FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Global Crypto Market Sheds $410 Billion Amid Intensifying Downtrend
Boca Raton, FL — February 5, 2026 — The global cryptocurrency market has erased approximately $410 billion in value since the start of the year, as major digital assets face mounting macroeconomic pressure and weakening institutional demand. Total market capitalization has fallen from $2.97 trillion to $2.57 trillion, marking one of the sharpest early‑year contractions in recent cycles.
Major Assets Under Pressure
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP have all entered sustained downtrends:
- Bitcoin has declined roughly 14%, trading near $78,000.
- Ethereum has dropped 26% to approximately $2,300.
- XRP has fallen 16%, reflecting broad sector‑wide weakness.
The downturn follows a brief rally in early January and has since expanded across nearly all major tokens, signaling a decisive shift toward risk‑off sentiment.
Drivers Behind the Market Decline
Analysts attribute the selloff to a combination of macroeconomic and market‑specific factors:
- A hawkish Federal Reserve outlook following a new chair nomination has strengthened the U.S. dollar and pressured speculative assets.
- Accelerating outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in late January have reduced a key source of institutional demand.
- Liquidity constraints have amplified volatility, deepening the market’s downward trajectory.
February Outlook Remains Cautious
AI‑driven forecasting models anticipate a challenging month ahead:
- Bitcoin is expected to trade within a $75,000–$90,000 range, with some models warning of potential retests near $70,000.
- Ethereum may drift toward $2,100 amid continued downside pressure.
- XRP is projected to hover around $1.40, lacking clear directional catalysts.
Long‑Term Optimism from Bitwise
Despite near‑term turbulence, Bitwise Asset Management maintains a bullish long‑term outlook for Bitcoin:
- The firm forecasts a new all‑time high in 2026, driven by expanding institutional participation.
- Tens of billions in anticipated inflows through ETFs and brokerage platforms are expected to reshape market structure.
- Bitwise notes declining volatility and weakening correlation with U.S. equities, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role as a distinct portfolio asset.
- The firm suggests Bitcoin could approach $1 million within the next decade as adoption accelerates and halving cycles become less influential.






