New York, Feb 22, 2026, 12:08 ET — Market closed
- Bitcoin slipped during weekend trading as tariff and rate headlines resurfaced.
- Friday wrapped up with U.S. spot bitcoin ETF flows swinging back into the green.
- Fed commentary and fresh U.S. data are on traders’ radar when markets resume Monday.
Bitcoin dropped roughly 1% Sunday to trade near $67,580, moving within a range of $67,327 to $68,621 during the last 24 hours. Ether declined 1.8%, now sitting at $1,950. Crypto stocks in the U.S. could draw attention again Monday, with Coinbase finishing 3.3% higher and Strategy up 1.2% in Friday’s session.
Bitcoin lingered at the bottom of its narrow recent range over the weekend, shrugging off the volatility that rattled broader markets on trade policy news. The cryptocurrency slipped for a short stretch Saturday after President Donald Trump announced plans to raise a temporary global tariff rate to 15%, but steadied later, Investing.com reported. (Investing.com)
This is relevant now with U.S. markets closed, leaving crypto as one of the only liquid risk proxies operating over the weekend. Bitcoin’s moves frequently set the tone come Monday—the initial price action can spill into tech stocks and high-growth shares once Wall Street kicks back into gear.
Trade policy is carrying most of the load right now. After the Supreme Court tossed out a wide chunk of Trump’s tariffs, he didn’t waste time—hours later, he hit all imports with a fresh 10% tariff and kicked off new trade probes that could pile on even more duties, according to Reuters. By the following day, that new tariff jumped to 15%, the legal ceiling, keeping traders on their toes. “The uncertainty, in his view, just gives him enormous additional leverage beyond the actual tariffs,” said Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade official who’s now at the Asia Society Policy Institute. (Reuters)
Uncertainty is on the Fed’s radar too. St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem noted that companies transitioning from tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to a new tariff structure may enter “a period of uncertainty.” He said he intends to ask CEOs directly how they’re managing the change. (Reuters)
U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs are drawing attention as a gauge of near-term appetite, with Farside Investors reporting net inflows of $88.1 million on Feb. 20. BlackRock’s IBIT brought in $64.5 million, while Fidelity’s FBTC saw $23.6 million. That comes after the prior day’s net outflows of $165.8 million. (farside.co.uk)
The rate environment remains a factor. On Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation metric, climbed 0.4% in December. That puts it 2.9% higher than a year ago. Core PCE, which strips out food and energy, posted a 3.0% year-on-year increase. (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
Next week could jolt a market that’s been drifting, packed as it is with key events. Fed Governor Christopher Waller is set to speak Monday, followed by Trump’s State of the Union on Tuesday. Investors will also watch for consumer confidence numbers and the S&P Case-Shiller home price index. Capping the week: “wholesale inflation” figures coming Friday. (Investopedia)
Even so, thin weekend trading often amplifies swings. Bitcoin tends to retrace some of these initial moves when fuller markets return. Should new tariff news hit, or if Fed officials sound more hawkish, sentiment could flip fast—sending prices sliding below recent support.
Monday’s U.S. reopening shapes up as the first real hurdle for traders. Waller’s Feb. 23 comments and any fresh tariff headlines are in the mix, and after the bell, they’ll be watching for the latest spot bitcoin ETF flows.
