Crypto markets are leaning toward their quietest mood in years, and some analysts say that could be the signal sellers have run out of steam. According to Matrixport, a slump in investor mood has pushed its measures to levels that have in the past lined up with market turning points. Related Reading: XRP Spotlighted In German Media With Bold $9 Projection Crypto Sentiment At Multi-Year Lows According to Matrixport, its Bitcoin fear-and-greed gauge has the 21-day moving average below zero and starting to turn up, which is the kind of shift that in prior episodes marked the end of broad selling. Reports note Alternative.me’s Fear and Greed Index sits near 10 out of 100, a reading that lines up with what traders call “extreme fear.” Those are blunt, unsightly numbers. They also tend to make a few investors start looking for bargains. Similar Readings From The Past Past moments with similar readings came after steep drops. June 2024 and November 2025 were named by Matrixport as earlier times when market mood hit comparable depths, and each was followed by at least a temporary change in price action. That pattern doesn’t promise a rebound every time, but it does show how deeply negative views can eventually be absorbed by buyers who step back in at lower prices. ????Today’s #Matrixport Daily Chart – February 17, 2026 ⬇️ Bitcoin Sentiment Hits Extreme Lows ⁰— Durable Bottom Are Emerging? #Matrixport #Bitcoin #BTC #CryptoMarkets #MarketSentiment #FearAndGreed #RiskManagement #Volatility #CryptoResearch pic.twitter.com/WxJg3xrHSf — Matrixport Official (@Matrixport_EN) February 17, 2026 Technical Indicators Flash Oversold Signals Frank Holmes of Hive says Bitcoin is about two standard deviations below its 20-day trading norm — a rare reading seen only a few times in five years. Reports note that these extremes have historically produced short-term bounces over the following 20 trading days. Bitcoin itself has been moving sharply: it briefly climbed above $70,000 over the weekend, only to fall back about 2.5%, trading near $68,750 at the time of writing. Other trackers report it dipped close to $60,000, marking one of the deepest drops in several years. Traders are keeping a close eye on US GDP and income data, which could influence risk appetite and the next moves for crypto markets. Selling Pressure May Be Near Exhaustion Reports say Matrixport still warns that prices could move lower before any meaningful bottom is cemented. The firm points to a cyclical link between mood and price — deep pessimism often precedes an inflection, but cycles can be messy and extend. Selling pressure can be exhausted and yet new headlines or data can push prices down further before buyers feel confident enough to stay. Related Reading: Bitcoin At $8,000? Michael Saylor Says Strategy Still Won’t Break What Traders Might Do Next Some investors see present readings as an attractive entry point, while others prefer to wait for clearer confirmation from price and volume. Long-term holders often point to the underlying network metrics and institutional interest as reasons to remain optimistic, and their positions are being watched closely. Short-term players, by contrast, are taking a cautious stance, using stops, scaling entries, or sitting out until signals firm up. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
ETH’s recent gains lack fundamental support and may unwind as leveraged longs get squeezed, Matrixport says.
Crypto analyst CryptoCon has reaffirmed that a Bitcoin price rally to the $166,000 target is still in play. The analyst further revealed what needs to happen for the flagship crypto to reach this ambitious price target. What Determines The Bitcoin Price Rally To $166,000 In an X post, CryptoCon stated that the Bitcoin price simply needs to mirror its last year’s move in order to reach the next rung on this hyper-accurate extension in March. His accompanying chart showed that the next rung is at the $166,000 price level. Meanwhile, Bitcoin recorded a significant price rally between January 2024 and March 2024, a historical move CryptoCon believes the flagship crypto needs to mirror to reach this target. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Crash Not The End Of The Road As Analyst Shares Roadmap To $200,000 The analyst remarked that it might seem ridiculous, but he asserted that a run to this $166,000 target next month is not far-fetched. A few days ago, CryptoCoon predicted that the Bitcoin price could rally to $160,000 in the next thirty days, meaning it could hit this target by next month. These predictions undoubtedly provide some optimism, especially considering the downward pressure that the flagship crypto is currently facing. Meanwhile, CryptoCon also suggested that there was the possibility of the Bitcoin rally to $166,000 taking longer. However, he added that the cycle isn’t over, and this price target isn’t going anywhere, indicating that BTC will reach it in this bull market. Market experts like research firm Matrixport have also predicted that Bitcoin could rally to $160,000 this year. Meanwhile, asset manager Bitwise predicted that the Bitcoin price would rally to $200,000 this year. Standard Chartered also asserted that BTC reaching around $200,000 by year-end is achievable. State Of Things For BTC Crypto analyst CrediBULL Crypto provided some insights into the current Bitcoin price action. In an X post, he stated that BTC is still holding the higher timeframe support zone at $94,553. As long as BTC continues to hold this support zone, he expects some further consolidation around this area. Related Reading: Bitcoin 4th Wave Ends With Price Crash To $91,000, 5th Wave Shows $210,000 Is Coming The crypto analyst also drew attention to a potential PO3 that was forming for the Bitcoin price at these levels. He remarked that he would like to see a move below the lows at $94,100 and then reclaim and push to local supply right above the last local highs. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez also confirmed that the Bitcoin price is in a consolidation phase. He revealed that BTC’s accumulation trend score is zero, which signals a period of consolidation. The crypto analyst added that a shift in demand here could set the stage for the next big move. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $95,800, down over 2% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Tether USDt’s trading has wiped $100 billion since mid-December, but it “may be premature to turn bearish,” according to Matrixport.
