Crypto Market Brief: February 21, 2026 Bitcoin maintains a steady footing near the **$68,000** threshold this Saturday, demonstrating notable resilience against a backdrop of complex macroeconomic shifts. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court recently striking down specific executive tariff powers, the broader climate of trade uncertainty continues to influence risk-asset sentiment. The primary digital asset is currently trading at approximately **$67,830**, navigating a period of intense consolidation. This stability comes even as the sector processes significant institutional movement, with spot Bitcoin ETFs recently recording roughly **$3.8 billion** in outflows over the last four weeks. Technical indicators suggest a tightening range for Bitcoin. Buyers are currently defending a critical support zone between **$65,000** and **$67,000**. On the upside, the asset faces immediate resistance at the **$70,000** psychological barrier, followed by a more formidable technical ceiling at **$73,750**. Ethereum is exhibiting similar consolidation patterns, holding firm near **$1,960**. The second-largest cryptocurrency is currently compressed within a symmetrical triangle pattern, a formation that often precedes a sharp breakout. While it remains below the key **$2,200** resistance level, active network addresses have stabilized as selling pressure from the U.S. market begins to ease. * **Bitcoin (BTC):** $67,830 (+0.35%) * **Ethereum (ETH):** $1,955 (+0.22%) * **Total Market Cap:** $2.3 Trillion Market participants are closely monitoring the derivatives landscape. Approximately **$2.4 billion** in Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired recently, with "max pain" points situated at **$70,000** and **$2,050** respectively. This positioning suggests a potential magnet effect that could pull prices toward these levels if volatility remains controlled. Altcoins have shown moderate strength, with the Fear & Greed Index hovering at an extreme low of **8**, historically a level where contrarian buyers begin to accumulate. While institutional demand has cooled from its early 2025 peaks, on-chain data reveals that long-term whale addresses continue to hold, providing a structural floor for the current market valuation. The near-term outlook remains dependent on upcoming U.S. PCE inflation data scheduled for late February. A sustained move above the **7-day moving average** near **$70,000** for Bitcoin would be required to neutralize the current short-term bearish structure and signal a renewed push toward previous highs.