Dogecoin and Ethereum outperform Bitcoin as crypto market falls under $2.4 trillion
February 18, 2026
Digital currencies experienced a mixed bag in recent trading, with notable variations among major players. While Bitcoin saw a modest 1.4% drop to hover around the $67,500 mark, Dogecoin and Ethereum managed to buck the trend and post gains. Retail sentiment on major trading platform Stocktwits shifted towards a more bearish outlook, likely influenced by the crypto market’s broad decline. Over $195 million worth of crypto positions were liquidated within 24 hours, with most losses attributed to long positions.
The slight pullback in Bitcoin prices correlated with a broader downturn in software stocks, shedding light on the intertwined relationship between digital assets and traditional markets. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) witnessed a 2.19% decline, indicative of investor caution amidst industry headwinds. Factors such as increased competition from artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have weighed on tech sector performance, prompting a dip in retail sentiment towards the software ETF.
Given the impending release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes, market participants adopted a cautious stance awaiting insights into future interest rate decisions. Speculation on potential dovish or hawkish shifts in Fed policy added to the overall market uncertainty, amplifying sentiment swings in asset classes. The outcome of the FOMC meeting sparked anticipation among traders, who sought guidance from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other policymakers on future monetary policy adjustments.
In contrast to Bitcoin’s modest dip, Dogecoin and Ethereum remained resilient, managing to secure upward momentum amidst the broader market downturn. Dogecoin gained 0.7% to hit $0.1012, showcasing relative strength against the prevailing market sentiment. Ethereum, hovering below the $2,000 threshold at roughly $1,994, also showcased resilience in the face of market headwinds. Despite remaining below key price levels, both assets demonstrated resilience compared to other cryptocurrencies facing negative price movements.
Retail sentiment around Dogecoin maintained a bullish tone, underscored by heightened chatter levels, signaling continued interest and optimism among traders. On the other hand, Ethereum sentiment remained bearish, despite modest price gains, indicating potential divergence between price performance and sentiment indicators. Amid speculation of market manipulation and broader industry trends, traders navigated a complex landscape, weighing varying factors influencing digital currency prices.
The broader crypto market experienced mixed movements, with major altcoins like Ripple’s XRP, Solana (SOL), Binance Coin (BNB), and Cardano (ADA) registering varying degrees of decline. Ripple’s XRP dipped 0.3%, while other digital assets faced more substantial price drops. Liquidations totaling around $195 million highlighted heightened volatility, with more long positions being wiped out compared to shorts, suggesting conflicting market sentiments. As traders assessed the evolving landscape, digital currencies continued to experience flux, underscored by nuanced price movements across major assets.
