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A cryptocurrency analyst has highlighted how Bitcoin has been trading inside a Triangle that could set up a 15% move for the asset. Bitcoin Is Potentially Consolidating Inside A Symmetrical Triangle In a new post on X, analyst Ali Martinez has talked about a technical analysis (TA) pattern that Bitcoin has been trading inside recently. The pattern in question is a “Triangle,” which is a type of consolidation channel that, as its name suggests, has a triangular shape. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bearish Momentum Losing Steam? Analyst Flags Key Metric The pattern is characterized by two converging trendlines. The lower of these is considered likely to be a point of support for the price, while the upper one that of resistance. A break out of either of these bounds can imply a continuation of trend in that direction. Triangles can be of a few different types based on the orientation of the trendlines with respect to each other and the graph axes. In an Ascending Triangle, the upper level is parallel to the time-axis. Similarly, the lower level being parallel creates a Descending Triangle. When both trendlines approach each other at a roughly equal and opposite slope, the pattern formed is known as a “Symmetrical Triangle.” The Triangle shared by Martinez that Bitcoin has been trading inside is the closest to this type. Below is a chart that shows the trajectory in cryptocurrency’s hourly price inside the pattern at the time of the post. As is visible in the graph, the 1-hour Bitcoin price found a bounce from the lower level of the triangular channel shortly before the post. Since then, however, BTC has seen some decline, which has taken it below the support line. This could be a potential indication that a breakout is occurring. In the post, Martinez had noted that the Triangle could set up a potential 15% move for the asset. This figure is based on the fact that Triangle breakouts are generally assumed to end up being of the same length as the height of the channel at the point where the trendlines are the furthest apart. Related Reading: Bitcoin Accumulation Notably Weaker Than Nov 2025 Bounce: Glassnode If the latest price drop indeed reflects a break out of the pattern for Bitcoin, then this 15% move could possibly follow to the downside. Symmetrical Triangles tend to have an equal probability of a breakout occurring in either direction, since there is roughly an equal bias both up and down. This time, however, it would appear that the bearish direction might be the one in store for BTC. BTC Price Bitcoin has dropped to the $66,300 mark following its drop over the past day. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin’s (BTC) struggle to hold key price levels is raising fresh concerns across crypto markets, even as spot exchange-traded funds continue to control tens of billions of dollars in assets. Related Reading: Bitcoin May Gain If AI Job Losses Trigger Bank Stress, Hayes Says The largest cryptocurrency has fallen back below the psychologically important $70,000 mark, trading around $68,000 after weeks of steady selling pressure and weakening momentum. While institutional products still hold significant capital, analysts say the market structure shows growing downside risk rather than stability, with technical patterns, whale activity, and macroeconomic uncertainty all pointing to a fragile outlook. BTC's price trends to the downside on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview Bearish Chart Signals and Whale Activity Intensify Pressure Technical indicators suggest the correction may not be finished. Market analysts highlight a developing “bear pennant” formation, a pattern that typically appears after sharp declines and often precedes another leg lower. A confirmed breakdown could push Bitcoin toward the $55,000–$60,000 range, representing roughly a 20% decline from current levels. On-chain data from CryptoQuant shows rising inflows into exchanges from large holders. The ratio tracking major transactions moving onto trading platforms recently reached elevated levels, historically associated with increased sell-side pressure. Analysts interpret this as preparation for distribution rather than accumulation. Additional data suggests the market has entered a “stress phase,” with losses mounting among newer investors while long-term holders remain profitable. Similar setups in past cycles often preceded extended consolidation or deeper corrections before recovery. Bitcoin ETFs Remain Large, But Not Necessarily Bullish Despite price weakness, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs still hold about $85 billion in assets, equivalent to more than 6% of the circulating supply. However, analysts caution that ETF resilience may not reflect strong bullish conviction. Research indicates a large portion of ETF ownership is dominated by market makers and arbitrage funds maintaining hedged positions rather than directional bets. Funds linked to asset managers such as BlackRock continue to see activity, but flows have recently turned negative, marking several consecutive weeks of net outflows. Institutional positioning is also shifting elsewhere. Filings show Harvard University reduced part of its Bitcoin ETF exposure late last year, highlighting a more cautious stance among some large investors. Macro Uncertainty And Sentiment Keep Markets On Edge Broader financial conditions are adding to pressure. Bitcoin has remained closely correlated with technology stocks and risk assets, both of which have reacted to expectations of prolonged higher interest rates. Upcoming Federal Reserve signals and economic data releases are likely to shape the short-term direction. Sentiment indicators tracked by Matrixport show extreme fear dominating markets, a condition that sometimes precedes rebounds but can also accompany late-stage corrections. Related Reading: Bitcoin Falls, But Robert Kiyosaki Says He’s ‘Excited’ And Buys More Meanwhile, corporate holders such as Strategy Inc continue accumulating Bitcoin despite volatility, underscoring a divide between long-term institutional conviction and short-term market weakness. Cover image from  ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart on Tradingview

Bitcoin investors hoping for a familiar macro rescue may be reading the room wrong. In an interview with Coin Stories host Nathalie Brunell, macro analyst Lyn Alden argued that the next policy turn is more likely to resemble a slow balance-sheet creep than the kind of “nuclear print” that has historically juiced risk assets, leaving bitcoin to compete largely on its own fundamentals and narrative pull. Alden framed the current cycle as unusually underwhelming, not just in price terms but in participation. She noted that sentiment “is worse than 2022,” and attributed the malaise to a missing retail bid, a lack of “alt season,” and a broader crypto market that “kind of run out of narratives.” Bitcoin, she said, topped out at $126,000, below her own bar for a satisfying cycle. “Sometimes they give their time frames so we can just see if it hits that time frame or not,” Alden said, pushing back on the reflexive call that every drawdown forces the Fed’s hand. “Every kind of down tick in stocks or every kind of down tick they say well the […] we’re going to have to print soon. But really the Fed only cares mainly about the liquidity of the treasury market and the interbank lending market […] even stocks going down 10, 20, 30% is not really going to be a catalyst.” Related Reading: Is Jane Street Manipulating Bitcoin? The Viral Theory Explained Brunell pointed to comments she said came from Fed Chair Jerome Powell about “slowly” expanding the balance sheet, with purchases starting around $40 billion in short-end Treasury bills, far from the trillions some bitcoin bulls anchor on. Alden’s response was blunt: the plumbing doesn’t demand a shock-and-awe response right now. “Mainly because the conditions are not such that they would need a big print in the near future,” she said. “There are scenarios that can absolutely result in a big print or a nuclear print […] but when you kind of run the numbers of how much debt is coming out, how levered or unlevered banks are, they just don’t really need a lot of printing. A little printing gets them a long way.” In Alden’s telling, QE1-scale interventions were tied to a very specific setup: an overlevered banking system with low cash ratios and acute private-sector balance sheet stress. Today, she argued, bank cash ratios are “still pretty high,” and absent a COVID-scale disruption or an escalation in war or “financial war”, the base case is incrementalism. Bitcoin Still Has To Win Attention That matters because, in Alden’s framework, gradual balance-sheet expansion is supportive but not decisive for bitcoin. The era where “micro doesn’t matter at all” is reserved for true emergency stimulus and she doesn’t see that as the near-term setup. “Not a ton, I think,” Alden said when asked what gradual QE means for bitcoin. “It’s supportive […] but Bitcoin still has to compete on its own merits for investor attention. So, you know, basically it has to compete with Nvidia […] with everything out there that people can own.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Capitulation Or Buy Zone? What On-Chain Data Shows Right Now She tied the muted cycle to “mediocre” topline demand and a capital-market landscape where AI-linked equities and even precious metals have offered competition for mindshare. Sovereigns “didn’t really show up,” she said, and retail largely stayed sidelined, leaving “the corporate institutional side” and higher-net-worth brokerage buyers, aided by ETFs, as the main marginal bid. Alden also downplayed the idea that derivatives and ETFs are the chief culprit behind a capped upside, even if they can “inflate” synthetic supply for a time. The bigger issue, she argued, is simply that the demand impulse hasn’t been strong enough to overwhelm a now-larger, more liquid market. Looking forward, Alden expects bottoms to form as “fast money gets out” and coins rotate to “strongly held hands,” with price more likely to grind than V-recover. On the upside, she pointed to a potential setup where AI trades eventually peak, bitcoin sits “cheap for a while” in tight hands, and only “a marginal amount of new demand” is needed to restart reflexivity, possibly alongside continued buying from bitcoin treasury companies. For now, her core warning is that this cycle may not be saved by policy theatrics. If bitcoin is going to reassert itself, Alden suggested, it will be less about waiting for a macro bailout and more about whether enough investors still want “self-custodial […] undebasable savings,” even when other assets are stealing the spotlight. At press time, Bitcoin traded at $67,556. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin sits on edge again, trading below the critical $68,000 level after a volatile stretch that erased around 28% from its price in about a month. Prices are swinging hard, and that swing has pushed smart-money talk and wild bets into the same room. Related Reading: Bitcoin Should Be Flying—Instead, Quantum Risk Keeps It Grounded: Analyst Experts Offer Starkly Different Paths According to some investors, a deep bargain is forming. Andrew Parish, a serial entrepreneur and outspoken Bitcoin proponent, argues that mood matters — when retail traders turn gloomy, big buyers can step in and lift markets fast. He put a bold target on the table: $500,000 within a few years if flows and sentiment flip. Ric Edelman, a veteran investor, has a similar headline number but with a slower clock; his math rests on broad wealth moving a tiny slice into crypto over time. Both views hinge on steady inflows and more investors taking small positions in crypto. GM. Bitcoin sub $70K is a gift. Buy more. In three years $BTC will trade above $500K. — Andrew (@AP_Abacus) February 16, 2026 A Bear Case That Cuts Deep On the other side, the warning is loud and clear. Bloomberg macro strategist Mike McGlone has painted a much darker path, saying an 85% drop could be possible and that $10,000 should not be dismissed. Legendary Investor Ric Edelman: “I believe #bitcoin can reach $500,000 by 2030.” ???? pic.twitter.com/XNQFTbuA69 — Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDaily) February 16, 2026 He points to stronger stock markets, lower market swings, and fading political tailwinds tied to US President Donald Trump as reasons capital might stay away from risky bets. Markets can be moved by big shifts in where money chooses to sit, and moments like this can put a damper on optimism quickly. Collapsing Bitcoin/Cryptos May Guide the Next Recession – “Healthy Correction” is what we should hear soon from stock market analysts (who risk unemployment if not onboard), following collapsing cryptos. The buy the dips mantra since 2008 may be over, here’s why: – US stock… pic.twitter.com/fPPc2fV3EU — Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) February 15, 2026 Flows And Sentiment Matter Reports note that exchange-traded funds saw heavy withdrawals recently. On-chain readings flagged hundreds of millions in outflows in a short window. A separate fear-and-greed meter cratered to very low readings, signaling panic among small traders. Those two facts together help explain why price fell so sharply; when many try to leave, price can slip faster than logic expects. That said, outflows can also clear the way for a different type of buyer to move in later. Related Reading: What Bitcoin Rout? Michael Saylor Unfazed, Teases New Accumulation On Institutional Behavior & Lofty Price Targets Meanwhile, institutional behavior will be the key variable. Large managers could buy when retail is jittery, and some market watchers point to companies that have built crypto desks as potential demand anchors. Despite the uncertainty, the $500,000 mark remains the headline grabber for bullish investors. Parish’s call captures attention because it ties sentiment swings to potential market moves, while Edelman’s projections underline how even modest allocations from global wealth could push Bitcoin higher over time. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin price corrected gains and tested the $66,000 support. BTC is now consolidating losses and might decline further below the $65,500 zone. Bitcoin is struggling to recover losses and moving lower below $67,200. The price is trading below $67,200 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is a declining channel forming with resistance at $68,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might dip again if it trades below the $66,000 and $65,500 levels. Bitcoin Price Dips Again Bitcoin price failed to remain stable above the $68,000 zone. BTC started a fresh decline and traded below the $67,500 support zone. There was a push below $67,000. The price dipped below the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $65,072 swing low to the $70,935 high. Finally, the price found some support near the $66,000 zone. It is now consolidating losses and there is a declining channel forming with resistance at $68,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Bitcoin is now trading below $67,200 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $66,000, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $67,350 level. The first key resistance is near the $68,000 level. A close above the $68,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $68,800 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $69,500 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $70,000 and $70,500. More Losses In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $68,000 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $66,000 level or the 83.2% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $65,072 swing low to the $70,935 high. The first major support is near the $65,500 level. The next support is now near the $65,000 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $64,200 support in the near term. The main support now sits at $63,500, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $66,000, followed by $65,000. Major Resistance Levels – $67,350 and $68,000.

