Solana slips below $80 support – Evaluating SOL’s path to $60 after Drift exploit

A major Solana holder has realized over $4 million in losses after offloading 47,401 SOL, as the Drift Protocol exploit has triggered broader market uncertainty and forced exits. 

This is probably one example of how exploit-driven risk has directly pressured price, with SOL dropping 5.85% to $79.26 as sell-side activity accelerates. 

The same address had accumulated 91,891 SOL worth $16.04 million at $175, which highlights a transition from holding to capitulation under deteriorating conditions.

Pennant breakdown signals deeper downside risk

Following this pressure, SOL broke below its bearish pennant near $80, confirming continuation from consolidation.

At press time, the price tested $78.50 as immediate support, now a critical short-term level.

The rejection near $93.26 left trapped buyers, adding overhead supply on any rebound. As the price remained below the structure, the market entered a post-breakdown phase.

A loss of $78.50 could expose the $60 level as the next liquidity target.

As the price weakened, the Stochastic RSI dropped toward oversold levels. At press time, it stood near 9.03, reflecting sustained selling pressure.

However, oversold conditions failed to trigger recovery, with bounces remaining shallow.

This pattern showed buyers lacked the strength to shift momentum.

Instead, each reset aligned with continued downside drift. That trend reinforced weak bullish conviction.

Why are top traders still heavily long?

Despite weakness, Binance’s top traders maintained a strong long bias. Around 79.79% of accounts were long, versus 20.21% short.

This pushed the Long/Short Ratio to 3.95, reflecting aggressive positioning.

However, such crowded longs increased downside vulnerability.

As positions built on rebound expectations, liquidation risk grew. This divergence suggested traders remained early, increasing downside risk.

Long liquidations reinforce bearish continuation pressure

As the imbalance persisted, liquidation data showed longs absorbing most losses.

Over $10.49 million in long liquidations occurred, compared to $511,070 in shorts. This gap showed bullish traders were repeatedly forced out.

Each liquidation wave added selling pressure and accelerated declines. These conditions aligned with breakdown phases and rapid leverage unwinds.

As a result, the market continued resetting at lower levels.

Is Solana heading toward $60 next?

Solana [SOL] reflected sustained downside pressure across multiple signals. Whale capitulation, structural breakdown, and liquidations remained aligned.

The market showed no clear signs of absorbing selling pressure.

Meanwhile, long positioning stayed elevated despite falling prices. This imbalance kept pressure tilted downward.

Current conditions suggested SOL could test the $60 level next.

Final Summary 

• The Drift Protocol exploit triggered uncertainty, accelerating sell-side pressure and pushing SOL down 5.85% to $79.26.
• Liquidation cascades added selling pressure, accelerating downside moves.