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Bitcoin price steadies as ETF inflows hit $500m after dip

Last updated February 26, 2026
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Crypto Markets Shake Off Dip as Older Money Returns to Bitcoin ETFs

Bitcoin steadied near $78,300 on Thursday. After a bruising start to the week. When it briefly slipped. To about $74,500. The price action looked ugly. On screens. Yet the tape told a calmer story.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs logged roughly $500 million. Of net inflows. As older investors bought the pullback. Even as traders fretted over geopolitics. Additionally, shutdown chatter. Furthermore, the familiar slog. Of US crypto rulemaking.

That contrast matters. Price drops often trigger forced selling. In perpetuals. While ETF inflows tend to reflect something different. Slower money. Additionally, less levered money. Therefore, the rebound had a different feel. From the usual short squeeze. Meanwhile, options desks watched whether the bounce could repair damage. From earlier liquidation waves.

Bitcoin’s February Range Turns Into a Referendum

Technicians have turned February into something. A tug of war. Between two clear zones. On the downside, several desks now frame $74,000 differently. As the first line. That bulls must defend.

However, if macro pressure intensifies? Some chart-watchers argue something. Bitcoin could probe $68,000. Veteran trader Peter Brandt has also pointed to something. A bearish wedge setup. That, in his view, could drag prices. Into a $58,000-$62,000 pocket.

Upside Targets

On the upside, traders keep circling $82,000-$85,000. A clean break through that area could pull in momentum buyers. Additionally, reopen talk. Of a run to $89,000-$90,000.

Meanwhile, the forecasting circus remains split. Some models cluster around the high $70,000s. By month-end. Others lean to something else. A fresh push into the low $80,000s. While bears keep whispering about $72,500.

ETF Flow Significance

ETF flow watchers noted another important tell. After several sessions of waning demand? Spot funds finally posted something. Their first net inflow. In about five days. Therefore, even if Bitcoin chops around? A steady bid in ETFs could limit something. How far a dip can run. Before bargain hunters reappear.

Altcoin Chatter Shifts to Payment Pitches and Presale Promises

Elsewhere, the day’s loudest talk centered on Remittix. A presale token. Trading under the ticker RTX. In promotional material. Supporters claim something. The project aims at consumer payments. With an iOS app already live. Additionally, an Android release promised soon.

However, the market has seen many “payments” tokens struggle. Once the initial listings arrive.

Price Projection Reality Check

Price forecasts for RTX vary wildly. Ranging from mid-single-digit multiples. To grand claims. Of 10x. Or even 100x. That spread is the point. When predictions diverge that far? They usually tell you less about destiny. Rather, more about positioning.

Year Low Avg High
2026 $0.17 $0.23 $0.28
2027 $0.25 $0.35 $0.44
2030 $0.74 $0.89 $1.04

In practice, traders treat presale tokens differently. Like event-driven trades. Therefore, liquidity matters. Additionally, lockups matter. Furthermore, listing terms matter. More than any spreadsheeted “2030 high”. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s direction still dictates something. Whether risk appetite expands enough. For small caps to catch a lasting bid.

Prediction Markets and Derivatives Try to Go Mainstream

Speculation also moved beyond spot coins. Hyperliquid rolled out something. An “Outcome Trading” testnet. As the sector pushes harder. Into prediction-style markets. Meanwhile, Cboe has revived interest. In binary-style products. A nod to the growing pull. Of platforms. That let traders express blunt views. Yes-or-no views.

In XRP-linked derivatives? One feed showed futures netflow jumping 749%. Over a short window. However, open interest sat near 2024 lows. Which suggests something. Positioning may still be light. Despite the headline burst. In activity.

Trump’s Crypto Orbit Adds Another Layer of Noise

Politics also seeped into the day’s price action. Donald Trump pushed back on chatter. Around a $500 million Abu Dhabi-linked stake. Tied to World Liberty Financial. While traders tried to parse something. What that could mean. For any stablecoin ambitions. In that ecosystem.

However, macro traders remain wary. Of mixing campaign theater. With tradeable signals.

Meanwhile, the Tape Stays Busy

ING’s German arm broadened access. To crypto ETPs. Linked to BTC. Additionally, ETH. Furthermore, SOL. Moreover, XRP.

Cathie Wood’s Ark added about $32.7 million. Of Robinhood shares.

Tether. Additionally, Opera touted MiniPay work. Tied to USDT. Furthermore, gold-linked features.

By the Numbers

$78,300: Bitcoin’s level after the rebound

$74,500: This week’s dip area

$500 million: Reported net spot ETF inflows from dip-buyers

$82,000-$85,000: Near-term breakout zone watched by momentum desks

$58,000-$62,000: Deeper support zone cited by bearish chart readers

Key Takeaways

ETF inflows can cushion downside. Why? Because they represent slower money. Additionally, unlevered demand.

Watch $74,000 for the next stress test. Yet respect $82,000-$85,000. As the line that flips narrative.

Presale tokens may move on listings. Additionally, lockups. So treat long-range targets as marketing.

Binary products are spreading. Additionally, outcome products. But liquidity still decides what is tradeable.

If Bitcoin chops, altcoins may rally briefly. Yet they often fail to hold. Without a clear BTC trend.


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