Why now? According to BitMEX cofounder Arthur Hayes, the answer has less to do with crypto headlines and more to do with plain old dollars.
In a recent post on X, Hayes said U.S. dollar liquidity has fallen by about $300 billion over the past few weeks. The main driver, he argued, is a roughly $200 billion rise in the U.S. Treasury General Account, often called the TGA. That shift, he added, helps explain why Bitcoin has struggled as cash conditions tighten.
Liquidity simply means how much money is available and moving through the financial system. When liquidity rises, risk assets like stocks and crypto often benefit. When it falls, prices tend to wobble.
Why the Treasury’s Cash Balance Matters
The Treasury General Account is the government’s main checking account at the Federal Reserve. When the balance goes up, it usually means the government is pulling money out of the financial system and holding it as cash. That reduces the amount of dollars circulating in banks, markets and investments.
Hayes suggested the recent TGA build up may be tied to shutdown risk. When Congress debates spending bills, the Treasury often stockpiles cash to make sure it can meet obligations if lawmakers fail to act on time. This has happened before. In the summer of 2023, the TGA surged after the debt ceiling deal, briefly draining liquidity from markets and weighing on risk assets.
Roughly $300bn fall in $ liq over past few weeks driven mostly by $200bn rise in TGA, gov could be raising cash balances to fund spending in case of shutdown. $BTC falling not a surprise given the fall in $ liquidity. pic.twitter.com/ctPjWd8188
— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) January 30, 2026
The numbers matter. U.S. Treasury data shows the TGA balance can swing by hundreds of billions of dollars in short periods. A $200 billion increase is large enough to be felt across global markets, especially when combined with ongoing quantitative tightening, where the Federal Reserve shrinks its balance sheet.
Bitcoin in a Tight Money Environment
Bitcoin’s reaction fits a recent trend. Over the past two years, crypto prices have shown a growing sensitivity to macro liquidity conditions. When dollar supply expands, rallies often follow. When it contracts, volatility rises.
A real world example came in late 2022. As the Fed raised rates and drained liquidity, Bitcoin fell below $17,000. In contrast, during periods of easing in 2023 and early 2024, when liquidity improved through bank lending and Treasury spending, Bitcoin rebounded sharply.
🚨 BITCOIN FACES HEAVY SELLING PRESSURE
Markets are shaking.
Liquidity is thinning.
Fear is creeping back in.High volatility ahead — weak hands getting tested.
Stay sharp. 📉⚠️ pic.twitter.com/jnlrjaJVi7
— Leo. sol (@Punk2028) January 30, 2026
Hayes’ point is not that Bitcoin is broken. It is that Bitcoin trades in a world still dominated by the dollar. Even assets designed to be independent are influenced by how much cash investors have to deploy. With roughly $900 billion in daily global FX trading linked to the U.S. dollar, according to BIS data, shifts in dollar flow ripple everywhere.
What Investors Should Watch Next
If the government later spends that cash and the TGA falls, liquidity could return. That would change the tone quickly. For now, the takeaway is simple. Short term price moves often reflect money conditions, not fundamentals.
Disclaimer
The information provided by Altcoin Buzz is not financial advice. It is intended solely for educational, entertainment, and informational purposes. Any opinions or strategies shared are those of the writer/reviewers, and their risk tolerance may differ from yours. We are not liable for any losses you may incur from investments related to the information given. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are high-risk assets; therefore, conduct thorough due diligence. Copyright Altcoin Buzz Pte Ltd.
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