Singapore-based crypto service provider Matrixport predicts that Bitcoin may reach as high as $160,000 by 2025. In a newly released report, titled Matrix on Target (Issue #2024-112), the firm outlines a scenario in which increased institutional adoption, macroeconomic evolution, and broadening global liquidity could push the leading cryptocurrency to unprecedented levels. Why Bitcoin Will Reach $160,000 In 2025 Matrixport’s research team notes that Bitcoin’s performance in 2024 exceeded multiple key price projections and validated their previous analytical frameworks. According to the report, this strength has been propelled by institutional investors who embraced the Bitcoin ETF market. These investors have “realized substantial gains, incentivizing further allocation as we move into 2025,” states Matrixport. The report highlights Bitcoin’s emergence as a portfolio component, underscoring that “our analysis recommends a 1.55% allocation to achieve optimal diversification while maintaining portfolio stability.” This approach reflects Bitcoin’s gradual integration into traditional investment strategies, as well as its evolving status as a macro-relevant asset. Related Reading: Bitcoin To $250,000, Ethereum To $12,000: Here’s When, Says VC CIO Looking ahead, Matrixport’s analysis emphasizes the approaching “8% adoption threshold” that could signal a turning point for Bitcoin. Drawing parallels to other technologies that experienced exponential growth once this threshold was crossed. “Historically, technologies that cross this mark, such as smartphones and social media, experience exponential growth driven by network effects and broader accessibility. As Bitcoin gains mainstream acceptance, it is poised to transition from a niche asset to a core component of global financial markets,” the firm forecasts. Matrixport also details a shift in market dynamics. Historically, Bitcoin’s cycles were defined by steep 80% retracements, but this pattern may be diminishing. The firm reports “a growing base of dip buyers and institutional support,” which it says reduces the probability of severe corrective phases. While temporary consolidations remain a part of market structure, Matrixport anticipates these to be “less pronounced, reflecting Bitcoin’s maturation as an asset class.” Regarding specific price forecasts, Matrixport outlines a “+60% upside” as the market progresses into 2025, culminating in a $160,000 price target for Bitcoin. The report attributes this target to “sustained demand for Bitcoin ETFs,” supportive macroeconomic conditions, and an expansion in global liquidity. Related Reading: Australia’s Biggest Pension Fund Makes Historic $17M Bitcoin Investment, A National First Matrixport’s proprietary Greed & Fear Index—a barometer for market sentiment—indicates stable conditions. The report claims that “the current consolidation phase may be shorter than previous ones,” with stabilized funding rates and normalized market conditions. In turn, the analysts see “the stage … set for renewed upward momentum.” Matrixport also calls attention to Bitcoin’s recent resilience, noting that “the swift recovery from recent overheated conditions” supports the notion that BTC price is well-positioned for another growth cycle. The overarching view remains optimistic. Matrixport concludes that “the outlook for 2025 remains bullish,” with Bitcoin’s track record as “an inflation hedge, and its integration into institutional portfolios suggest a transformative year ahead.” The firm concludes: “As adoption accelerates and the market matures, Bitcoin is positioned to achieve new all-time highs, further solidifying its role as a cornerstone of the global financial landscape.” At press time, BTC traded at $100,371. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Matrixport has completed its all-cash acquisition of Switzerland-based Crypto Finance Asset Management.
The blockchain financial service firm argued in January that a spot Bitcoin ETF would not be approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Reports swirled that the SEC was giving final comments to issuers and may approve multiple spot-based bitcoin ETF applications very soon.
Ether price dropped 14% as the entire crypto market sold-off, but derivatives data points to a silver lining.
Bitcoin cratered almost 10% below $41,000 early Wednesday around the time Matrixport's report about warning of a spot BTC ETF decline, but it was more likely due to a leverage flush as the market overheated, a K33 analyst said in an interview.
The crypto market sell-off on Wednesday coincided with the release of a skeptical report by Matrixport analysts on the approval of a Bitcoin spot ETF.
Mitchell Askew of Blockware Solutions said investors cashed in some profits during the end-of-December holiday period after a strong month.