26.02.2026 10:45
Cryptocurrency markets have been active with Bitcoin recovering to the $69,000 level. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Ripple (XRP) have risen. Coinbase (COIN) shares gained 14%.
Bitcoin (BTC) gained over 5% in the first half of the week, approaching the $70,000 mark and triggering a relief rally in the cryptocurrency market. This rise also brought significant increases in major altcoins such as Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). However, analysts warn that the market has not yet escaped the critical danger zone.
WIDESPREAD RECOVERY IN MARKETS
According to market data, the total value of the global cryptocurrency market increased by 5.2% in the last 24 hours, reaching $2.43 trillion. The leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin is trading around $68,250, while the largest altcoin Ethereum rose over 9% to $2,065. Other major altcoins also participated in this rise. Cardano (ADA) gained 11%, Solana (SOL) gained 7.3%, and Dogecoin (DOGE) gained 8.6%. Cryptocurrencies gained over 15% in value. In particular, the decentralized exchange token Uniswap (UNI) continued its rapid rise due to the impact of a governance vote news, surpassing the $4 level. Polkadot (DOT) is trading at around $1.60 with a 27% increase. Shares of cryptocurrency-related companies were also affected by the positive sentiment in the market, with Coinbase (COIN) shares gaining 14% in value.
ANALYSTS CAUTIOUS: IS THE RISE SUSTAINABLE?
Despite this sharp rise, analysts indicate that the current recovery may be a technical bounce rather than a sustainable bull trend. LMAX Group strategist Joel Kruger emphasized that the market being in an oversold region and the squeezing of short positions triggered this movement, but there is no clear fundamental catalyst. Similarly, on-chain data does not yet indicate a strong bull signal. According to CryptoQuant data, short-term investors are still selling at a loss, which may indicate a search for exit liquidity in the market.
On the institutional side, weakness continues. 13F data for the last quarter of 2025 shows that large investment funds are in a net selling position in Bitcoin ETFs. Analysts express that for a sustainable rise, institutional demand needs to revive, and Bitcoin must permanently surpass the critical resistance zone between $70,000 and $72,000. Markets will continue to closely monitor reactions from these levels and macroeconomic data.