Bitcoin remains under pressure as market structure shifts toward a downtrend, with rebounds looking corrective and momentum subdued. On higher timeframes, price trades below major averages within a descending channel, with $60K acting as key support and $73K–$76K as near-term resistance. A reclaim of $75K–$80K would be needed to alter the broader bearish bias.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve's January 2026 meeting indicate officials would consider raising rates again if inflation remains above target, challenging earlier expectations for steady cuts. The Fed held the policy rate at 3.5%–3.75% after three reductions in late 2025, a stance that could weigh on Bitcoin and broader crypto markets as higher-for-longer rates threaten liquidity and ETF inflows.

On February 19, 2026, Blockstream CEO Adam Back declared on X that the future of finance will be built on Bitcoin and the company's Liquid sidechain network. Venture investor Anthony Pompliano also reiterated his belief on February 18, 2026, that if Bitcoin avoids going to zero, it could eventually reach $1,000,000 per coin, while BTC now trades at $66,872, about 47% below its $126,198 all-time high.

On February 19, analysts observed Bitcoin trading inside a descending intraday channel, with $67,400 acting as the main resistance level. The price is moving sideways within a tightening range, while a volatility squeeze signals a possible breakout zone. Bitcoin trades around $66,673.69, leaving traders focused on whether a move above or below this structure will define the next direction.

A cohort of self-custodied Bitcoin addresses holding 10–10,000 BTC with 1–3 month UTXOs is down 23.39%, equating to $27.89B in unrealized losses, according to GugaOnChain. U.S. ETFs have seen $8.5B in outflows since October as exposure fell by two-thirds since late 2024. Bitcoin trades just under $67,000 with mixed short-term momentum.

Bitcoin is trading close to $66,900 within a 24‑hour band of about $65,800 to $68,400, while derivatives markets show heavy long liquidations near the $66,000 support zone. At the World Liberty Financial Forum in Mar‑a‑Lago, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon disclosed he holds a small amount of Bitcoin, as attendees also highlighted a tokenized real‑estate loan deal for a Maldives resort tied to World Liberty Financial and Securitize.

On Wednesday, Glassnode reported that Bitcoin has slipped below its True Market Mean and is now moving toward the Realized Price of about $54,900, with spot and ETF demand remaining weak. The firm said the asset is in a controlled consolidation phase, while the Accumulation Trend Score and negative Spot CVD show sellers dominate order flow. Bitcoin briefly dipped under $66,000 in late Wednesday trading and failed to hold $67,000 on Thursday in Asia, reinforcing a bearish outlook.

David Bailey, Chairman and CEO of Bitcoin treasury firm Nakamoto (Nasdaq: NAKA), has rejected scam accusations after the company’s stock plunged 99% from its May peak. Following a merger with KindlyMD and subsequent acquisitions of BTC Inc. and UTXO Management, critics have raised concerns over preferential share pricing, opaque transactions, and overcollateralized loans tied to 5,765 BTC, while broader Bitcoin treasury demand has also weakened after a brief January recovery.