On 21 February 2026, Capriole Fund founder Charles Edwards argued that Bitcoin's fair value should already be marked down by about 20% to reflect the rising threat from quantum computing. He warns that if the network fails to transition to quantum-resistant cryptography, a future "Q-Day" could expose 20–30% of the supply to theft and forced selling, potentially driving much steeper valuation discounts in the coming years.

Bitcoin sentiment remains deep in extreme fear, with the Fear & Greed Index at 7 and stuck in that zone for 22 straight days. BTC has struggled to recover, trading around $67,700 after a bounce from $60,000. Thresholds mark fear below 47, greed above 53, and extreme bands at 25 and 75.

According to Google Trends data cited by AOL Finance, searches for "Bitcoin is dead" and "Bitcoin is going to zero" have climbed to record levels while the asset trades around $67,713. Matrixport analysts describe sentiment as extremely weak, and Bloomberg Intelligence's Mike McGlone outlines scenarios ranging from sharp downside risk to potential inflection after fear peaks.

Bitcoin has moved sideways for over two weeks and has spent more than six weeks consolidating between $85k and $90k, after briefly pushing above $97k before reversing. According to CoinMarketCap, the Fear and Greed Index has dropped into extreme fear, while soft spot demand and ETF outflows leave momentum weak and put focus on whether $65k can hold into late March.

On 21 February 2026, developers and researchers reiterated that quantum computing is a distant threat to Bitcoin and Ethereum, not a current crisis. Bitcoin has slid about 46% from its October 2025 peak of $126,100 to roughly $67,000, while Ether is down around 58% to near $1,950; observers attribute recent moves to macro liquidity and capital shifts toward AI, rather than quantum fears.

Bitcoin remains under $70,000, and a fresh analysis warns the market may not be forming a durable base. The study highlights three overlapping pressures: fading equity momentum, a structurally lower-volatility and higher-correlation regime shaped by ETF flows, and a Federal Reserve stance that is steady but not supportive. Together, these factors keep downside risks elevated.

Macro analyst Lyn Alden said on a podcast published Thursday that an eventual peak in AI stock valuations could redirect capital into Bitcoin, which is still well below its October all-time high. She argued Bitcoin requires only a small influx of new demand to move higher, with long-term holders providing a price floor even as short-term traders exit.

Peter Schiff, chairman of Schiff Gold, tweeted yesterday that Bitcoin may slide toward $20,000 if its long-term $50k support gives way. On February 12, he said the cryptocurrency's "initial support" was around $10k. At press time, Bitcoin was near $68k after a failed move above $70k.