Crypto Market Update Feb 18: BTC Holds $67K While ETH Slips Below $2K

Crypto Market Update Today: Trending Coin RPL and SIREN Surge Over 50%

Key Highlights:

• The overall capitalization dropped by 1.4% to 2.39T, which indicates a pessimistic mood.

• The share of Bitcoin remained high at 56.1%, and Ethereum had 9.98% of the share.

• Fear & Greed Index fell to 8, indicating extreme fear.

Overall Crypto Market Update, 18 Feb 2026: The cryptocurrency declined amid a weaker mood, price declines, and regulatory news, but Bitcoin dominance remained high, and trading volumes were relatively steady.

Major Crypto Market Events Today

Source: Forex Factory

Crypto Market Last 24 Hours Update: Prices, Volume & Trends

The global cryptocurrency market today reached a capitalization of $2.39 trillion, noted a 1.4% downturn in the last 24 hours, whereas Total trading volume recorded at $94.4 billion.

Bitcoin’s (BTC) dominance over the industry remains intense, with 56.1%, while Ethereum (ETH) carries 9.98%. The largest gainers of the industry are Polkadot and XRP Ledger Ecosystem in the past day.

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis:

(Note: BTC and ETH are often viewed as less volatile historically, but still risky. The data recorded from CoinMarketCap)

• Bitcoin (BTC) price today reached $67183.44, fell 2.49% in the last 24-H, with a trading volume of $34.25 billion and a market cap of $1.34 trillion.

• Ethereum (ETH) price today is at $1975.71, slips 1.29% in 24-H with a trading volume of $20.79 billion and a market cap of $238.55 billion.

Top Trending Crypto Coins Price in 24 Hours:

(Trending data is based on a combination of 24-hour price movement, trading volume, and CoinMarketCap.com trending metrics.)

• Bitcoin price (BTC): $67,171.57, down 2.51% in the last 24 hours, trading volume (TV): $34.37B.

• Ethereum price (ETH): $1,976.98, down 1.26%, TV: $20.92B.

• Merlin Chain price (MERL): $0.06308, down 2.36%, TV: $561.84M.

• Orca price (ORCA): $1.28, up 21.45%, TV: $348.67M.

• World Mobile Token price (WMTX): $0.07977, up 0.26%, TV: $1.72B.

Top 3 Crypto Gainers in 24 hours:

(Ranked by 24-hour percentage gain)

• Morpho price today (MORPHO): $1.51, rises 11.19%, trading activity $29.92 million.

• Pi price today (PI): $0.1861, climbs 7.22%, trading activity $26.42 million.

• MemeCore price today (M): $1.53, gains 6.97%, trading activity $12.16 million.

Top 3 Crypto Losers in 24 hours

(Ranked by 24-hour percentage loss)

• Pippin price (PIPPIN): $0.4957, up 22.97%, trading activity around $77.92 million.

• MYX Finance price (MYX): $1.45, rises 22.54%, with trading volume near $41.05 million.

• LayerZero price (ZRO): $1.57, gains 9.91%, trading activity close to $50.59 million.

Stablecoins and Defi Update:

• Stablecoins reflects 0.3% negative change over the past 24 hours, with a market capitalization of $308 billion and trading volume of $72.6 billion.

• The Overall (Defi) Decentralized Finance market declined 1.8% over the last 24 hours, recording a market cap of $50 billion and trading volume (TV) at $3.6 billion. Defi dominance globally marked 2.1%.

Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index Today

Source: Alternative Me

Today’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index shows 8, signaling extreme fear after market declines, liquidations, and regulatory uncertainty. Yesterday scored 10, last week 11, while last month’s 44 indicates sentiment deterioration. Historically, extreme fear precedes rebounds. 

Latest Crypto Market News Today, February 18, 2026

(Note: All of these updates have an effect on traders, as they affect liquidity,  sentiment, and potential returns, and thus have to be monitored closely.)

1. Bitwise Files for Election Prediction Market ETF: Bitwise has applied for a prediction markets ETF tracking 2028 U.S. presidential and midterm contracts, while launching PredictionShares to expand investor exposure.

2. Coinbase Stablecoin Revenue Surpasses Circle: According to Michael Nadeau of The DeFi Report, Coinbase earns major revenue from its USDC interest partnership with Circle, contributing 19% revenue to its 2025 earnings.

3. Pumpfun Updates Creator Fee Model: Pumpfun will require creators to choose between Creator Fees or Trader Cashback before launch, permanently locking the option to improve fairness and prevent misuse of rewards.

4. Thiel Exits ETHZilla Stake: Peter Thiel and Founders Fund disposed of all their interests in ETHZilla Corporation before the end of 2025, as disclosed in an SEC filing, making them have zero ownership under Schedule 13G disclosure requirements.

5. BlackRock Staked Ethereum ETF Filing Discloses Fees: James Seyffart writes that the Ethereum ETF filing by BlackRock was staked with 0.25% annual expense ratio, with BlackRock receiving 18% staking rewards fee each year on behalf of investors.

6. CFTC Indicates Crypto Bill Passage in the Near Future: The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman reported that the crypto structure bill is on the verge of approval, which will guarantee a stable regulation of the markets.

Comparative Insight

Compared to Feb 17, when the crypto market cap rose to $2.43T with Bitcoin near $68.8K and Ethereum above $2,000, today’s update shows a decline to $2.39T, falling prices, and weaker sentiment. The Fear & Greed Index dropped from 10 to 8, signaling deeper caution, lower momentum, and increased short-term uncertainty overall.

What This Means for Cryptocurrency Users

The condition is an indicator of cautious trading, reduced investor confidence, and possible volatility. Nevertheless, high Bitcoin dominance and consistent trading volume indicate temporary uncertainty and negative sentiment indicators.

Risk Context: This commentary is not about long-term conditions and is simply informational. It does not indicate the direction of the price or demonstrate an action to be taken on investment.

CoinGabbar’s Opinion

The current environment appears short-term risky but strategically important. Extreme fear often signals uncertainty, yet historically, such phases can present accumulation opportunities for patient investors who manage risk carefully and avoid emotional trading decisions.

Disclosure: This is informational only and should not be taken as financial or investment advice. The cryptocurrencies is very volatile and risky. Never invest without doing some research and seeking advice from a qualified financial advisor. Not every area is able to provide some of the discussed services or assets.