Bitcoin’s Open Interest Plummets 55% as Traders De-risk
Welcome to the Daily for February 18, 2026. ☕️
Hello Cointribe! 🚀
Crypto trailblazers, 🚀 it’s Wednesday, February 18, 2026—here’s a sharp rundown of the top crypto stories from the past 24 hours.
But first…
✍️ Cartoon of the day:
A quick look at the market…
🌡 Weather:
☀️ Sunny
24h crypto recap! ⏱
🔥 Polygon Surpasses Ethereum on Fees as Demand Accelerates
Polygon has overtaken Ethereum in transaction fee generation as network activity intensifies. The shift reflects rising user demand and increased on-chain transactions within the Polygon ecosystem. Lower costs and scalability improvements appear to be attracting developers and decentralized applications. Analysts observe that Ethereum maintains broader ecosystem depth, yet fee dynamics highlight changing competitive positioning. Market participants are evaluating whether this momentum signals a lasting redistribution of activity between major blockchain networks.
👉 Read the article
🐋 19,820 ETH Withdrawn From Exchanges as Whales
Nearly 19,820 ETH have been withdrawn from cryptocurrency exchanges, signaling significant accumulation by large holders. Such movements often indicate reduced short-term selling pressure as assets shift to private wallets. Analysts interpret the withdrawals as a potential sign of strategic positioning amid market volatility. Exchange outflows are closely monitored as indicators of investor sentiment and liquidity conditions. Market observers are assessing whether sustained accumulation could influence Ethereum’s price trajectory.
👉 Read the article
📈 RWAs Gain 13% Despite Broader Crypto Sell-Off
Real-world asset tokens recorded a 13% increase even as the broader cryptocurrency market experienced a sell-off. The divergence highlights investor interest in tokenized assets linked to tangible value. Analysts note that RWAs may benefit from diversification appeal during periods of heightened volatility. While major cryptocurrencies faced downward pressure, this segment showed relative resilience. Market participants are examining whether the performance reflects temporary rotation or sustained structural demand.
👉 Read the article
🚀 Metaplanet Revenue Surges 738% Fueled by Bitcoin Strategy
Metaplanet reported a 738% increase in revenue, attributing the surge largely to its Bitcoin-focused strategy. The company’s financial performance reflects gains tied to digital asset exposure and treasury positioning. Management emphasizes the role of Bitcoin accumulation in reshaping corporate results. The development underscores how crypto allocation can influence earnings profiles. Investors are examining the sustainability of this growth amid ongoing market volatility.
👉 Read the article
💸 Stablecoins Expand Into Salaries and Everyday Payments
Stablecoins are increasingly being used for salaries and daily transactions, according to a report from BVNK. The findings highlight growing adoption among businesses seeking faster settlements and reduced currency volatility. Companies operating across borders are turning to dollar-pegged digital assets to streamline payroll and supplier payments. The report also points to infrastructure improvements and regulatory developments supporting this shift. Observers are assessing how sustained usage could reshape traditional payment networks.
👉 Read the article
🚀 Crypto of the Day: Pump.fun (PUMP)
Our crypto for the day is Pump.fun (PUMP), which is up roughly 2% over the past 24 hours. The project recently updated its creator fee structure, introducing two options: a Creator Fee model and a Transaction Rebate model. Under the rebate structure, all creator fees are returned directly to traders. However, CTO tokens are not supported within that framework. This adjustment could influence participation dynamics as the market evaluates the incentives.
From a technical perspective, PUMP previously traded in a clear downtrend before stabilizing around $0.002110. That level acted as a base, where selling pressure began to fade. Since February 13, momentum has shifted, with price carving out higher lows and higher highs—a sign that buyers are gradually regaining control. The current price reflects modest bullish strength, though conviction remains measured.
Key Levels to Watch
Support stands at $0.002110, the foundation of the recent base
Resistance sits between $0.002300 and $0.002350
A break above $0.002300 could trigger stronger upside momentum
A drop below $0.002110 may revive downside pressure
What Comes Next?
The next decisive move depends on whether the price can clear $0.002300 with strength. A confirmed breakout would support bullish continuation and potentially attract fresh momentum. On the other hand, failure to hold $0.002110 could tilt sentiment back in favor of sellers.
If neither level gives way, consolidation may continue as the market builds energy for a larger move. For now, patience is key while traders monitor reactions around these pivotal zones.
📊 Real-time Performance (CMC)
💵 Current Price: $0.002169
📉 24h Change: 0.6%
💰 Market Capitalization: $767.98M
🏅 CoinMarketCap Rank: #64
🪙 Circulating Supply: 354B PUMP
📊 Trading Volume (24h): $129.73M
📉 Bitcoin’s Open Interest Plummets 55% as Traders De-risk
Bitcoin’s derivatives markets are undergoing a pronounced deleveraging phase, with open interest—the total value of outstanding futures and options contracts—falling by roughly 55% from all-time highs. This decline reflects a large number of traders closing leveraged positions, reducing exposure to risk amid heightened market uncertainty.
Rather than being driven purely by price alone, this contraction indicates that both retail and institutional participants are stepping back from aggressive bets, opting instead for lower-risk positioning. Such a rapid unwind often accompanies periods of reduced speculative activity and can contribute to slower, less volatile price action in the near term.
🔎 What the Data Shows
55% decline in open interest: Bitcoin’s open interest has fallen sharply from its October 2025 peak, marking one of the steepest drawdowns since April 2023.
Widespread position unwinding: Traders across exchanges are closing both long and short leveraged contracts, signalling a broad retreat from high-risk derivatives exposure.
Reduced speculative demand: The plunge reflects lower appetite for leverage, with funding rates turning negative and fewer new bets being placed.
Liquidity and sentiment shift: Lower open interest often coincides with reduced market liquidity and heightened caution, as traders await clearer macroeconomic direction.
🧠 What This Means for Bitcoin
A sharp drop in open interest generally signals a risk-off environment. With fewer leveraged positions open, the market’s potential for sudden violent moves—especially those amplified by liquidations—may diminish. This can lead to less wild price swings, as there are fewer speculative contracts to trigger cascading stops.
However, reduced leverage also means lower liquidity and participation, which could contribute to sideways price action until a new catalyst emerges. Traders and investors are currently watching for signals from macroeconomic data and policy decisions to help chart the next direction for Bitcoin.
In many historical cases, a large reduction in open interest has preceded phases of consolidation—sometimes setting the stage for healthier long-term trends once the speculative excess has been purged.
