BTC, ETH, DOGE price news: Bitcoin at $68,000 as majors see strongest bounce in weeks

CoinDesk

by Shaurya Malwa

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Bitcoin reached nearly $70,000 on Wednesday before retreating to around $68,300 in Thursday trading—a 5% swing from its highs. While this marked the strongest attempt to reclaim the $70,000 level since February's market crash, altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin outperformed significantly, with gains ranging from 6.9% to 10.8%. This divergence suggests a shift in investor sentiment, with traders turning to higher-risk assets as forced selling from the recent crash begins to subside. The movement appears linked to easing fears of continued selling pressure, with market maker Wintermute noting that cryptocurrencies are losing ground alongside tech stocks as capital flows into safer, tangible assets. Additionally, crypto finance platform Matrixport highlighted stagnation in stablecoin supply as a key hurdle for Bitcoin's recovery, while Glassnode predicts broader liquidity could return within six months. Despite the short-term bounce, risks remain. CryptoQuant data shows slowing selling on Binance, supporting the case for a temporary rebound. However, if Bitcoin breaks below $60,000, it could trigger a significant drop toward $50,000-$55,000 or even lower levels, depending on liquidation activity. Meanwhile, macroeconomic factors like concerns over an overheated AI economy and muted reactions to tech earnings reports continue to weigh on the broader market. The near-term outlook remains uncertain, with Bitcoin's failed breakout at $70,000 leaving its medium-term trend intact. Experts warn that while altcoins may offer higher returns in the short term, the crypto market's fragile macro backdrop could lead to further volatility. Investors should remain cautious as capital shifts and macroeconomic pressures continue to shape the market landscape.

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/26/2026