Bitcoin’s $67k Leap: The Universe’s Secret Message!

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Markets

What to Know (If You’re Not Completely Lost in the Cosmic Web):

  • Bitcoin rebounded more than 5% to about $67,500, triggering a broad crypto relief rally. Major altcoins such ETH, SOL, DOGE, ADA and LINK bounced around 10%. (The universe’s way of saying, “Don’t worry, be happy.”)
  • The surge followed weeks of extreme bearish sentiment and crowded short positions, with over $307 million in leveraged bearish bets liquidated over the past 24 hours. (A veritable goldmine for those who bet against the market’s sanity.)
  • Crypto-related stocks rallied alongside digital assets, while a positive Coinbase Premium Index and the strongest U.S. spot bitcoin ETF inflows since early February signaled a tentative return of U.S. buyers and risk appetite. (Or, as economists call it, “a hopeful flicker of light in the dark void of financial despair.”)

Bitcoin bounced back to $67,500 during Wednesday’s U.S. morning session, gaining more than 5% over the past 24 hours as deeply bearish positioning across the crypto market began to unwind. (The market’s equivalent of a cosmic joke: “You thought this was over? Try again.”)

The move sparked a broader relief rally across altcoins. Ethereum‘s ether (ETH) surged 10%, reclaiming the $2,000 level for the first time in a week. Solana (SOL), , and Chainlink each advanced more than 10%, outperforming bitcoin and the broad-market benchmark CoinDesk 20 Index’s gains. (The altcoins, ever the underdogs, proving once again that even in chaos, there’s room for a little drama.)

Wednesday’s bounce follows a period of extremely negative sentiment across the market. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a popular sentiment gauge, has been hovering in Extreme Fear levels for most of February. (A barometer of existential dread, if you will.)

Perpetual futures funding rates – the periodic payments between long and short traders – had also turned negative multiple times over the past weeks. This means short sellers have been paying longs to maintain positions, a sign that bearish bets had become crowded. Such setups often leave markets vulnerable to sharp squeezes higher when prices begin to rise. (Like a game of musical chairs, but with money and no chairs.)

The rebound has liquidated over $307 million in leveraged bearish bets across crypto derivatives over the past 24 hours, CoinGlass data shows. Notably, bitcoin perpetual funding rates remain below neutral even amid the rally, suggesting the move isn’t being driven by aggressive leveraged speculation. (A rare moment of restraint in a market known for its wild antics.)

Crypto Stocks Gain (Or, Why the Universe Hates You)

Crypto-related equities also joined the advance. Stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) jumped 20% after an earnings beat, while Coinbase (COIN), bitcoin treasury firm Strategy (MSTR) and Galaxy (GLXY) gained 5%-6%. Bitcoin miners – increasingly tied to AI infrastructure themes – extended their rebound, with Bitfarms (BITF), Bitdeer (BTDR) and MARA Holdings (MARA) leading gains. (The stock market, ever the unpredictable companion, joined the party with a 20% surge. Or was it a 20% tantrum?)

Many crypto-linked stocks had built up sizable short interest from hedge funds, 10x Research’s Markus Thielen noted, leaving them primed for a sharp reversal. (A financial version of “You can’t handle the truth.”)

Improving risk appetite across traditional markets has given a favorable backdrop for the crypto bounce. The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 were 0.6% and 1.1% higher, respectively, in the early hours of trading. The software sector, embattled by AI fears, extended its gains, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) up by another 2% during the session. (The stock market, now a chaotic dance of hope and confusion.)

Early Signs of U.S. Buyers Returning (Or, “Why Are We Here?”)

For the first time in over 40 days, the Coinbase Premium Index has turned positive again. This index tracks the price difference between bitcoin on Coinbase, a major U.S. exchange, and the broader global market average. It is widely viewed as a gauge of U.S. capital flows, institutional participation, and overall market sentiment. (A mysterious phenomenon that has left economists scratching their heads.)

While the MSTR to IBIT ratio is up 12% year to date, indicating that Strategy has outperformed BlackRock’s ETF. This relative strength points to continued risk-on appetite, even as bitcoin has fallen 25% this year. (A testament to the market’s ability to confuse even its creators.)

In addition, the U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $257.7 million in inflows on Tuesday, the largest daily total since Feb. 6. (A flood of cash, or perhaps a deluge of desperation.)

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2026-02-25 18:51