Bitcoin continues to trade within a tight range, but beneath the surface, structural weakness is becoming increasingly evident. With price holding below the key $72,000 level, now acting as resistance, the broader technical outlook remains fragile, and any short-term consolidation may simply be masking underlying downside risk. Bitcoin Enters Clear Corrective Phase Bitcoin has entered a clear corrective phase after peaking in the $120,000–$125,000 region. Crypto analyst Alejandro₿TC notes that the weekly structure has broken to the downside, with the latest leg unfolding impulsively, a sign that momentum currently favors sellers rather than buyers. Related Reading: Bitcoin Ready To Bounce Again? The Major Accumulation Trend You Should Be Aware Of The key level to watch is the $72,000–$74,000 zone. Previously acting as strong support, this area has now been lost and flipped into resistance. As long as Bitcoin continues to close below this range on the weekly timeframe, any upward movement should be viewed as a corrective bounce rather than confirmation of a sustained reversal. On the downside, the $50,000–$52,000 region stands out as the primary magnet. This zone represents a significant weekly demand area and the base of the prior impulsive rally. If bearish pressure persists, it becomes the most logical target for a deeper retracement. The upcoming monthly close in 11 days could be decisive. A close below $72,000 would confirm the breakdown and increase the probability of further downside. Structurally, the market remains weak beneath that level, while a decisive reclaim above $74,000 would mark the first meaningful signal that strength is returning. Compression Intensifies Near $68,000 With volatility compressing as price trades within an increasingly narrow band, Bitcoin continues to coil tightly around the $67,000–$68,000 region. The lack of decisive movement in either direction suggests that the market is building energy for a larger expansion move.  Related Reading: Bitcoin Eyes Untapped Liquidity: $64,000 Support Could Be Next Target According to Columbus, liquidity continues to build above the $70,000 level, and notable bids remain layered between $64,000 and $66,000. With liquidity stacked on both sides, the market is effectively squeezed between opposing forces, waiting for a catalyst. The longer Bitcoin remains trapped inside this tightening structure, the more aggressive the eventual breakout tends to be. Compression phases like this typically end with strong displacement, as one side of the market is forced to unwind positions.  From here, sustained acceptance above the $69,500–$70,000 area would likely open the door for momentum toward heavier liquidity zones overhead. On the other hand, failure to reclaim that threshold keeps downside probes into the mid-$60,000s firmly in play, especially if bids begin to thin out under pressure. The next decisive move will likely be driven by which side of liquidity gets targeted first. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

The World Liberty Forum held this week at Mar‑a‑Lago featured remarks from President Donald Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who used the event to reaffirm their strong support for Bitcoin (BTC) and repeat their long‑standing $1 million price projection for the cryptocurrency. ‘Never Been More Bullish On Bitcoin’ Speaking on Wednesday, Eric Trump described himself as “a huge proponent of Bitcoin” and said he has never felt more optimistic about the asset’s future. “I’ve never been more bullish on bitcoin in my life,” he said, arguing that the digital currency has the potential to eventually reach $1 million per coin. Related Reading: Macro Wobbles May Send Bitcoin Back To The $50,000s, Industry CEO Claims However, amid falling Bitcoin prices, Eric acknowledged the asset’s volatility and characterized price swings as typical for an emerging technology with significant growth potential. In his view, Bitcoin’s upside contrasts sharply with traditional fixed‑income investments such as municipal bonds or US Treasuries (T-Bills), which generally offer lower yields. At the same time, Donald Trump Jr. offered sharp criticism of the traditional banking system, calling it a “Ponzi scheme” and arguing that the family’s move into crypto was not driven by trend‑chasing but by necessity.  Trump Brothers Accuse Banks Of Political ‘Debanking’ During an interview with CNBC at the forum, Donald Trump Jr. said his family turned to digital assets after banks closed “hundreds of accounts” belonging to the Trump Organization in early 2021. “You know, we didn’t get into crypto because we were on the leading edge,” Trump Jr. said. “We got into it out of necessity. They basically forced us into it.”  The brothers attributed the account closures to the political fallout following the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol, when supporters of their father stormed the building while contesting the 2020 presidential election results.  Related Reading: $274 Billion In Potential Bitcoin Selling Could Hit Markets, Expert Says They also claimed that banks had “debanked” other smaller clients over their conservative political views. Eric Trump said their crypto initiative, World Liberty Financial, is part of a broader effort to reshape the financial system.  “We’re trying to modernize finance,” he said, adding that the family felt ostracized by mainstream institutions during that period. “We’re the most canceled people in the world in 2020, 2021,” he said. As of this writing, Bitcoin is still consolidating at approximately $66,258. This represents a 50% difference from the current trading prices and the all-time high of $126,000, which was reached last October.  Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

