Last updated on February 26th, 2026 at 05:16 pm
Bitcoin (BTC) has remained rangebound between $64,000 and $67,000 following recent liquidation events, as the broader macroeconomic environment continues to reshape risk appetite for crypto.
Analysts note that the market is experiencing a structural shift driven by simultaneous pressures from AI-driven disruption and slowbalization, leaving digital assets trading as high-beta instruments alongside technology equities.
— Wintermute (@wintermute_t) February 24, 2026
AI rerate and deglobalization shake market sentiment
Recent developments in artificial intelligence, including U.S. FY25 earnings and new model releases by Anthropic, have forced investors to reassess growth projections across software and hardware sectors. “The easy AI trade is over for now,” says Wintermute OTC trader JJay DM, noting that sector-specific disruption is compressing growth multiples and increasing volatility..
Simultaneously, structural trade tensions in the U.S. highlight a permanent shift in supply chain dynamics. With tariffs no longer viewed as temporary, input costs and geopolitical risks remain elevated, reinforcing deglobalization trends. Both factors are pressuring the valuation premium embedded in globally-integrated, software-driven growth businesses. Traditional “Fed put” expectations are weakening, leaving crypto exposed as a high-beta growth asset in the current macro regime.
Crypto faces tight ranges and weak institutional demand
BTC’s repeated failures to reclaim $70,000 underscore the lack of a strong recovery bid, while Ethereum (ETH) recently tested the $1,900 support level, with traders eyeing $1,600 as a critical psychological threshold. Institutional flows remain muted, with derivatives indicating elevated put skew, declining open interest, and limited directional conviction.
While high-net-worth investors briefly explored selective altcoins mid-week, protective positioning dominated, signalling that the market is prioritizing risk management over speculative accumulation. Analysts caution that whether this macro regime proves temporary or structurally sticky will be the defining factor for crypto performance throughout 2026, particularly as the AI rerate and deglobalization narrative continues to unfold.
Expert opinions
Market sentiment is showing caution as Bitcoin faces key levels. One observer noted that liquidity above $70,000 looks heavy, suggesting that the highs are crowded and it may only be a matter of time before the price moves to test them. Rather than chasing, some traders are waiting for proper confirmations before entering long positions, emphasizing the importance of patience and risk management.
Liquidity stacked above 70K is looking thick
Those highs are packed, and it feels like a matter of time before price goes hunting. I’m starting to patiently look for long entries on proper confirmation rather than chasing.Stay sharp, manage risk, and let the setup come to you pic.twitter.com/fzlo9IJKrC
— CryptoStalker (@CSRcoinOfficial) February 24, 2026
Another update highlights Bitcoin’s current vulnerability: losing $65,500 at yesterday’s close could mark a significant shift, as this level had served as support for the past two weeks. This morning, BTC tested $62,800, the support established during the previous crash to $60,000.
Early Asia trading saw Bitcoin slip below $65,000, triggering roughly $230 million in long liquidations amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. Traders are closely watching these levels for potential rebounds or further downside.
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