Recent trends in the market are pointing towards a resurgence in the popularity of Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency. Prices have been fluctuating between $65,000 and $72,000, attracting attention from both major players and long-term investors. While some traders are actively participating in this range, others are adopting a more cautious approach.
Shift in Trading Volume
Data from exchanges indicates that Bitcoin’s share of trading volume has been on the rise, while many altcoins have experienced a decline. A recent snapshot revealed that Bitcoin accounted for approximately 37% of total trading volume, signaling a shift of market focus away from smaller tokens.
Although Ethereum still maintains a significant market share at around 28%, the combined share of altcoins has notably decreased from late last year, dropping from about 59% to approximately 35%. This movement reflects a return of capital to the more established asset, Bitcoin.
Altcoin Volumes Shrink by 50% as Capital Rotates Back to Bitcoin
“This pattern has appeared repeatedly during previous corrective phases, including April 2025, August 2024, and October 2022 near the end of the bear market.” – By @Darkfost_Coc
Link ⤵️https://t.co/B0ZFeiMukl pic.twitter.com/jVRTOkaTic
— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) February 18, 2026
Significance of the Price Range
The specified price range has attracted significant orders and institutional activity, with whales and long-term holders actively engaging in accumulation and sales. Some of these actions seem to be driven by profit-taking following substantial price increases.
Additionally, certain moves are defensive in nature, as traders seek the perceived safety of Bitcoin during times of market uncertainty. Liquidity tends to concentrate where it is anticipated, leading to potentially sharper price movements in one direction.
Insights from Market Caps and Dominance
Reports highlight a decrease in Bitcoin’s market cap from approximately $1.55 trillion to $1.34 trillion in recent weeks, while many altcoins experienced smaller declines in total market value. While changes in trading volume may not always align with market cap shifts, they do indicate a heightened focus on Bitcoin and faster price discovery for the asset.
Although dominance readings have slightly decreased over a short period, Bitcoin remains the most actively traded token on major platforms. Previous trends suggest a rotation of capital into Bitcoin during correction phases, aligning with the current market dynamics.
Reasons for Trader Attention
Traders are divided in their expectations, with some anticipating stability if Bitcoin maintains its current range, while others warn of potential pressure from concentrated orders in case of sentiment shifts. The movement away from altcoins may present challenges for selective buyers but reduces risk for those favoring Bitcoin as a market leader. Monitoring volume flows and order books will be crucial in the upcoming trading sessions.
Bitcoin’s Resurgence in the Market
Recent reports indicate that Bitcoin has once again emerged as the primary focus of crypto trading activities. Short-term market behavior hinges on whether buyers within the $65,000–$72,000 range continue to engage or if selling pressures escalate, prompting broader market movements.
Regardless of the outcome, the ongoing rotation away from altcoins is evident, prompting traders to reassess their trading strategies and preferences.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
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