New York, Feb 20, 2026, 13:02 EST — Regular session
- Bitcoin gained roughly 1.9%, changing hands near $67,590 after moving between $66,255 and $68,241.
- Spot bitcoin ETFs posted net outflows of $165.76 million on Feb. 19, stretching their withdrawal streak to five weeks.
- Up next: traders are eyeing the March 13 U.S. PCE inflation data, while Washington’s crypto bill developments are also on the radar.
Bitcoin pushed higher Friday, tacking on roughly 1.9% to reach $67,590. Earlier in the session, it slipped to $66,255—its low for the day. The cryptocurrency has been moving between $66,255 and $68,241 so far.
Bitcoin’s been tightly tracking U.S. rate bets—climbing with hopes for looser policy, slipping when traders pull back. Fresh outflows from spot bitcoin ETFs have only fueled the market’s jittery outlook on demand.
Spot bitcoin ETFs, which hold the cryptocurrency itself, posted net outflows of $165.76 million on Feb. 19, according to Decrypt. That pulls the current streak of withdrawals to just below $4 billion over the last five weeks. “It’s natural to see leveraged funds and short-term allocators reduce exposure,” said Brickken’s Enmanuel Cardozo. CEX.IO’s Illia Otychenko added that these redemptions have mostly “mirrored Bitcoin’s price action rather than caused it.” (Decrypt)
Minutes from the Federal Reserve out this week highlighted a division among policymakers after rates stayed at 3.50%-3.75% in late January. “Several” officials left the door open to more hikes if inflation doesn’t cool. “Policymakers are going in opposite directions,” said David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation. (Reuters)
New inflation numbers haven’t put the argument to rest. December’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index—favored by the Fed—was up 2.9% year over year. Core inflation landed at 3%. “This will trigger more concern inside the Fed that inflation needs a closer look again,” said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. (Investopedia)
Stocks pushed higher on a boost in risk appetite, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs. Traders, still digesting mixed signals from U.S. growth and inflation figures, kept an eye on the data. (Reuters)
A White House gathering focused on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act wrapped up in Washington without a breakthrough on stablecoin yields — the way dollar-linked tokens pay out returns remains unresolved. Still, participants said things moved forward. “The dialogue was constructive and the tone cooperative,” Coinbase chief legal officer Paul Grewal posted, according to CoinDesk. (Coindesk)
Shares of Coinbase Global moved up roughly 2%, with Strategy Inc advancing nearly 1.8% as of midday. Marathon Digital, focused on bitcoin mining, slipped about 1%. Ether, second only to bitcoin, climbed 2.4%.
Even so, there’s no clear catalyst fueling a lasting upswing, and sellers are jumping on any rebound. Gerry O’Shea, head of global market insights at Hashdex, told Barron’s that if sentiment remains sour, bitcoin might drop under $65,000. (Barron’s)
Investors are eyeing ETF flows for signs of stability, and keeping tabs on Washington’s efforts to move its crypto bill. The Bureau of Economic Analysis has the next U.S. personal income and outlays report, with PCE inflation numbers, lined up for March 13. (bea.gov)