An analyst has highlighted how the Bitcoin Inter-exchange Flow Pulse has continued to be in a bearish phase recently, but its value is starting to flatten out. Bitcoin IFP Could Be Reaching A Low In a new post on X, CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn has talked about the latest trend in the Bitcoin Inter-exchange Flow Pulse (IFP), which is an on-chain indicator that tracks the BTC flows occurring between centralized spot and derivatives exchanges. Related Reading: Bitcoin Accumulation Notably Weaker Than Nov 2025 Bounce: Glassnode When the value of this metric rises, it means more of the cryptocurrency is flowing from spot to derivatives platforms. Such a trend implies speculative interest in BTC is going up. On the other hand, the indicator witnessing a decline suggests traders may be taking a lower risk approach as they are reducing their transactions to derivatives exchanges. Now, here is the chart shared by Maartunn that shows the trend in the Bitcoin IFP and its 90-day moving average (MA) over the past decade: As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin IFP was on the rise during the last few months of 2024, but in 2025, a reversal occurred in the indicator. Flows to derivatives exchanges started declining and before long, the metric slipped under its 90-day MA. A cross below this MA is considered to signal the start of either a bear market or a correction phase for the cryptocurrency. Over the course of 2025, the signal maintained as the IFP continued to go down and failed to find a break above its 90-day MA. Interestingly, Bitcoin still rallied during the second half of the year to a new all-time high (ATH). Back in 2021, a similar pattern emerged as BTC observed another leg of the bull run in the second half of that year alongside a bearish signal on the IFP. From the chart, it’s visible that this previous IFP bearish transition remained all the way until the bottom of the 2022 bear market, where it flattened out before reversing up. A similar pattern was also observed during the 2018 bear market. As such, given the historical precedence, it’s possible that Bitcoin might find a bottom alongside a reversal in the IFP this time around as well. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bull-Bear Cycle Indicator Drops To Deepest Level Since FTX Bottom The early signs of such a reversal may even potentially be beginning to appear, as the indicator has been switching to a sideways trajectory recently. “The Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse is still in a bearish phase, but it’s starting to flatten out,” noted the analyst. Naturally, it’s still too early to tell whether derivatives flows are witnessing a real trend shift, so it only remains to be seen how the IFP will develop in the near future. “A shift here could signal changing capital flows,” said Maartunn. “Watch this metric closely in the coming weeks.” BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $67,300, up 1.3% over the last week. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

Arthur Hayes has issued a stark market warning: he sees a growing split between his preferred risk gauge, Bitcoin, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 as a signal that credit stress may be building under the surface. Related Reading: What Bitcoin Rout? Michael Saylor Unfazed, Teases New Accumulation Hayes, a co-founder and former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX, calls Bitcoin a “fiat liquidity fire alarm” — an asset that reacts quickly when credit conditions change. A Warning From Market Signals When two assets that often moved together start to pull apart, traders take notice. Hayes believes that a gap like this deserves investigation because it could point to trouble in bank balance sheets or in the flow of lending. He argues the move is not about one stock or one trade; it is about the plumbing of credit and how fast liquidity can dry up when things turn. How AI Job Cuts Could Ripple Through Credit Reports note that companies cited AI as a reason for thousands of layoffs in recent years, with an outplacement firm counting roughly 55,000 cuts in 2025 that were tied to AI. Much of that hit was inside tech. Hayes sketches a rough scenario: a sizable drop in knowledge-worker employment would weaken mortgage and consumer credit repayment, which could then shave bank equity and tighten lending. The numbers he offers are approximate and built on multiple assumptions, but they are intended to show how a shock to white-collar paychecks could cascade into the credit system. Expectations About Central Bank Action Hayes expects a policy response if banks start to fail and credit freezes. He argues the Federal Reserve would step in with fresh liquidity, and that more money creation would follow — a move he says would be favorable for Bitcoin’s price outlook. That scenario has been a recurring theme in his commentary; past essays and posts have linked anticipated Fed liquidity to sharp rallies in crypto markets. Altcoin Bets And Fund Positioning His fund, Maelstrom, is said to plan staking or stablecoin deployments into privacy-focused and exchange-native plays once liquidity policy shifts occur, naming Zcash and Hyperliquid as examples. That kind of tactical stance is meant to profit from a short-term surge in risk assets after a policy pivot. Related Reading: XRP Emerges As The Crypto Everyone’s Talking About, Grayscale Says A Measured View This is a dramatic chain of events: AI job losses lead to credit losses, which cause bank stress, which forces the central bank to expand money supply, which lifts Bitcoin. Each link is plausible, but none is guaranteed. Some of Hayes’ figures are rough estimates meant to illustrate risk rather than to act as a precise forecast. Market history shows that central banks do sometimes step in, and that policy moves can power asset rallies, but outcomes depend on timing, scale and public confidence — factors that are hard to predict in advance. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Robert Kiyosaki expects a sharp market slide and sees it as a chance to add to his holdings. He has named Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside gold and silver as places to park money when prices tumble. Related Reading: Bitcoin Should Be Flying—Instead, Quantum Risk Keeps It Grounded: Analyst The book author and crypto figure calls scarcity a simple reason to act now. That idea is not new, but he is putting fresh public emphasis on buying during market panic. “I am so excited and bullish on Bitcoin I am buying more and more as Bitcoin’s price goes down,” Kiyosaki said in an X post. Kiyosaki’s Scarcity Argument Kiyosaki’s view rests on one clear point: some assets are limited. Bitcoin’s capped supply is used as the main example. He believes limited supply can protect value when currencies are under pressure. “I will be buying more Bitcoin as people panic and sell into the coming crash,” he said. The strategy he’s talking about is to keep buying during price drops, taking advantage of panic to pick up more at lower levels. I Am Warning You: In Rich Dad’s Prophecy published 2013 I warned of the biggest stock market crash in history still coming. That giant crash is now imminent. The good news is those of you who followed my rich dad’s warning and prepared….the coming crash will make you richer… — Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) February 17, 2026 For people who can handle big swings, that approach may produce strong gains over many years. It is an aggressive stance, and it relies on the buyer staying calm while markets move wildly around them. “This coming crash may make you richer beyond your wildest dreams if you realize crashes are the best of times to get richer,” Kiyosaki said. Market Voices Push Back Not everyone agrees with that approach. Billionaire Warren Buffett has long warned that crypto looks speculative, and financial commentator Peter Schiff argues that digital coins lack a reliable store of value. Their warnings are blunt: prices can fall much further and stay low for a long time. This tension between bullish accumulation and caution is shaping investor debate right now. Price swings in a short span are not uncommon, and those moves can test conviction. What To Watch Next Liquidity and regulatory shifts remain key factors. Large drops have often been amplified when buyers pull back or regulators implement sudden rule changes. Exchange outages, forced selling by major holders, and rapid swings in lending markets have triggered past selloffs. Reports note that macro headlines and shifts in sentiment among big investors can drive prices lower even when long-term fundamentals appear steady. Steady accumulation during such periods has historically depended on the ability to endure these shocks. Related Reading: What Bitcoin Rout? Michael Saylor Unfazed, Teases New Accumulation A Plain Takeaway Kiyosaki is making a choice about how to deal with risk: accept volatility and buy more, or avoid it and likely miss big rebounds. Both approaches have been proven right at different times. Short-term noise will be loud and distracting. Long-term results will be shown by market prices and by who keeps their nerve. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

