Wednesday, February 18, 2026
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Market Rout Spills Over From Global Macro Stress

A sharp sell‑off in precious metals markets triggered a wider market downturn, hitting risk assets across equities and crypto. Silver dropped sharply, followed by gold, which helped spark broader declines in major Asian indices and pressure on cryptocurrencies, with both Bitcoin and Ether retreating amid the volatility.

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading below US$80,000, (US$78,579 at the time of writing) continuing a broader slump that has dominated digital assets over recent sessions. Short‑term moves show BTC weakening as risk‑off sentiment persists. BTC’s declines have been mirrored by other major coins, with Ethereum and altcoins also under pressure.

Analysts cited cascading sell‑offs and deleveraging as key drivers of the recent contraction, with margin calls and reduced liquidity amplifying downside pressure across markets.

Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget, believes that the sharp drop in Bitcoin and Ethereum is primarily driven by ongoing negative sentiments in the crypto space followed by the pullbacks in gold and precious metals as a classic correction.

“The ongoing uncertainty from the new Fed chair, and broader macro liquidity concerns, marks this as a deleveraging event amplified by a macro shock rather than a structural shift,” he added.

Ryan pointed out that the buying power in the crypto ecosystem still remains strong. He, however, warns that short-term risks from cascading liquidations could exacerbate volatility, emphasizing the need for resilient infrastructure and risk management to foster sustainable industry growth.

“For Bitcoin, I anticipate short-term oscillations between $70,000-$80,000 with potential downside spikes due to thin liquidity, while Ethereum may range widely from $1,800-$2,600. Stabilization could be confirmed by a rebound in the Fear & Greed Index above 40 and reduced liquidation volumes, whereas further downside might be signaled by persistent outflows from spot ETFs,” Ryan added.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment adviceRead our Editorial PolicyParts of this article were drafted/ researched with the assistance of AI tools and subsequently reviewed, edited, and verified by the author and our editorial team to ensure accuracy and journalistic integrity. The final version reflects human editorial judgment and fact-checking. Read our AI Policy.

Image Credits: Canva

Rakhi Shah
Rakhi Shahhttps://blockfirms.com/
Rakhi Shah is Founder and Editor at BlockFirms. She is an experienced technology journalist and has covered digital assets, and emerging financial systems, with a focus on how innovation reshapes markets, institutions, and economic access. You can reach her at rshah@blockfirms.com.
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