Bitcoin Flat, Ethereum, XRP Gain, While Dogecoin Slides

Analyst Explains Why 'Most Awful' Periods Could Be Best Time To Accumulate Crypto

Feb. 17, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Leading cryptocurrencies traded flat on Monday amid thin liquidity due to the holiday, while gold and silver declined. Bitcoin pushed to an intraday high of $70,060 but met strong resistance, sending it back to the $68,000 range. Ethereum crept up to $2,000 overnight, even though trading volume plunged 40% over the last 24 hours. XRP and Solana moved sideways. Over $215 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for the majority of the losses.

Why it matters

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a period of volatility, with Bitcoin and other major coins trading flat or declining. This highlights the ongoing uncertainty and risk in the crypto space, which could present opportunities for long-term investors to accumulate assets at potentially discounted prices.

The details

Bitcoin's market dominance shrank to 58.3%, while Ethereum's share contracted 2.16% to 10.2%. The "Extreme Fear" sentiment prevailed in the market, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index. Stock futures inched higher on Monday evening, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures lifting 68 points, or 0.14%, as of 7:36 p.m. EDT. Previous metals retreated, as spot gold eased 0.44% to trade at $4,968 an ounce, while silver slid 2.10% to $75.16.

  • Bitcoin pushed to an intraday high of $70,060 on Monday.
  • Over $215 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours.

The players

Michaël van de Poppe

A widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader.

CryptoQuant

A blockchain analytics firm that noted the Bitcoin Adjusted Spent Output Profit Ratio indicator has plunged to a level that historically marked "major bear market stress points".

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What they’re saying

“That tells that this is a period to accumulate crypto. Sometimes the 'most awful' periods could be the best time to accumulate.”

— Michaël van de Poppe, Cryptocurrency analyst and trader

The takeaway

The current volatility in the cryptocurrency market, with major coins trading flat or declining, could present opportunities for long-term investors to accumulate assets at potentially discounted prices. However, the ongoing uncertainty and risk in the crypto space highlight the importance of careful analysis and risk management for investors.