Crypto Focus - February 13, 2026 (Morning)

 ## Crypto Market Overview Overnight, the cryptocurrency market experienced a predominantly risk-off sentiment as investors reacted to macroeconomic data and ongoing regulatory concerns. The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies has seen a slight decline, hovering around $1.1 trillion. Bitcoin's dominance remains relatively stable at approximately 42%, indicating that Bitcoin continues to lead the market despite fluctuations in other altcoins. Key narratives influencing the market today include concerns over inflation impacting risk assets and the ongoing discussions regarding regulatory frameworks for digital assets. Market analysts note that participants are particularly cautious following recent data indicating a rise in US core CPI, which could signal tighter monetary policy ahead. This has led to a degree of profit-taking across various cryptocurrencies, as traders seek to mitigate risk in response to potential macroeconomic headwinds. ## Bitcoin Analysis **$BTC** deep dive: - Bitcoin traded around $24,000, experiencing fluctuations between $23,500 and $24,500 overnight. Key support is identified at $23,000, while resistance is noted at $25,000, creating a tight trading range. - There were no notable ETF flows reported for **IBIT**, **FBTC**, or **GBTC**, indicating a lull in institutional appetite for Bitcoin-related investment vehicles. - On-chain metrics suggest a decline in whale activity, with reduced exchange inflows hinting at a possible consolidation phase. This could indicate that larger investors are awaiting clearer market direction before committing to significant transactions. - Today's trading will focus on maintaining support around $23,000; if broken, a deeper pullback may ensue. ## Ethereum & Layer 1s **$ETH** and major L1 developments: - Ethereum's price has remained stable around $1,800, reflecting a broader market trend with minor fluctuations between $1,750 and $1,850. The network continues to see healthy transaction volumes, but activity is slowing in anticipation of the upcoming Shanghai upgrade. - **$SOL** has experienced increased activity within its ecosystem, with several new DeFi projects launching on its blockchain. This has driven a slight uptick in Solana's transaction volume, although price action remains subdued, trading near $15. - No significant updates were reported for **$ADA**, **$AVAX**, or **$DOT** that would impact market sentiment or developments in their respective ecosystems. ## Altcoin Watch Notable altcoin developments overnight: - **$XRP** continues to draw attention as ongoing legal proceedings with the SEC remain unresolved, creating uncertainty for investors despite its recent performance. - In the meme coin space, **$DOGE** and **$SHIB** have seen minor trading activity, with no significant updates influencing their price movements. - **$LINK** has started to gain traction as discussions around decentralized oracles gain momentum in the DeFi community. However, price action remains largely flat. - **$ARB** and **$MATIC** have experienced increased interest due to ongoing projects building on their respective Layer 2 solutions, but no major price movements were noted. ## DeFi & Protocols No significant updates were reported regarding DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Aave, or Lido. However, trading volumes on decentralized exchanges (DEX) have shown a slight increase, attributed to ongoing developments in the DeFi sector. Stablecoin usage remains robust, with **USDT** and **USDC** maintaining their positions as preferred mediums for trading. ## Regulatory & Institutional The regulatory landscape remains a focal point for the crypto market, with ongoing discussions surrounding the SEC's approach to digital assets. Investors are closely monitoring potential regulatory changes that could impact market dynamics. ETF news is muted, with no new approvals or significant movements reported, leading to a cautious approach among institutional investors. ## Crypto Trading Game Plan - Key levels to watch: **$BTC** support at $23,000 and resistance at $25,000; **$ETH** support around $1,750 and resistance at $1,850. - Coins with momentum: **$SOL** shows promise due to ecosystem developments, while **$LINK** may benefit from increasing DeFi interest. - Risk factors for today: Potential macroeconomic impacts from inflation data could force a risk-off sentiment, leading to increased volatility. - Market cycle positioning: Focus on defensive positions in BTC and ETH while exploring altcoins with strong fundamentals in the DeFi space.