A fresh round of Bitcoin market-manipulation chatter is ricocheting through crypto X after Jane Street added 7,105,206 shares of BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, in Q4 2025, bringing its reported position to 20,315,780 shares. Speculators tie this disclosure to a long-running rumor about a daily “10AM” sell program. Is Jane Street Manipulating The Bitcoin Price? The allegation is simple and sticky: the same sophisticated desk “accumulating” IBIT is also supposedly the desk leaning on BTC and BTC-linked vehicles at a predictable time each morning to create better entry prices. The rebuttal, from market structure veterans, is equally blunt: you’re reading a market maker’s inventory like it’s a directional bet. BullTheory framed the 13F as an accumulation story, writing that Jane Street bought 7,105,206 IBIT shares “worth $276 million” in Q4 2025 and “now holds 20,315,780 IBIT shares worth $790 million,” before adding: “This is the same entity rumoured to be behind the daily ‘10 AM’ manipulation to push Bitcoin prices lower.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Accumulation Notably Weaker Than Nov 2025 Bounce: Glassnode The screenshot circulating alongside the claim shows Jane Street Group LLC listed with a 13F source tag, an options indicator marked “Y,” a position of 20,315,780, and a latest change of 7,105,206, filed 12/31/25. That “Y” is the detail critics keep coming back to because it’s the quickest tell that the position may not be what the headline suggests. BREAKING: Jane Street bought 7,105,206 $IBIT shares worth $276 million in Q4 2025. It now holds 20,315,780 IBIT shares worth $790 million. This is the same entity rumoured to be behind the daily “10 AM” manipulation to push Bitcoin prices lower. pic.twitter.com/NFC5r5hHUn — Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) February 17, 2026 Milk Road amplified the “10am theory,” calling it “persistent whispers” about “certain institutional trading desks running a very specific/shady playbook… (Jane Street included.).” The account described an alleged routine: “Around 10 AM ET, right at the US stock market open, large sell volumes hit BTC and related ETF shares. This creates panic → triggers liquidations of leveraged longs → and exploits thin liquidity pockets. Then the same firms allegedly buy back at lower prices.” Milk Road added that the pattern “apparently emerged prominently in early Nov 2025,” showed up in Q2 and Q3, and “has continued into early 2026,” while stressing: “To be clear – these are unverified rumors circulating in the community.” Not everyone bought the internal logic even on its own terms. CryptoQuant contributor Darkfost responded with the question many traders would ask first: “In this rumor, when is Jane Street supposed to have bought large amounts of BTC so as not to be selling at a loss right now”. Milk Road replied that the rumor “suggests they’d accumulated in the lead up,” then used existing holdings to “sell/dump prices → buy in size at a lower price,” adding again: “totally unverified.” Market Makers: Inventory Isn’t A Thesis The strongest pushback focused on mechanics, not vibes. Louis LaValle, CEO and co-founder of Frontier Investments, argued the viral framing misreads what a 13F is showing in the first place: “This isn’t correct. You’re misinterpreting the 13F. Jane Street is a lead market maker and Authorized Participant for IBI. They aren’t ‘holding’ as a bet. The ‘Y’ in the options column next to that $5.7B value confirms this is a delta-hedged position.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Whales Flood Binance As Correction Deepens: On-Chain Data Shows LaValle added that the Q4 increase could be operational rather than directional: “They added 7 million shares in Q4 to manage the record volatility and creation/redemption demand. As a market maker, they hold these shares to balance the risk of the options they write. It has nothing to do with conviction or some mysterious price manipulation.” Former hedge fund manager Michael Green struck a similar note, calling the discourse “painful” and pointing to what isn’t visible in the filing: “Jane Street may be taking a position in IBIT, but that position is almost entirely offset by undisclosed options (on IBIT) and futures positions. They are certainly not ‘accumulating’ a position in Bitcoin. That’s how market making works.” Others put it more sharply. Former prop trader Ryan Scott (“Horse”) warned: “Anyone posting this as bullish is committing a capital offense. This should be ‘You’ll never guess who also has offsetting derivative positioning that does not need to be reported’ Jane Street is not longing Bitcoin.” Nik Bhatia boiled it down to incentives: “Jane Street owns IBIT so that it can write options, arbitrage, and everything else a quantitative trading shop does to make fast money.” Overall, the market-maker explanation appears more consistent with how these positions are typically managed, while the “10AM slam” narrative remains, at this stage, just that, a theory circulating on crypto X rather than a verified claim. At press time, BTC traded at $68,107. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin remains stuck below the $70,000 mark, a level that once served as a crucial floor for the cryptocurrency but has now turned into its most significant near-term barrier.  After losing that support, the asset has struggled to regain momentum, and analysts warn that a combination of macroeconomic uncertainty and weak buying pressure could push the asset back into the $50,000 range — a level not seen since September 2024. Iran Tensions, Fed Uncertainty And ETF Withdrawals Market sentiment has noticeably deteriorated in recent weeks. “Sentiment is clearly bleak in crypto markets,” said Noelle Acheson, author of the Crypto is Macro Now newsletter.  She pointed out that although traditional financial institutions continue to make meaningful strides in adopting digital assets, those developments have not translated into stronger prices, which she noted, is weighing further on investor confidence. Related Reading: Top Expert Projects Bitcoin Bear Market To End In Less Than 365 Days Broader macroeconomic forces are adding to the unease. According to Bloomberg, traders are assessing escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran, as well as renewed debate over whether the economic impact of artificial intelligence (AI) could extend beyond the technology sector.  At the same time, expectations surrounding Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cuts have shifted back into focus following last week’s inflation data, injecting additional uncertainty into risk markets. Capital flows are not offering much relief. US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a fourth consecutive week of net outflows, with $360 million pulled last week alone.  Bitcoin At Risk Of Drop To $50,000 “Macro news has been closely correlated with crypto’s risk profile over the last 12 months,” said Paul Howard, senior director at market maker Wincent. He expects Bitcoin to remain range-bound as it searches for a new catalyst to revive sentiment.  Howard added that a pending US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, expected Friday, could have a more meaningful market impact than routine Federal Reserve minutes or inflation reports. Related Reading: XRP Outlook Slashed: Standard Chartered Lowers Forecast From $8 To $2 Amid this debate, investors view $60,000 as a pivotal support level for Bitcoin, but that floor could give way if risk appetite weakens further, according to Robin Singh, CEO of crypto tax platform Koinly. Singh cautioned that the market does not yet display the type of deep capitulation typically associated with durable cycle lows. “One macro wobble, another wave of uncertainty, or even just sustained chop in the mid-$60,000s could easily tip this into a sharper flush back into the $50,000s,” Singh said. “This doesn’t have the same full capitulation feel we’ve seen at true cycle bottoms in the past.” At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at around $68,000, marking a 29% decline over the past thirty days. Compared to the all-time high of $126,000 reached last October, CoinGecko data shows a 46% difference between the current trading price and the all-time high.  Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin continues to struggle to reclaim the $70,000 level, with persistent selling pressure keeping the market in a defensive posture. Price action has repeatedly failed to establish sustained momentum above this psychological threshold, reflecting cautious sentiment among both institutional and retail participants. While volatility has moderated compared with the sharp declines seen earlier in the cycle, the broader structure still suggests a market searching for direction rather than entering a clear recovery phase. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Losses Mirror Past Bottoms: Accumulation Continues Despite Pressure Recent on-chain data from a CryptoQuant analyst offers additional context by examining whale positioning. Wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC currently control approximately 4.483 million BTC as of February 16, 2026. Within this cohort, long-term holder whales — those holding coins for more than 155 days — dominate with roughly 3.196 million BTC, or about 71.3% of the total. Short-term whales, defined by holding periods under 155 days, account for around 1.287 million BTC, representing 28.7%. Although newer whales have modestly increased balances in recent months, structural control remains firmly with long-term holders. This imbalance suggests that while newer capital faces ongoing pressure, more established investors continue to anchor the market. Whether this dynamic supports stabilization or precedes further volatility remains an open question. Whale Cost Basis Signals Redistribution Rather Than Capitulation The analyst emphasizes that the most decisive signal comes from comparing realized price — the on-chain average acquisition cost — across different whale cohorts. Short-term holder (STH) whales currently show a realized price near $88,494, while long-term holder (LTH) whales maintain a significantly lower cost basis around $41,626. With Bitcoin trading close to $68,795, the contrast is pronounced. Newer whales are sitting on roughly a 22% unrealized loss, whereas long-term whales retain an estimated 65% profit margin. This asymmetry highlights a familiar market dynamic: recent capital is under pressure, while structurally entrenched holders still operate from a position of strength. When price declines accelerate, short-term whales historically tend to capitulate first, locking in losses. Recent realized profit data suggest this process has already intensified since Bitcoin’s October all-time high, with deeper negative spikes appearing as the correction progressed. Historically, similar configurations observed in 2019 and 2022 corresponded with redistribution phases rather than systemic collapse. Supply gradually shifted from lower-conviction participants toward stronger holders. The key threshold remains the LTH realized price near $41.6K. As long as Bitcoin trades above that level, structural capitulation is not confirmed. Instead, the current phase appears to reflect conviction transfer rather than widespread market destruction. Related Reading: Hyperunit Whale Dumps $500M In Ethereum As Massive Crypto Bet Turns Sour Bitcoin Holds Key Support As Downtrend Structure Remains Intact Bitcoin price action on the 3-day timeframe continues to reflect a structurally weak market following the sharp rejection from the late-2025 highs near $125,000. Since then, BTC has printed a sequence of lower highs and lower lows, confirming a clear intermediate downtrend. The recent drop toward the $65,000–$70,000 zone highlights persistent selling pressure, particularly after repeated failures to reclaim higher moving averages. From a technical perspective, price is currently trading below the 50-, 100-, and 200-period moving averages, all of which are beginning to slope downward. This alignment typically signals bearish momentum and suggests rallies may continue to face resistance. The 200-period average near the mid-$90,000 region now represents a major structural barrier rather than support. Related Reading: Liquidity Or Liability? History’s Hard Lessons For The XRP Momentum Play Volume dynamics reinforce this interpretation. Selling spikes accompanying recent declines appear stronger than buying activity during rebounds, indicating distribution rather than accumulation in the short term. However, the stabilization near the $65,000–$70,000 range suggests a potential consolidation phase rather than immediate continuation lower. Key support sits around the recent local low near $60,000. A sustained breakdown below that level could trigger another volatility expansion, while recovery above $80,000 would be required to neutralize the current bearish structure and shift sentiment toward stabilization. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

On-chain analytics firm Glassnode has highlighted how accumulation during the recent Bitcoin drop has looked weaker than some past crashes. Bitcoin Accumulation Trend Score Doesn’t Indicate Strong Accumulation In a new post on X, Glassnode has talked about the latest trend in the Accumulation Trend Score of Bitcoin. This indicator tracks whether the BTC investors are accumulating or distributing right now. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bull-Bear Cycle Indicator Drops To Deepest Level Since FTX Bottom The metric determines this by taking into account for two factors: the balance changes happening in the wallets of the holders and the size of the balances themselves. The latter factor means that larger entities have a higher weightage in the indicator. When the value of the Accumulation Trend Score is greater than 0.5, it means the large holders (or a large number of small entities) are in a phase of accumulation. The closer is the metric to the 1.0 level, the stronger is this behavior. On the other hand, the indicator being under the 0.5 mark suggests distribution is dominant on the network. The selling can be considered the strongest at a value of zero. Now, here is the chart shared by Glassnode that shows the trend in the 7-day moving average (MA) of the Bitcoin Accumulation Trend Score over the last few years: As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin Accumulation Trend Score took a yellow shade as the cryptocurrency’s January recovery rally topped out and a move downward followed. This suggests that the investors were distributing. As the coin has stabilized above $65,000 recently, the indicator’s color has changed to a darker one, implying it has broken back above the 0.5 mark. While this is a sign that there has been some accumulation at the post-crash price levels, the degree of it hasn’t been too high. From the chart, it’s apparent that this behavior is in contrast to how the market reacted to the November crash. Back then, the Accumulation Trend Score took a deep purple shade, indicating an aggressive amount of accumulation from the big-money hands. The LUNA and FTX crashes from the 2022 bear market were also met with a similarly extreme accumulation behavior. It now remains to be seen whether the lack of demand this time around will mean that Bitcoin will take some time to settle into a low. Related Reading: 46% Of Bitcoin Supply Now In Loss—What It Could Take For A Bottom In some other news, Glassnode has shared an update in an X post on how the major Bitcoin on-chain price models are looking. As is visible in the graph, Bitcoin’s decline has meant that its price is now trading under all major on-chain pricing models except for the Realized Price, corresponding to the cost basis of the network participants as a whole. This level is currently located at $54,900. BTC Price Bitcoin has stagnated since its recovery from the $60,000 low as its price is still floating around the $68,000 level. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

