On Feb. 18, crypto ETFs saw mixed flows, with Bitcoin products posting about $133.3 million in net outflows and Ethereum funds recording roughly $41.8 million in redemptions. Solana attracted about $2.0 million, while XRP shed around $2.21 million, as spot prices eased to $66,883.15 for BTC and $1,969.49 for ETH.

In February 2026, nine major crypto exchanges stand out for liquidity, product range, and evolving features, from hybrid CEX–DEX models to institutional services. Platforms like BYDFi, Swapuz, Uphold, BTCC, Bitget, Coinbase, WhiteBIT, Kraken, and LBank cater to different needs, including derivatives, multi-asset access, and early token discovery. Traders are focusing more on fees, transparency, and infrastructure while navigating a market that continues to mature.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $133.3 million in net outflows on Wednesday, taking weekly losses to $238 million, with BlackRock's IBIT accounting for $84 million, according to SoSoValue. Trading volumes slipped below $3 billion as sentiment stayed in "Extreme Fear" and BTC traded near $67,058, down about 24% year-to-date. Solana ETFs extended a six-day inflow streak, lifting year-to-date gains to roughly $113 million.

On 19 February 2026, market data showed a sharp rotation of liquidity from altcoins into Bitcoin, with altcoin volumes on Binance falling close to 50% from November levels. Bitcoin’s share of exchange activity has risen to around 58–60% and whales have acquired over 100,000 BTC in 2026, helping to support prices between $65,000 and $72,000. At the same time, macro uncertainty and spot ETF outflows have contributed to a cautious, defensive stance among crypto investors.

At its late-January Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the United States Federal Reserve left rates at 3.5%–3.75% but noted that further hikes could be warranted if inflation remains above target. The minutes show some policymakers prefer to hold rates steady for longer and see no case for additional easing until disinflation clearly resumes. A return to tighter policy would typically weigh on crypto markets by lifting yields on safer assets and making borrowing more expensive.

On Feb. 12, three researchers linked to the U.S. Federal Reserve published a paper arguing that prediction market Kalshi can capture macroeconomic expectations in real time more effectively than traditional tools. The authors said Kalshi's intraday trading data could be used to derive risk-neutral probability distributions of Federal Open Market Committee rate decisions, although the paper is only intended to stimulate discussion rather than guide policy.

Ethereum is attempting to stabilize close to the $2,000 zone after a sharp correction from above $2,700, while Bitcoin trades in a tight band between roughly $66,000 and $70,000. XRP has rebounded toward the $1.45–$1.50 area but remains below key moving averages, leaving the token vulnerable to a prolonged low‑volatility range if support fails. Technical signals across all three assets point to fragile recoveries and the potential for extended consolidation phases.

At Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE conference in Hong Kong on Feb. 12, industry leaders focused on Bitcoin's exposure to quantum computing, looming US regulation and the path to trillion-dollar crypto infrastructure. Tron founder Justin Sun urged the sector to get ready for artificial general intelligence, while investors and executives debated how to price quantum risk into Bitcoin and how far the US CLARITY Act could reshape the regulatory landscape.