The cryptocurrency markets surged on February 25, 2026, adding $150 billion to the total market cap in a dramatic reversal from recent losses. Bitcoin jumped over 6% to $68,000, while Ethereum soared 10% past $2,000. Analysts pointed to aggressive whale buying, and the rally triggered nearly $400 million in liquidations, predominantly from short positions.
Cryptocurrency markets reversed sharply on February 25, 2026, with the total market capitalization gaining $150 billion in just over a day. This surge marks a significant directional change from the recent price pressure experienced across digital assets.
Bitcoin skyrocketed by more than $5,000 from its low of $62,500 the previous day. The asset reached $68,000, a level not seen since the weekend’s uncertainty sparked by U.S. tariff regime developments.
Data shared by analyst CW shows explosive buying, according to the BTC CVD indicator. “The $BTC CVD indicator shows explosive buying. Buying from whales is exploding. However, buying from retail investors (the orange group) is nothing,” they stated on Twitter.
Altcoins posted even more impressive gains, led by Ethereum‘s 10% daily rise above $2,000. Recent analysis from Ali Martinez indicates ETH has either already bottomed or is very close to doing so.
XRP jumped 7% to above $1.45, reclaiming the key $1.36 support level. SOL led larger-cap altcoins with a 12% pump, while DOGE, FIL, DOT, MORPHO, APT, and UNI all rocketed by over 20% daily.
The rally triggered substantial market liquidations worth nearly $400 million in a single day. Short positions accounted for the lion’s share, with BTC and ETH shorts representing almost $300 million of the total.
More than 100,000 traders were liquidated during the move. The single-largest liquidation order, worth $11.32 million, took place on the Hyperliquid exchange.