While much of the market’s attention remains fixed on the Bitcoin (BTC) short-term price outlook for the remainder of the year, some early industry voices are raising a far longer-term concern — one that could introduce as much as $274 billion in potential selling pressure over the next decade. Quantum Risk Debate Grows  In a recent post on social media, market expert Crypto Rover pointed to what he described as a growing conversation among early Bitcoin analysts and long-time participants in the space.  According to the analysis, the warning is not coming from retail traders reacting to daily price swings. Instead, it is being discussed by so-called “OG” holders — investors who have been involved with Bitcoin since its earliest years. Related Reading: Top Expert Projects Bitcoin Bear Market To End In Less Than 365 Days The issue at the center of the debate is not macroeconomics or regulatory shifts, but quantum computing. A segment of early adopters believes that advances in quantum technology may no longer be a distant or purely theoretical risk.  Within the next five to ten years, they argue, quantum systems could become powerful enough to challenge the cryptographic foundations that secure the Bitcoin network. If quantum machines were able to break or significantly weaken that encryption, older wallets — particularly those using early-generation security standards — could become vulnerable. The concern is not that Bitcoin’s network is currently weak, but that a sufficiently advanced quantum breakthrough could expose dormant coins whose private keys were once thought secure. This is where the potential supply shock comes into focus. Potential Return Of Early-Era Bitcoin An estimated 4 million BTC from Bitcoin’s early years, particularly before 2011, are considered inactive or lost. Markets generally treat those coins as permanently out of circulation, effectively reducing Bitcoin’s usable supply.  However, Rover asserts that if quantum computing were ever able to unlock even a portion of those wallets, that supply could theoretically return to the market.  To understand the magnitude of such a shift, Rover points to recent history. Since 2020, institutions and corporations have collectively accumulated roughly 3 million BTC, which played a key role in driving BTC from $10,000 to peak levels above $120,000.  Related Reading: XRP Outlook Slashed: Standard Chartered Lowers Forecast From $8 To $2 The expert warns that if 4 million Bitcoin were suddenly viewed as potentially liquid supply, it would represent a long-term overhang far exceeding the scale of recent institutional accumulation. However, Rover highlighted that quantum computing does not represent an imminent danger to Bitcoin’s security. The technology is continuously evolving, and there is no confirmed ability to break modern cryptographic standards at scale.  BTC was trading at roughly $67,800 at the time of writing, representing a 2.6% decrease over the previous seven days, according to CoinGecko data.  Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

Bitcoin continues to struggle to reclaim the $70,000 level, with price action increasingly confined to a broad range above $60,000. This consolidation reflects persistent selling pressure near resistance while buyers appear willing to defend lower levels, creating a temporary equilibrium rather than a clear directional trend. Market sentiment remains cautious, with traders closely watching liquidity conditions, macro signals, and on-chain flows for clues about the next decisive move. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Losses Mirror Past Bottoms: Accumulation Continues Despite Pressure A recent CryptoQuant analysis provides additional context by highlighting a noticeable shift in miner behavior. According to the data, the pace of Bitcoin withdrawals from trading platforms has accelerated significantly in recent weeks. Since the beginning of February, roughly 36,000 BTC have been withdrawn from exchanges — a substantial figure compared to previous months. Such withdrawals are often interpreted as a reduction in immediate selling intent, as miners typically move coins off exchanges when prioritizing long-term holding or alternative liquidity strategies. While this does not guarantee bullish price action, it can reduce short-term supply pressure in spot markets. Miner Withdrawals Signal Potential Shift In Bitcoin Supply Dynamics The analysis further highlights the scale and distribution of recent miner withdrawals from exchanges. More than 12,000 Bitcoin were reportedly withdrawn from Binance alone, while the remaining volume — exceeding 24,000 BTC — was spread across multiple other trading platforms. This broad-based movement suggests coordinated repositioning rather than isolated activity by a single entity, pointing to a wider shift in miner liquidity management strategies. Such behavior is often interpreted as a move toward longer-term storage. Miners typically transfer holdings to cold wallets when they are less inclined to sell immediately, reducing the amount of Bitcoin readily available on exchanges. This can signal increased confidence in future price appreciation or a strategic decision to manage liquidity outside active trading venues. Daily withdrawal intensity has also accelerated notably. At one point, more than 6,000 BTC were withdrawn in a single day, marking the highest daily level since last November. This pace clearly exceeds the activity observed in January, reinforcing the view that miners may be entering a repositioning phase. While not inherently bullish, sustained exchange outflows from miners can contribute to tighter spot supply conditions, potentially influencing price stability and market sentiment over time. Related Reading: Hyperunit Whale Dumps $500M In Ethereum As Massive Crypto Bet Turns Sour Price Consolidates Below Resistance Bitcoin price action continues to reflect structural weakness, with the chart showing a clear downtrend following the rejection from the late-2025 highs. Successive lower highs and lower lows remain intact, confirming that bearish momentum has not yet been invalidated. The recent decline toward the mid-$60K range appears to be stabilizing temporarily, but price has not reclaimed any major technical resistance levels. The moving average structure reinforces this view. Price remains below key trend indicators, which are sloping downward and acting as dynamic resistance. This alignment typically reflects sustained selling pressure rather than a completed correction. Until Bitcoin reclaims these averages convincingly, upside recoveries are likely to face repeated selling interest. Related Reading: Liquidity Or Liability? History’s Hard Lessons For The XRP Momentum Play Volume behavior also deserves attention. The sharp spike accompanying the recent drop suggests forced selling or panic-driven liquidation rather than orderly distribution. However, the subsequent reduction in volume during consolidation indicates that aggressive sellers may be temporarily exhausted, though not necessarily absent. From a technical standpoint, the $60K–$65K zone is emerging as an important short-term support area. A sustained breakdown below it could open the door to deeper downside. Conversely, recovery above the $70K region would be required to weaken the current bearish structure and signal potential stabilization. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Bitcoin price corrected gains and tested the $66,500 support. BTC is now struggling and might decline further below the $65,000 zone. Bitcoin is struggling to recover losses and moving lower below $67,500. The price is trading below $67,500 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is a declining channel forming with resistance at $68,850 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might dip again if it trades below the $66,500 and $66,000 levels. Bitcoin Price Dips Further Bitcoin price failed to remain stable above the $68,500 zone. BTC started a fresh decline and traded below the $67,800 support zone. There was a push below $67,200. The price dipped below the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $65,072 swing low to the $70,935 high. However, the bulls remained active near the $66,500 zone. Besides, there is a declining channel forming with resistance at $68,850 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Bitcoin is now trading below $67,500 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $66,500, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $68,000 level. The first key resistance is near the $68,850 level. A close above the $68,850 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $69,200 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $70,000 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $7`,200 and $72,000. Another Decline In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $68,850 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $66,500 level or the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $65,072 swing low to the $70,935 high. The first major support is near the $66,000 level. The next support is now near the $65,000 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $64,200 support in the near term. The main support now sits at $63,500, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $66,500, followed by $66,000. Major Resistance Levels – $68,000 and $68,850.

