October 10 Crypto Crash: BTC, ETH Volatility Spiked 4–10x as Spot-Only Strategy Capitalized on Liquidations
According to @CryptoMichNL, an October 10 crypto market crash saw double‑digit losses within minutes and billions in positions wiped out while MN Fund posted its most profitable single day using a spot‑only, no‑leverage volatility strategy, source: @CryptoMichNL and MN Fund on X, Jan 12, 2026. According to @CryptoMichNL, pre‑placed bids in BTC and altcoins were filled during the cascade, turning the drawdown into opportunistic entries rather than forced exits, source: @CryptoMichNL on X, Jan 12, 2026. According to @CryptoMichNL, MN Fund states normal daily volatility for ETH is about 3.5% but spiked 4–10x on October 10, creating ideal conditions for a volatility strategy to monetize dislocations, source: MN Fund via @CryptoMichNL on X, Jan 12, 2026. According to @CryptoMichNL, MN Fund frames ETH’s four‑year range as 1,000 to 4,800 dollars and argues passive holding would have yielded roughly 0% over that span, supporting a thesis to position for outlier moves to convert risk into consistent returns, source: MN Fund via @CryptoMichNL on X, Jan 12, 2026. According to @CryptoMichNL, the trading takeaway is that laddered spot bids and volatility‑aware execution can outperform during forced‑liquidation cascades without leverage, source: @CryptoMichNL and MN Fund on X, Jan 12, 2026.
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Reflecting on the dramatic events of October 10th, as shared by trader Michaël van de Poppe, the cryptocurrency market experienced a severe bloodbath that caught many off guard. Waking up to double-digit losses across major assets like Bitcoin and Altcoins, van de Poppe recounted his initial flashbacks to past liquidations. However, for his MN Fund, this crash turned into their most profitable day ever, achieved through spot-only trading without leverage. This story highlights how a well-designed volatility strategy can transform market chaos into opportunity, especially in volatile assets like Ethereum and Bitcoin.
Understanding the October 10th Market Crash and Its Trading Implications
The crash was triggered by unexpected macro news late in the evening, leading to a cascade of liquidations that wiped out billions in positions within minutes. According to van de Poppe's account, Ethereum's daily volatility, which typically hovers around 3.5%, spiked dramatically to 4-10 times that level on October 10th. This extreme fluctuation created a disaster for most investors but proved ideal for strategies built to capitalize on such outliers. For traders focusing on Bitcoin and Altcoins, this event underscores the importance of positioning for volatility rather than trying to predict directional moves. In the broader context, Bitcoin, often seen as a safe haven in crypto, still faced significant downside pressure, while Altcoins amplified the losses due to their higher beta. Traders who had set buy orders at key support levels likely saw their positions filled at discounted prices, mirroring MN Fund's success.
Volatility Strategies: Turning Risk into Returns in Crypto Trading
Van de Poppe emphasizes that over the past four years, Ethereum has oscillated between $1,000 and $4,800, enduring multiple rallies to all-time highs and corrections exceeding 50%. A passive holding strategy through this period would yield zero returns, but an active volatility approach converts these swings into consistent gains. For instance, during the October 10th event, MN Fund's positions on Altcoins and Bitcoin were filled amid the panic, leading to substantial profits as the market rebounded. This approach doesn't add unnecessary risk; instead, it harnesses the inherent volatility of assets like ETH and BTC. Traders can learn from this by incorporating tools such as on-chain metrics, like trading volumes and liquidation data, to identify entry points. On that day, with billions liquidated, trading volumes surged, creating liquidity for opportunistic buys. Current market sentiment, influenced by such historical events, suggests monitoring resistance levels around Bitcoin's $60,000 mark and Ethereum's $3,000 threshold for potential breakouts or breakdowns.
Beyond the immediate crash, this narrative offers valuable lessons for cryptocurrency trading strategies. Institutional flows into Bitcoin ETFs have shown resilience post-crash events, often leading to V-shaped recoveries. For Altcoins, which frequently correlate with Bitcoin's movements, the October 10th dip provided a textbook example of buying the fear. Traders should consider multiple trading pairs, such as BTC/USD and ETH/BTC, to gauge relative strength. On-chain data from that period likely revealed spikes in transfer volumes and whale activity, signaling accumulation opportunities. Van de Poppe's pride in his growth as a trader resonates with many, reminding us that emotional discipline during bloodbaths is key. As we analyze today's market, with Bitcoin hovering near recent highs and Altcoins showing mixed sentiment, events like October 10th reinforce the need for robust risk management. Exploring strategies at resources like van de Poppe's MN Fund site can provide deeper insights into volatility trading.
Broader Market Correlations and Future Trading Opportunities
Linking this to stock market correlations, the October 10th crypto crash mirrored broader market turmoil, potentially influenced by macroeconomic factors like interest rate hikes or geopolitical tensions. Crypto traders can exploit these cross-market dynamics by watching Nasdaq movements, as tech-heavy indices often drive sentiment in AI-related tokens and Altcoins. For example, if stocks face a downturn, Bitcoin might serve as a hedge, but extreme volatility could lead to correlated sell-offs. Institutional investors, increasingly allocating to crypto, view such crashes as buying opportunities, boosting flows into funds like MN Fund's. Looking ahead, with Ethereum's potential upgrades on the horizon, traders should eye support levels at $2,500 for ETH and $50,000 for BTC, where historical bounces have occurred. This event also ties into AI-driven trading bots, which could automate volatility strategies, enhancing efficiency in spotting anomalies like the 4-10x spike seen on October 10th. Ultimately, van de Poppe's story illustrates that in cryptocurrency markets, preparation for the worst can yield the best results, encouraging traders to focus on data-driven decisions over emotional reactions.
Michaël van de Poppe
@CryptoMichNLMacro-Economics, Value Based Investing & Trading || Crypto & Bitcoin Enthusiast