**Crypto Market Brief: February 17, 2026** **Bitcoin Consolidates Below Key Resistance** Bitcoin continues to trade in a tight range, currently hovering near **$68,355** after a failed attempt to reclaim the psychological **$70,000** level. The asset is undergoing what analysts describe as "orderly deleveraging," with futures open interest dropping significantly. Despite the pullback, Bitcoin holds above critical moving averages, though year-to-date performance signals one of the weakest first quarters since **2018**. **Altcoin Mixed Performance** Ethereum has dipped below the **$2,000** mark, trading around **$1,985** amid net ETF outflows and cooling institutional demand. In contrast, select major altcoins are decoupling with gains. XRP has surged to approximately **$1.47**, and BNB is trading firmly around **$628**. However, the meme coin sector remains under pressure, with Dogecoin sliding to **$0.10**. **Market Sentiment & Key Drivers** The total cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at **$2.35 trillion**, reflecting a consolidation phase rather than a structural breakdown. **Latest Developments** * **ETF Expansion:** Trump-linked *Truth Social* has reportedly filed for new ETFs tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cronos, potentially injecting new political and institutional narratives into the market. * **Macro Headwinds:** With U.S. inflation sticking at **2.4%** and Federal Reserve rates holding near **3.75%**, risk assets face continued pressure from a "higher for longer" monetary stance. * **Institutional Flows:** While retail speculation has cooled, institutional activity is shifting toward regulated products, though recent days have seen mixed flows for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Traders remain cautious, awaiting the next major catalyst—likely from upcoming Federal Reserve minutes or regulatory shifts—to break the current indecision.