After an extended period of relative stability, Bitcoin has entered a renewed phase of volatility, with price swings accelerating to levels not seen in nearly a year. The sudden shift signals a potential turning point in market dynamics, as tightening liquidity conditions, changing investor sentiment, and increased trading activity drive sharper movements across the crypto market. How Rising Volatility Signals A Change In Market Regime Bitcoin volatility has returned to levels not seen in almost a year. A full-time crypto trader and investor, Daan Crypto Trades, has highlighted on X that ever since the tariff-related market dump, BTC price action has remained unusually slow, and it is rare to see a daily candle move of 5% or more. Over the past few weeks, the broader market breakdown has seen a notable change. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Holds The Line, But Can Bulls Force A Break Higher? The rise in volatility mirrors broader instability across all other markets, which is definitely not a calm period for markets around the world. Meanwhile, elevated volatility often creates attractive opportunities for short-term traders. Daan emphasized that his primary focus remains on the next larger market swing and accumulating BTC at the lowest possible levels, with a long-term horizon in mind. According to investor Jelle, buying Bitcoin at the bottom of the last cycle is not because he anticipated the exact price, but because the market showed remarkable resilience following the collapse of FTX. When FTX collapsed, BTC sold off roughly 20%, but in a market deep into a bear phase, the price action began moving sideways, sweeping previous lows and eventually forming higher lows.  After months of downside, the market had already absorbed so much negative information that even a major systemic shock failed to drive prices significantly lower. Jelle noted that these structural shifts bear losing strength and bulls gradually regaining control are the key signals he is watching for again.  While there are price levels where he’s willing to take action, the decision ultimately depends on the broader market context. The focus is on bears losing momentum and bulls starting to show early signs of strength, because the market will eventually show its resilience. From Accumulation To Price Discovery Bitcoin has entered a critical accumulation phase that could define the next nine months of the cycle. Analyst Aralez stated that the price has entered a zone where the market will form a bottom, but growth should not be expected within 3 to 5 months of accumulation before the breakout. Related Reading: Bitcoin Sharpe Ratio Sinks To Historical Lows — Accumulation Next? However, the outlook suggests that this accumulation phase will eventually resolve to a decisive move higher, leading to a new all-time high near $130,000. After a confirmed break above $126,000, it could open the door to $250,000. Under this scenario, Ethereum and other high-cap altcoins are expected to follow BTC’s momentum. Also, altseason and Memecoin season will revive, showing 100 times growth in days. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Bitcoin (BTC) may be positioning for another significant upward move as on-chain data suggests strong accumulation activity among long-term holders. A CryptoQuant author, Darkfost on X, highlighted a significant rise in demand from accumulator addresses that consistently acquire and retain Bitcoin. According to him, the current behavior of these investors could influence market sentiment and trigger a price bounce in Bitcoin.  Bitcoin Accumulation Activity Suggests Future Upside Darkfost’s CryptoQuant chart analysis shows that monthly accumulation from “accumulator addresses” now averages around 372,000 BTC, up sharply from 10,000 BTC per month in September 2024. This substantial increase in long-term buying indicates a strategic positioning that contrasts with the recent short-term trading behavior in the market. Related Reading: Extreme Bitcoin Shorts Could Predict A Bottom, Here’s The Significance His chart also shows that demand from accumulator addresses was steadily increasing each year. According to the analyst, Bitcoin’s latest price decline appears to have created opportunities for these long-term investors to continue buying aggressively. Rather than reacting to ongoing price volatility, they appear to be focused on Bitcoin’s future growth and are positioning ahead of any potential bounce.  Notably, Darkfrost has indicated that the scale of the recent accumulation is unprecedented, suggesting a large portion of Bitcoin has consistently been removed from circulation. As demand continues to increase and supply declines, this could create ideal conditions for an upward price movement.  The recent accumulation trend also highlights a major contrast between short-term trading and deliberate positioning. Accumulator addresses tend to show a disciplined, patient approach to investing, which has historically aligned with periods of stronger market performance. Their aggressive buying may act as a stabilizing factor in the market and provide early indicators for a possible price rebound.  The same principle applies to periods with notable sell-offs and weak demand. When investor sentiment is low, particularly in highly volatile conditions, it can contribute to more pronounced downtrends.  How Accumulator Addresses Are Identified Darkfost notes that CryptoQuant identifies accumulator addresses using a detailed set of criteria. According to him, these addresses show no outflows and must have purchased a minimum amount of BTC in their latest transaction. Each address must also have at least two separate purchasing events or inflows, hold a minimum total Bitcoin balance, and have been active at least once over the past seven years.  Related Reading: Why The Bitcoin Price Crash Toward $60,000 Was “Necessary” To ensure accuracy, CryptoQuant also excludes known exchanges and miner addresses, as well as any addresses that interact with smart contracts. This framework helps reduce distortions and provides a clearer picture of long-term holders actively accumulating Bitcoin.  Darkfost emphasized that the identification and selection process is precise and thorough, allowing confidence in the validity of the observed accumulation. While CryptoQuant takes extensive measures to be accurate, the report acknowledges that selection is not perfect and cannot capture every entity, such as centralized exchanges or miners. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Ethereum is attempting to rebound after recent selling pressure, but the recovery so far lacks the strength needed to confirm a lasting bottom. With momentum appearing corrective rather than impulsive and key resistance levels still intact, downside risk remains on the table unless buyers can deliver a decisive structural shift. No Impulsive Break, No Bullish Confirmation According to a recent Ethereum update by More Crypto Online, the downside scenario remains valid unless price delivers a clear impulsive five-wave advance or decisively breaks above the weekend high. The bounce from last week’s low currently appears corrective rather than impulsive.  Related Reading: Ethereum Price Recovery Runs Into A Wall, Decline Risk Returns Momentum has been limited, and the structure does not yet suggest that a sustainable bottom has formed. So far, there is no clear technical evidence that a durable reversal is underway. However, Ethereum is trading within a technically significant zone. Following the recent liquidation flush, markets have become more reactive, making it important to stay alert for potential reversal signals that could shift the short-term outlook. For now, confirmation is still lacking. Until a stronger structural shift appears, close monitoring of the lower-timeframe micro structure remains essential to determine whether Ethereum builds strength or resumes its downward trajectory. Ethereum Attempts Recovery After Sunday Selloff Ethereum is attempting to stabilize after the sharp Sunday selloff, showing early signs of recovery. In his latest analysis, Lennaert Snyder noted that, similar to Bitcoin, ETH printed relatively weak weekend extremes around $1,929 on the low and $2,107 on the high. These levels now serve as key liquidity reference points for the week ahead. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Selloff Continues As Supply Share Drops Under 75% Snyder’s broader plan anticipates a push toward higher prices, but he prefers to see nearby liquidity pools mitigated before considering quality long positions. With the higher-timeframe trend still pointing downward, short setups remain valid if the right structure presents itself.  For long entries, he wants to see a sweep of the $1,946 and/or $1,929 lows, as both represent weak pivots, ideally including a full sweep of the weekend low. Such a move could provide the liquidity grab needed for a high-probability reversal back toward the weekend high. However, if price rallies directly from current levels and leaves those lows untouched, he would instead look for short opportunities following a market structure break (MSB) near the $2,107 high. Additionally, H1 liquidity sits around $2,015, offering potential scalp setups depending on whether the price gains acceptance above it or rejects it sharply. Longs would be considered on a clean reclaim, while failure after a sweep could favor shorts. With it being a bank holiday, no trades are being placed today, and the outlined plan remains intact unless price action invalidates it. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

Some reacted with concerns about dilution for existing shareholders due to the stock price decline and the related-party nature of the transaction.

