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Bitcoin Market Sentiment Shifts as Whales Sell and Bears Face Liquidation

Retail optimism fades, but institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picks up

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The Bitcoin market is experiencing a significant shift in sentiment, with retail optimism fading and institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picking up. According to Santiment, a cryptocurrency analytics...

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    Bitcoin Sell Pressure Is Easing, But Whales Keep Dumping on Exchanges: CryptoQuant

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⛓️ Chain Signal

Bitcoin Market Sentiment Shifts as Whales Sell and Bears Face Liquidation

Retail optimism fades, but institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picks up

Saturday, February 21, 2026 • 3 min read • 5 source references

  • 3 min read
  • 5 source references

The Bitcoin market is experiencing a significant shift in sentiment, with retail optimism fading and institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picking up. According to Santiment, a cryptocurrency analytics firm, Bitcoin "retail optimism is fading," which may be a healthy indicator as sentiment returns to neutral territory.

This shift in sentiment is reflected in the price, which has been under pressure in recent weeks. Bitcoin is down 46% from its October peak, and the largest holders continue to deposit to exchanges, presumably to sell, says CryptoQuant. However, this sell pressure is easing, and the recovering hashrate and new onchain security protocols raise the chance for a surge to $70,000.

In fact, Bitcoin bears are at risk of $600 million liquidation, which could trigger a rally to $70,000. Despite weak US economic data, the improving fundamentals of the Bitcoin network are providing a bullish backdrop for the price.

Meanwhile, institutional investors are taking notice of the growing potential of blockchain-based financial infrastructure. Venture capital is raising millions for companies building tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and other blockchain-based financial products. This trend is expected to continue, despite the current downturn in the cryptocurrency market.

However, not all is well in the cryptocurrency space. Dutch authorities have called on Polymarket arm to cease activities, alleging that the prediction market's Dutch arm, Adventure One, offered illegal bets, including on elections in the Netherlands.

Despite these challenges, the cryptocurrency market is showing signs of resilience. The slide in cryptocurrency prices has not deterred investors, who continue to pour money into blockchain-based infrastructure. Tokenized RWAs, in particular, are drawing capital, as investors seek to diversify their portfolios and gain exposure to new asset classes.

The shift in sentiment in the Bitcoin market is a significant development, as it reflects a growing maturity in the market. As retail optimism fades, institutional investors are taking a more nuanced view of the market, focusing on the underlying fundamentals rather than speculation.

In conclusion, the Bitcoin market is undergoing a significant shift in sentiment, with retail optimism fading and institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picking up. While the price may be due for a rally to $70,000, the long-term trend is clear: blockchain-based financial infrastructure is here to stay, and investors are taking notice.

Sources:

  • Santiment: Bitcoin $150K price calls are ‘drying up,’ which is healthy: Santiment
  • CryptoQuant: Bitcoin Sell Pressure Is Easing, But Whales Keep Dumping on Exchanges
  • Cointelegraph: Bitcoin bears at risk of $600M liquidation, raising chance for rally to $70K
  • Cointelegraph: Dutch authorities call on Polymarket arm to cease activities
  • Cointelegraph: Crypto slides, but tokenized RWAs and VC push ahead

The Bitcoin market is experiencing a significant shift in sentiment, with retail optimism fading and institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picking up. According to Santiment, a cryptocurrency analytics firm, Bitcoin "retail optimism is fading," which may be a healthy indicator as sentiment returns to neutral territory.

This shift in sentiment is reflected in the price, which has been under pressure in recent weeks. Bitcoin is down 46% from its October peak, and the largest holders continue to deposit to exchanges, presumably to sell, says CryptoQuant. However, this sell pressure is easing, and the recovering hashrate and new onchain security protocols raise the chance for a surge to $70,000.

In fact, Bitcoin bears are at risk of $600 million liquidation, which could trigger a rally to $70,000. Despite weak US economic data, the improving fundamentals of the Bitcoin network are providing a bullish backdrop for the price.

Meanwhile, institutional investors are taking notice of the growing potential of blockchain-based financial infrastructure. Venture capital is raising millions for companies building tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and other blockchain-based financial products. This trend is expected to continue, despite the current downturn in the cryptocurrency market.

However, not all is well in the cryptocurrency space. Dutch authorities have called on Polymarket arm to cease activities, alleging that the prediction market's Dutch arm, Adventure One, offered illegal bets, including on elections in the Netherlands.

Despite these challenges, the cryptocurrency market is showing signs of resilience. The slide in cryptocurrency prices has not deterred investors, who continue to pour money into blockchain-based infrastructure. Tokenized RWAs, in particular, are drawing capital, as investors seek to diversify their portfolios and gain exposure to new asset classes.

The shift in sentiment in the Bitcoin market is a significant development, as it reflects a growing maturity in the market. As retail optimism fades, institutional investors are taking a more nuanced view of the market, focusing on the underlying fundamentals rather than speculation.

In conclusion, the Bitcoin market is undergoing a significant shift in sentiment, with retail optimism fading and institutional investment in blockchain infrastructure picking up. While the price may be due for a rally to $70,000, the long-term trend is clear: blockchain-based financial infrastructure is here to stay, and investors are taking notice.

Sources:

  • Santiment: Bitcoin $150K price calls are ‘drying up,’ which is healthy: Santiment
  • CryptoQuant: Bitcoin Sell Pressure Is Easing, But Whales Keep Dumping on Exchanges
  • Cointelegraph: Bitcoin bears at risk of $600M liquidation, raising chance for rally to $70K
  • Cointelegraph: Dutch authorities call on Polymarket arm to cease activities
  • Cointelegraph: Crypto slides, but tokenized RWAs and VC push ahead

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