BTC 15-minute sharp decline of 0.90%: liquidity gap area and macro risk aversion resonate, triggering short-term selling pressure

On March 5, 2026, from 16:00 to 16:15 (UTC), Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a short-term decline of -0.90%, with the price ranging from 70,800.8 to 71,653.9 USDT, and an amplitude of 1.19%. This movement occurred amid heightened market attention, with volatility significantly rising. Investor sentiment shifted to caution, trading volume and on-chain activity remained high, intensifying short-term trading pressure.

The main driver of this fluctuation was BTC being in a “gap zone”—a liquidity-sparse area above 72,000 USDT, where only about 1% of circulating BTC traded in this range. The critical resistance/support zone between 73,750 and 74,400 USDT was touched, releasing technical selling pressure. Post-holiday buying has not yet recovered, and with liquidity gaps, any sell-off can cause rapid price declines. ETF capital inflows slowed or even experienced partial redemptions, exerting direct pressure on short-term prices.

Additionally, geopolitical risks (such as tensions in the Middle East), a strengthening US dollar index, and upcoming major regulatory changes have prompted some funds to shift to safe assets, further accelerating selling. Market behaviors resonated: high leverage liquidations, increasing expiring put options, and a surge in BTC inflows to trading platforms on-chain all amplified this decline. Market sentiment worsened, panic selling accelerated price drops, and abnormal trading structures appeared. Large orders on the order book were canceled, spreads widened, indicating possible manipulation or short-term arbitrage exploiting liquidity gaps.

In the short term, volatility risks are elevated, especially under conditions of low liquidity and dominance of large funds. It is recommended to monitor BTC support levels between 70,000 and 72,000 USDT, on-chain fund movements, and macro policy and regulatory news. In a high-leverage environment, liquidation risks are prominent, so caution is advised against sharp short-term fluctuations. Stay updated with on-chain indicators and market information to grasp the latest market dynamics.