Bitcoin’s ongoing correction is pulling large holders back onto centralized venues, with CryptoQuant data showing a sharp jump in whale-dominated inflows to Binance. At the same time, derivatives positioning continues to unwind, reinforcing the picture of a market de-risking across both spot and futures. Bitcoin Whale Share Of Inflows Spikes On Binance CryptoQuant contributor Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) said Binance is seeing a notable rise in whale activity as the drawdown pressures participants “from retail participants to whales and even institutions.” His focus was the “whale inflow ratio,” a metric that compares BTC inflows from the 10 largest transactions against total exchange inflows, smoothed using a weekly average to reduce the impact of one-off transfers. “According to the whale inflow ratio, we are seeing a clear surge in whale activity on Binance, reflecting a specific dynamic in the market,” Darkfost wrote. “This ratio is calculated by comparing BTC inflows from the 10 largest transactions to total inflows. Using a weekly average helps reveal a clearer trend, filtering out noise from isolated, exceptional transactions.” Related Reading: 46% Of Bitcoin Supply Now In Loss—What It Could Take For A Bottom Between Feb. 2 and Feb. 15, Darkfost said the ratio rose from 0.4 to 0.62, implying that a larger share of inbound BTC to Binance is now coming from a small set of large transfers. While the metric doesn’t prove intent, a higher concentration of whale inflows is often read as an increase in potential sell-side supply sitting on exchange order books, particularly during risk-off stretches. “It is important to note, however, that this reflects an increase in their share of inflows, which can be interpreted as rising sell-side pressure in the market,” he added. Darkfost also flagged that some of the activity may be linked to a specific entity. “Part of these inflows can be attributed to a well-known whale, believed to be Garrett Jin. Nicknamed 19D5 or ‘the Hyperunit whale,’ this whale has been particularly active on Binance recently, moving close to 10,000 BTC onto the platform.” He framed the broader context as a liquidity and venue-choice story rather than a single wallet-driven anomaly, arguing that multiple whales have been sending “significant amounts of BTC” to Binance, aided by its depth while uncertainty pushes investors to reassess exposure. Derivatives Unwind Adds To Pressure In a separate post, Darkfost argued the derivatives market contraction that followed the cycle’s top remains a central feature of the current tape. “Analyzing Bitcoin open interest across exchanges highlights how severely the derivatives market has contracted since the last all time high and the October 10 sell off,” he wrote, adding that speculation “reached unprecedented levels.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Capitulation Or Buy Zone? What On-Chain Data Shows Right Now He pointed to prior peaks in BTC-denominated open interest on Binance: 94,300 BTC after the November 2021 peak versus 120,000 BTC at the October 2025 market top and said aggregate open interest across all exchanges rose from 221,000 BTC in April 2024 to 381,000 BTC at the cycle peak. Since that top, he said open interest has fallen in almost every month, including a sharp Oct. 6–Oct. 11 drawdown when Binance open interest dropped 20.8%, while Bybit and Gate.io each posted 37% declines. The contraction has continued, with Binance down another 39.3%, Bybit down 33%, and BitMEX down 24%, according to Darkfost. His takeaway is that the market is still in a risk-reduction phase, whether voluntary or forced by liquidations amid volatility. “Overall, this environment indicates that investors are actively reducing exposure, cutting risk, or being forced out through liquidations driven by ongoing volatility,” he wrote. “Under these conditions, it is difficult to envision Bitcoin stabilizing sustainably and reigniting a bullish trend in the short term.” At press time, BTC traded at $67,823. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Strategy has been quietly adding to its Bitcoin pile for the 12th straight week, refusing to slow down even as prices wobble. Michael Saylor’s chart on social feed grabbed attention again, marking what the firm calls its upcoming 99th BTC trade. Related Reading: Bitcoin Should Be Flying—Instead, Quantum Risk Keeps It Grounded: Analyst The latest buy was 1,142 BTC for just over $90 million, bringing the total on the books to 714,644 BTC — a holding that’s valued at a little over $49 billion at current market rates. Strategy Keeps Buying Reports note that the company’s pattern is simple: buy through weakness. The firm’s purchases have become a steady drumbeat in the market. While others paused or raised cash, the firm added coins below its $76,000 average cost. Critics point to the risk of doubling down when markets slip. Supporters argue accumulation at lower prices widens the margin for long-term gains. 99>98 pic.twitter.com/BsTEvhbc9v — Michael Saylor (@saylor) February 15, 2026 Market Signals Signals from the wider crypto treasury sector paint a rough picture. Standard Chartered Bank warned that by September 2025 several big treasury firms were trading with an mNAV below 1 — a sign their shares were priced under the value of the assets they hold. That metric matters because companies with an mNAV above 1 tend to find it easier to raise capital and issue shares to buy more crypto. The sector was already under strain before the October flash crash. The crash then carved deeper losses; Strategy reported a Q4 hit of $12.4 billion, which sent its share price down about 15% at the time, though the stock has recovered some ground and closed recently at $133.80. Bitcoin Price Action Midway through the week, Bitcoin traded near $68,000 after earlier slides, giving a sense of short-term calm. The market’s mood has been pushed and pulled by headlines — geopolitical worries in the Middle East nudged BTC under $78,000 briefly — and that pulled many investors back from risky bets. Altcoins were hit harder, while the largest coin showed relative strength. Traders said the move was a mix of headline risk and a pause in fresh buyers. Related Reading: Bitcoin At $8,000? Michael Saylor Says Strategy Still Won’t Break What The Buying Means The buying streak sends a clear message: Strategy believes in holding through volatility. That stance has been rewarded in past cycles but it’s not without cost. The Q4 loss and the hit to the company’s stock show how concentrated exposure can amplify pain. Balance sheets were tested across the sector. For some firms, the market’s price judgment has been unforgiving. Featured image from Bitbo, chart from TradingView

With Bitcoin (BTC) hovering around 50% below its all-time high of $126,000 reached last October, investors are increasingly questioning when the cryptocurrency might finally establish its next bottom.  According to market expert and technical analyst Altcoin Sherpa, the current bear phase is unlikely to drag on for another full year. In his view, Bitcoin could complete its downturn in less than 365 days and potentially resume its broader uptrend before year-end. Has Bitcoin Bottomed?  In a recent analysis published on X, Sherpa clarified that his timeline refers specifically to the move from peak to bottom and does not include the accumulation period that typically follows.  Accumulation, he explained, is characterized by choppy, sideways price action with relatively low volatility and subdued trading volume. Historically, this phase has lasted anywhere from two to four months. Related Reading: Can XRP Hold Above $1? Token Tumbles 11% as Breakdown Fuels Crash Concerns Looking back at previous cycles, Sherpa notes a fairly consistent rhythm. Bitcoin experienced a powerful rally in 2017 and again in 2021, each followed by a steep year-long decline in 2018 and 2022.  After those major drawdowns came an extended stretch of accumulation, as seen in 2019 and 2020. From the top in 2017 to the bottom in 2018, and similarly from 2021 to 2022, it took about one year for Bitcoin to complete its downward move.  Another common feature of past bear markets, he argues, has been a final capitulation event — a sharp, dramatic sell-off that effectively marks the end of the downtrend.  Sherpa believes a capitulation may have already occurred in 2026, pointing to Bitcoin’s drop from $100,000 to $60,000 as a potential final flush. If that interpretation is correct, the market could already be in the early stages of accumulation. Accumulation Could Already Be Underway  Because the 2024 and 2025 rallies were structurally different, Sherpa believes the decline will also differ. While the last two bear markets each lasted about a year from peak to bottom and saw drawdowns of approximately 85% and 75%, respectively, he does not expect the current downturn to mirror that pattern exactly. One reason, he says, is the growing role of US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Although ETF products can and do decline along with the broader market, they have changed the structure of capital flows.  He also points to the lengthy consolidation between $50,000 and $70,000, where Bitcoin traded for roughly eight months. From a technical analysis perspective, such extended trading ranges often act as strong support zones during pullbacks.  Related Reading: Dogecoin (DOGE) Gives Back Gains, Support Level Under Spotlight As for timing, broader macroeconomic forces — including equities, metals, overall risk appetite and even developments in artificial intelligence — remain critical variables. Still, Sherpa does not think BTC needs another seven months of steady decline to form a bottom. If the recent $100,000 to $60,000 slide was indeed the final Bitcoin price capitulation, then accumulation may already be underway. Historically, that phase has lasted between two and four months, or roughly 60 to 120 days. However, he acknowledges one key risk to his outlook: the possibility that a final capitulation has not yet occurred. If another sell-off emerges — for example, a drop from $75,000 toward $50,000— he would interpret that as the definitive bottoming event. In that scenario, accumulation would likely follow for several months. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

On-chain data shows CryptoQuant’s Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator has witnessed a deep plunge into the bearish territory recently. Bitcoin Bull-Bear Cycle Indicator Now Most Bearish Since 2022 Bottom In a new post on X, CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn has talked about the latest trend in the CryptoQuant Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator. This metric tells us, as its name suggests, about the market phase that the cryptocurrency is currently inside. The indicator is based on another CryptoQuant metric called the P&L Index, which combines the data of key on-chain indicators to build a single valuation index for Bitcoin. More specifically, the metrics that the P&L Index uses are the MVRV Ratio, NUPL, and LTH/STH SOPR. Related Reading: 46% Of Bitcoin Supply Now In Loss—What It Could Take For A Bottom The MVRV Ratio and NUPL both deal with unrealized network profits/losses, while the LTH/STH SOPR with profits/losses being realized by the investors through their transactions. According to CryptoQuant, the P&L Index’s interactions with its 365-day MA signal whether the asset is switching to a bull or bear market. Breaks above the MA indicate that the cryptocurrency is moving into a bullish regime, while falls below it can signal a bearish transition. The CryptoQuant Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator tracks the distance between the P&L Index and its 365-day MA to showcase whether the market is transitioning or if the metric is valued at an extreme. Now, here is the chart for the indicator shared by Maartunn that shows how its value has changed over the past decade: As displayed in the above graph, the CryptoQuant Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator plunged into the region below zero during the last few months of 2025, suggesting that the P&L Index crossed below its 365-day MA. As mentioned earlier, such a crossover is a sign of a bearish shift. Since the indicator has gone into this zone, its value has only fallen deeper as the cryptocurrency has seen its negative price action. Following the most recent drop, the metric has hit low levels not seen since the 2022 bear market bottom that followed the FTX crash. The trend is an indication that the P&L Index is approaching an extreme point below the 365-day MA. In the past, market lows have generally been reached alongside such values on the index. Related Reading: Bitcoin NUPL Back In Hope/Fear Region: What Happens Next? That said, the CryptoQuant Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator has usually spent a bit of time in the “extreme bear” zone before the cryptocurrency has found a reversal. It now remains to be seen how long the metric will take this time around. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $68,000, down 4% in the last seven days. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

