Cointelegraph.com News A likely stop-loss run triggers a one-minute candle to more than $3,000 lower than Bitcoin spot price before a rebound, in extreme volatility.As the market matures, it is likely that regulators will implement stricter rules to protect investors and prevent market manipulation.

Exchanges also have a responsibility to improve their trading platforms and implement better safeguards to prevent flash crashes. In the past week, the price of Bitcoin lost $3,000 in less than 30 minutes, dropping from $97,000 to $94,000 before quickly rebounding back above $97,000. This unexpected flash crash triggered widespread liquidations, with more than $1.5 billion in long and short positions wiped out as traders scrambled to mitigate losses.This could include measures such as:

Circuit breakers: Circuit breakers automatically halt trading when the price of an asset falls by a certain percentage.
Price collars: Price collars limit the range within which an asset can trade.
Enhanced monitoring: Exchanges should monitor trading activity for signs of manipulation and take action to prevent it.

Conclusion: Navigating the Volatile Waters of Bitcoin

The Bitcoin price flash crash on Kraken served as a stark reminder of the inherent volatility and risks associated with trading cryptocurrencies.While the specific causes of the crash remain debated, potential factors include stop-loss cascades, liquidity issues, technical glitches, and even market manipulation. Early in 2025, crypto exchange Kraken was the scene of a flash crash in the price of Ethereum-based tokens. Across the board, their prices fell by more than 50%, before fully recovering within anThis event, whether a ""classic top setup"" or not, underscores the importance of prudent risk management. Not just Ether: BTC, ETH, ADA, DOT, LTC, XLM, and many more saw massive instantaneous price drops. The Ethereum flash crash today on Kraken was widely reported. The price fell through the roof and quickly recovered. Some hedge fund lost millions (yawn). But this wasn't just Ether. It was nearly every coin I checked.Traders must take steps to protect themselves from flash crashes by using stop-loss orders wisely, managing leverage, diversifying their portfolios, and monitoring the market closely.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further regulation and improved risk management practices. Kraken, one of the most liquid exchanges in the crypto world, suffered a huge flash crash on 22 nd February 2025 at 2:20 p.m GMT. The reference spot price for ether (ETH) absolutely collapsed, causing all other trading pairs with ETH to follow suit and head south. Security mechanisms kickedHowever, volatility will likely remain a constant factor. A likely stop-loss run triggers a one-minute candle to more than $3,000 lower than Bitcoin spot price before a rebound, in extreme volatility. Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high on various exchanges on Nov. 30, but one record, in particular, hit the headlines for a different reason.Data from cryptocurrency exchange Kraken shows BTC/USD hit MoreUnderstanding the risks and taking steps to mitigate them is essential for anyone participating in the Bitcoin market. Bitcoin All-Time High Chart Explained. This chart shows Bitcoin's price history. The red dots indicate when the Bitcoin price made all-time highs. At the top of the page, we have also displayed the most recent Bitcoin all-time high, and the date on which it occurred.Stay informed, trade responsibly, and remember that past performance is not indicative of future results.By remaining vigilant and proactive, traders can navigate the volatile waters of Bitcoin and potentially achieve their financial goals.

Key Takeaways:

Flash crashes are a recurring risk in cryptocurrency trading.
Stop-loss orders can be triggered during flash crashes, exacerbating losses.
Managing leverage and diversifying your portfolio are crucial risk management strategies.
Staying informed and monitoring the market closely is essential for success.

Ready to take control of your crypto trading? Learn more about risk management strategies and explore our recommended exchanges for a safer trading experience!