On February 18, 2026, from 15:30 to 15:45 (UTC), BTC recorded a 1.17% gain in the 15-minute candlestick, indicating a short-term rebound. During this period, market sentiment was extremely fearful, trading volume remained high, highlighting increased short-term volatility and attention.
The main drivers of this movement were changes in capital liquidity preferences and heightened risk aversion. Advances in Ethereum mainnet technology led to a reshuffling of the Layer 2 ecosystem, with valuation bubbles deflating, causing high-risk capital to flow out en masse and shift toward mainstream cryptocurrencies like BTC. Meanwhile, BTC served as a safe-haven anchor, attracting substantial short-term buying and enabling a rapid rebound at key support levels. Additionally, leverage expansion in the derivatives market played a significant role, with leading platforms like CME and open interest across the market continuing to grow, indicating institutional and professional funds amplifying short-term price fluctuations through leverage, thus boosting BTC’s short-term gains.
At the same time, multiple secondary factors created market resonance. First, at the industry level, Ethereum’s low-fee structure attracted attention, making mainstream coins the preferred safe-haven for funds. Second, frequent cross-chain bridge security incidents triggered capital migration from high-risk projects, further strengthening BTC’s inflow effect. Technically, BTC was at a critical support level; once supported by capital, an upward push could trigger active short-term trading. Moreover, the fear and greed index dropped to 12/100, reflecting extreme fear, with investors favoring short-term speculation, and liquidity and market sentiment amplifying volatility.
Although BTC gained 1.17% in this round, active short-term trading and leveraged positions still pose significant volatility risks. It is recommended to monitor subsequent support and resistance levels, on-chain major fund flows, and overall market sentiment evolution. Macro policies and industry technological changes may continue to influence market structure, so caution is advised against sudden sharp rises or falls in the short term. For more updates on BTC and the overall crypto market, stay tuned to real-time market information.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Manufacturing industry is also accumulating Bitcoin: GIGA holdings surpass 1,250 coins, and corporate Bitcoin reserves continue to expand.
GIGA Inc. has increased its Bitcoin holdings by 38.03 BTC again, bringing the total to 1252 BTC. This indicates that corporate Bitcoin reserve strategies are expanding from the tech sector to traditional manufacturing industries, as companies begin to incorporate Bitcoin due to inflation and financial diversification needs. This trend has strengthened investor confidence in Bitcoin.
GateNews9m ago
Russia cracks down hard on illegal Bitcoin mining: power theft farms raided, grid losses continue to grow
Russia has recently intensified its crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency mining, uncovering a case of electricity theft using the power grid, involving approximately $9,000 worth of electricity. Nevertheless, the Russian government has not completely banned the mining industry and plans to support compliant mining through regulations to curb the impact of underground mining on the power system.
GateNews23m ago
Gate Crazy Wednesday is now live! Complete tasks to earn XPIN and Global Travel Fund. USDT investment offers up to 100% annualized return. Stake BTC/ETH/SOL for up to 16% annualized return.
Gate News bot message, according to the official Gate announcement on March 11, 2026
Gate launches "Crazy Wednesday" event, running from 14:00 on March 11, 2026, to 16:00 on March 15, 2026(UTC+8). Users can unlock blind boxes by completing multiple tasks such as flash swaps, spot trading, and futures trading, with a chance to win XPIN tokens, Airbnb gift cards, and other prizes. The blind boxes guarantee a win.
During the event, Gate introduces USDT financial products with a 14-day fixed-term annualized yield of 8%. New users participating in 3-day fixed-term financial products can achieve an annualized yield of up to 100%. Additionally, cryptocurrencies like 0G, APT, AZTEC, IDOS, and others offer annualized yields of up to 300%. There are also staking activities for BTC, ETH, and SOL mining, offering a 5% bonus interest rate. Staking BTC can yield a maximum annualized return of 9.99%, staking ETH up to 9.75%, and staking SOL up to 16%.
GateAnnouncement26m ago
South Korea's crypto regulatory signals strengthen: selling Bitcoin, restricting stablecoin investments, and setting limits on exchange equity
South Korea has recently introduced three digital asset policies, involving Bitcoin disposal, stablecoin investment, and restrictions on exchange equity holdings. The rapid liquidation of Bitcoin by judicial authorities has attracted attention, while restrictions on stablecoin investments and proposals to limit shareholder ownership ratios have sparked controversy. The market interprets these as regulatory tightening, and the future policy direction remains to be seen.
GateNews39m ago