On-chain data shows almost half of all Bitcoin is currently underwater, representing overhead supply that might need to be absorbed before a price bottom. Around 9.31 Million Bitcoin Is Now Being Held At A Loss In a new post on X, CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn has talked about why a true Bitcoin bottom takes time to form. To illustrate his point, Maartunn has shared a chart for the Bitcoin Supply In Loss, an indicator that measures, as its name suggest, the total amount of the cryptocurrency that’s being held at a net unrealized loss. As is visible in the above graph, the Bticoin Supply In Loss shrunk down to zero as the asset set its new all-time high (ATH) back in October. Since then, however, the metric’s value has sharply expanded as the cryptocurrency has gone through its bearish reversal. Related Reading: Bitcoin NUPL Back In Hope/Fear Region: What Happens Next? Today, the indicator is sitting at 9.31 million BTC, which is the highest that it has been since the 2022 bear market. In terms of supply percentage, this amount is equivalent to 46% of all tokens in circulation. Generally, holders in loss look forward to retests of their cost basis level so that they can exit with their capital back. Currently, there would be a significant amount of such investors. “A large share of holders are waiting to sell at breakeven or a small profit,” noted the analyst. Another on-chain indicator called the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) showcases which levels exactly the underwater hands bought their Bitcoin at. As displayed in the indicator’s chart, the Bitcoin loss supply is particularly clustered between the $80,000 to $95,000 and $105,000 to $120,000 ranges. Given the distance that the current BTC price has to these levels, it’s possible that traders who bought inside the ranges will stay underwater in the near future. Upward moves for the asset would naturally be met with selling pressure from these investors looking to cut their losses. “That overhead supply must be absorbed and redistributed to stronger hands before a durable bottom can emerge,” explained Maartunn. Related Reading: Bitcoin On-Chain Heatmap Shows All Major Metrics In The Red During the previous bear market, the Bitcoin Supply In Loss dropped to even lower levels than now and the market observed a long phase of consolidation before this transfer of loss supply to more resolute hands could occur. It now remains to be seen how long the cryptocurrency will take to reach a floor this time around. BTC Price Bitcoin has taken to sideways movement since its recovery from the $60,000 low as its price is still trading around $68,600. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin price corrected gains and tested the $67,500 support. BTC is now recovering and might aim for an upside break above $69,500. Bitcoin is recovering losses and moving higher above $68,500. The price is trading above $68,800 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is a declining channel forming with resistance at $69,550 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might dip again if it trades below the $68,000 and $67,400 levels. Bitcoin Price Faces Resistance Bitcoin price failed to remain stable above the $70,000 zone. BTC started a fresh decline and traded below the $69,000 support zone. There was a push below $68,000. The price dipped below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $65,072 swing low to the $70,935 high. However, the bulls remained active near the $67,400 zone. The price is again moving higher and gaining pace above $68,500. Bitcoin is now trading above $68,800 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $68,200, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $69,500 level. There is also a declining channel forming with resistance at $69,550 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The first key resistance is near the $70,500 level. A close above the $70,500 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $71,200 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $72,000 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $72,200 and $72,500. Another Decline In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $69,500 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $68,000 level. The first major support is near the $67,400 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $65,072 swing low to the $70,935 high. The next support is now near the $67,000 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $66,000 support in the near term. The main support now sits at $65,000, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $68,000, followed by $67,400. Major Resistance Levels – $69,500 and $70,000.

Bitcoin’s recent price decline has led to many traders betting on further downside, with on-chain data showing a notable increase in bearish positioning across major crypto exchanges. According to on-chain data from Santiment, aggregated funding rates have fallen into deep negative territory. This level of deep short positioning has not been seen with Bitcoin since August 2024, a period that ultimately established a major bottom before a powerful multi-month recovery. Bitcoin traders are now back to this level, and history shows that such extreme positioning can create the conditions for a rally. Funding Rates Show Bearish Positioning For Bitcoin Santiment’s “Funding Rates Aggregated By Exchange” metric blends funding data from multiple major exchanges to provide a good view of market sentiment and positioning pressure across the crypto industry. Related Reading: Why The Bitcoin Price Crash Toward $60,000 Was “Necessary” Funding rates are a mechanism used in perpetual futures markets where traders pay small fees to one another at regular intervals to keep contract prices aligned with spot prices. When funding rates are negative, short sellers are paying long traders. When they are positive, longs are paying shorts. The latest chart data from Santiment shows funding rates are now in negative territory, with red bars dominating the lower section of the chart. Funding rates are now less than -0.01%, which shows that a significant portion of derivatives traders are positioned for downside.  More often than not, funding rates are positive, as shown in the chart below. According to Santiment, the last time derivatives funding reached similarly extreme negative levels was in August 2024.  At that time, traders were shorting Bitcoin aggressively after a notable price crash. However, instead of continuing lower, the Bitcoin price action reversed sharply. Short liquidations helped contribute to an approximately 83% rally over the following four months as positions were forced to close. A similar setup occurred after Binance’s major liquidation event on October 10, 2025, when billions of dollars in long positions were wiped out. In the aftermath, traders turned sharply bearish and crowded into short positions. Extreme Shorting Can Lead To A Squeeze Extreme negative funding is a reflection of fear-based positioning. All that needs to happen for a short squeeze is for the Bitcoin price to push just a bit higher. Related Reading: Popular Tesla Investor Shares The Major Problem After Bitcoin Fell Below $70,000 If the price unexpectedly moves higher, leveraged shorts begin accumulating losses at a fast pace. Once those losses cross liquidation thresholds, exchanges automatically close those positions. Traders must buy back Bitcoin to cover their positions, and this, in turn, creates upward pressure on the price. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $68,740, but the short-term cost basis is around $90,900. A strong push and close above $75,000 could lead to bullish momentum and draw in fresh inflows, increasing the chances of a short squeeze. However, heavy shorting alone does not guarantee an immediate rebound, though it does create a fragile environment where positioning pressure can quickly change to sharp upside volatility. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

The British financial giant Standard Chartered sharply reduced its price outlook for XRP, the fourth-largest cryptocurrency. The company trimmed its end-of-2026 target by 65% following the severe downturn in the broader crypto market in the past month. The revision comes even as the altcoin posted a modest 2% rebound over the past week, trading around $1.47 per token at the time of writing. Despite that short-term recovery, the bank’s digital assets team now believes the token is unlikely to reach a new all-time high this year. New XRP Price Prediction The updated forecast was first reported on Monday by DL News, with Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, outlining the changes in a note to investors.  Related Reading: Can XRP Hold Above $1? Token Tumbles 11% as Breakdown Fuels Crash Concerns Kendrick, who leads the bank’s crypto research efforts, acknowledged that recent market conditions have forced a broad reassessment of price expectations across the sector. “Recent price action for digital assets has been challenging, to say the least,” Kendrick wrote. “We expect further declines near-term, and we lower our forecasts across the asset class.” Under the revised outlook, Standard Chartered now expects XRP to reach $2.80 by the end of 2026, a substantial cut from its previous $8 projection. The earlier target had been issued in December, when the bank took a far more optimistic stance.  At that time, Kendrick pointed to increasing regulatory clarity surrounding XRP’s status as a financial asset, along with progress toward exchange-traded fund (ETF) products, as key catalysts that could drive significant price appreciation. Broad Forecast Cuts Across Major Tokens The $8 forecast was made roughly two and a half months after the sharp market crash on October 10, when sentiment had begun to stabilize.  However, as February draws to a close, the broader crypto market has yet to mount a sustained recovery. That prolonged weakness has prompted Standard Chartered to reassess not only XRP but the wider digital asset landscape. Related Reading: Bitcoin Should Be Flying—Instead, Quantum Risk Keeps It Grounded: Analyst Bitcoin’s (BTC) expected price has been reduced from $150,000 to $100,000. Ethereum’s (ETH) forecast has been revised down from $7,000 to $4,000, while Solana’s (SOL) target has been cut from $250 to $135. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

XRP may be approaching a significant technical moment after returning to an important level on the XRP/BTC chart. A crypto analyst known as Austin recently highlighted that the last time XRP broke above a specific resistance against Bitcoin, the result was a rapid and powerful price expansion. That same level is now being tested again, and it is worth keeping a close watch on how XRP moves from here. XRP/BTC Breakout Level Returns Technical analysis of XRP’s price action against BTC shows that the important signal lies in XRP’s performance against Bitcoin, specifically the 0.00002168 level on the XRP/BTC chart. This level is interesting because the last time the XRP/BTC broke through this zone, the pair surged by roughly 40% within a single week.  Related Reading: XRP Price Could Push Further If It Beats This Resistane – ‘$15 Is On The Radar’ However, that move did not happen because Bitcoin’s price was crashing but because XRP was rallying. As XRP gained strength against Bitcoin, XRP/USD followed with an even larger breakout of over 50% within the following week. The chart accompanying Austin’s post shows a highlighted eight-day move where XRP gained approximately 52.9%, rising from around the low $2 range to above $3.60. Trading volume rose massively during that period, and this ultimately pushed XRP to a new all-time high of $3.65. As it stands, the XRP/BTC pair is now trading around this same level, with the most recent daily candlestick printing green, which means that XRP is outperforming Bitcoin. History shows that when XRP begins to outperform Bitcoin decisively, it often leads to a broader price expansion. Austin noted that breaking through this level again could be a significant sign of a big move to come. Current Structure And What Comes Next As shown in the daily candlestick chart above, XRP has been locked in a broader corrective trend against the US dollar with lower highs and lower lows after reaching $3.65 in July 2025. The recent selloff saw XRP drop below $1.15 in early February before rebounding. At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $1.46 and attempting to print daily candlestick closes above $1.50. Related Reading: Analyst Wans XRP Price Could Crash Below $1 If Bitcoin Reaches This Level If XRP/BTC manages to close convincingly above 0.00002168, it could signal a renewed shift in momentum. That would likely draw attention back to higher resistance zones on the USD chart, including $1.90, and then $2.10 as initial upside targets.  A stronger continuation could open the path toward retesting deeper overhead supply levels. If the structure were to repeat the prior breakout, where XRP rallied by 52% in a short window, price projections would place the asset near the $2.30 region from current levels. Featured Image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com