On September 21, 2026, Bitcoin shot above $84,000, while Ethereum crossed the $2,700 mark. Both coins hit their highest levels since January 2026.

BTC and ETH Set New Local Highs

The sudden pump pushed the market to levels we haven’t seen since the start of the year: Bitcoin broke through $84,000, and Ethereum climbed above $2,700. These fresh local highs cranked up both volatility and action on the derivatives side.

Massive Liquidations on the Futures Market

With crypto prices ripping higher, total futures liquidations soared to $746 million. According to the data, around 137,000 traders got liquidated—most of them holding short positions that got squeezed hard.

What’s Fueling the Move?

Sharp upside moves like this usually wreck shorts: when key price levels get taken out, margin requirements spike, kicking off a cascade of forced liquidations. The market’s still hypersensitive to price surges near these new yearly highs.