BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP extend losses as AI scare trade unsettles risk markets

CoinDesk

by Shaurya Malwa

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP are experiencing significant losses as market sentiment deteriorates due to growing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) disruption. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has struggled to break above its current price range, with technical indicators signaling a bearish outlook. After failing to reclaim higher ground above $70,000, Bitcoin dropped to around $62,900, down 2.1% on the day and 7.5% for the week. This extended decline has kept the market within a narrow range of $60,000 to $70,000 since February 5, creating uncertainty about whether this is a temporary holding pattern or a sign of long-term bearish momentum. The broader crypto market is also under pressure, with altcoins faring even worse than Bitcoin. Ethereum, for instance, dropped 8% over the week, while Solana fell 11.3%, XRP declined 10.8%, and Dogecoin lost nearly 10%. This underperformance reflects a shrinking risk appetite among investors, who are increasingly favoring safety over speculative assets. CryptoQuant data highlights elevated sell-side pressure across altcoins, suggesting holders are distributing their assets into a market with limited buyer interest outside of the largest cryptocurrencies. The AI scare trade has amplified these selling pressures by creating broader macroeconomic concerns. fears of widespread economic disruption from AI adoption in sectors like delivery, payments, and software have led to a risk-off

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/24/2026