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Bitcoin Price Craters Near $60,000, Eyes Multi-Month Bottom

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Bitcoin Price Craters Near $60,000, Eyes Multi-Month Bottom

The bitcoin price extended its steep decline today after a multi-month long slide that erased more than half of its value from its October peak, with the bitcoin price now trading near $66,000 following a sharp sell-off that pushed prices toward $60,000.

Since roughly December 2025, the bitcoin price has followed a pretty straightforward downward trajectory, falling from levels above $100,000 into a volatile range that has kept traders focused on whether the market has reached a durable floor.

Bitcoin price dropped below the psychological mark of $70,000 on Feb. 5, triggering intense selling pressure across spot and derivatives markets. The decline has been driven by macroeconomic uncertainty, institutional derisking, and turbulence in technology stocks that often trade in tandem with crypto risk appetite. 

Since the sell-off, Bitcoin price has struggled to regain momentum, hovering around the $66,000 to $67,000 level while trading swings between $66,000 and $72,000 remain common.

K33: Bitcoin price may be at a ‘local bottom’

Research and brokerage firm K33 argued this week that the plunge toward $60,000 may have marked a local bottom, citing what it described as “capitulation-like conditions” across volume, funding rates, options skews, and exchange-traded fund flows.

K33 Head of Research Vetle Lunde pointed to a “vast list of extreme outliers” that accompanied the move, according to reporting from The Block. Trade volumes reached the 95th percentile, while funding rates collapsed to levels last seen during the March 2023 U.S. banking crisis. Options skews rose to readings previously associated with the most intense stress of the 2022 bear market.

Momentum indicators also entered rare territory. After persistent selling since Jan. 20, Bitcoin’s daily Relative Strength Index fell to 15.9, one of the most oversold readings since 2015. RSI measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes on a scale from 0 to 100, with values below 30 often viewed as oversold. 

Lunde noted that previous extremes in March 2020 and November 2018 coincided with major cycle lows.

Sentiment gauges reflected similar strain. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 6 during the sell-off, its second-lowest level on record, underscoring the depth of pessimism as Bitcoin price approached $60,000.

The price action came with what Lunde called “hyperactive trading.” Two-day spot volume reached $32 billion on Feb. 6, among the highest ever recorded. Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 marked back-to-back 95th percentile volume sessions, a pattern seen only once in the past five years during the FTX collapse. 

K33 said such outlier days often align with local price extremes, though consolidation and retests can follow.

Derivatives markets mirrored the stress. Daily annualized funding rates in Bitcoin perpetual swaps fell to -15.46% on Feb. 6, the lowest since March 2023, while the seven-day average annualized funding rate dropped to -3.5%, its weakest since September 2024. 

Options positioning moved into what Lunde described as “extreme defensive territory,” similar to periods surrounding the Luna collapse, the 3AC unwind, and the FTX failure.

ETF activity also surged. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) recorded its largest daily trading volume on Feb. 5, surpassing $10 billion with 284.4 million shares traded. The same day ranked as the fifth-largest daily outflow since spot Bitcoin ETFs launched, contributing to net weekly outflows of 13,670 BTC despite inflows later in the week.

Taken together, K33 said the breadth of volatility, volume, yields, skews, and ETF flows supports $60,000 as a high-probability bottom. The firm expects the Bitcoin price to enter a prolonged consolidation phase lasting weeks or months, likely between $60,000 and $75,000, with elevated odds of a retest of support but limited expectation of further downside.

Bitcoin billionaires are buying the dip

Some long-term industry figures have framed the downturn as an opportunity. Val Vavilov, co-founder of Bitfury and an early cryptocurrency adopter, said the latest market rout offered a chance to rebalance and add exposure. 

“For us, the fall in Bitcoin is an opportunity to rebalance our portfolio and purchase a certain amount of Bitcoin at a low price,” he said according to Bloomberg, while noting Bitcoin remains only one component of a broader strategy that now includes artificial intelligence data centers.

Technical analysts remain focused on key levels. After the rebound from $60,000, resistance sits near $71,800, with $74,500 representing a Fibonacci retracement level.

Further resistance stands near $79,000 and $84,000. 

On the downside, bulls are watching $65,650 and $63,000 as nearer-term support, while $60,000 remains the major floor above the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement at $57,800, according to Bitcoin Magazine Pro data. 

At the time of writing, the bitcoin price is $66,624.

Banks Get a New On-Ramp to Staking as Taurus Taps Blockdaemon

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Banks Get a New On-Ramp to Staking as Taurus Taps Blockdaemon

Taurus has partnered with U.S.-based crypto infrastructure provider Blockdaemon to integrate institutional staking services into its digital asset custody platform. The integration aims to expand regulated banks’ access to yield-generating activities on proof-of-stake networks.

Under the agreement, Blockdaemon’s staking infrastructure will be embedded into Taurus’ platform, allowing banking and institutional clients to stake digital assets while retaining custody through Taurus-PROTECT, the company’s regulated custody solution. The integration is designed to let institutions earn staking rewards without transferring control of client assets to third-party operators.

The move comes as traditional financial institutions show growing interest in onchain yield strategies, including staking, amid broader efforts to incorporate digital assets into regulated portfolios. While staking has long been dominated by crypto-native firms and centralized exchanges, banks and custodians have been more cautious, citing operational, compliance, and governance risks.

Taurus said the partnership would enable clients to stake digital assets and earn rewards across major proof-of-stake blockchains, while meeting internal controls and regulatory requirements. Blockdaemon was selected for its scale, security record, and adoption among institutional users, according to the companies.

“Our collaboration with Blockdaemon broadens the staking services available to our institutional clients, while maintaining the security and compliance standards they expect. It’s another step in making digital asset participation more accessible for banks and financial institutions,” Taurus CMO, Victor Busson, said in a statement shared with AlexaBlockchain.

Blockdaemon’s infrastructure is designed to support governance participation, high availability, and policy-driven operational controls—features that are increasingly viewed as essential for regulated firms entering staking markets. The company provides validator and staking services across multiple blockchain networks and works with exchanges, custodians, and asset managers.

“Institutional staking requires infrastructure engineered for high availability, robust security controls and governance,” said Andrew Vranjes, chief revenue officer at Blockdaemon. “Our integration with Taurus allows banks and regulated financial institutions to access Blockdaemon’s multi-network earn and staking services within a controlled custody environment, while maintaining operational resilience, policy enforcement, and full ownership of their assets.”

For banks, the ability to combine regulated custody with staking functionality addresses one of the main barriers to participation: the need to separate asset ownership from operational execution. By keeping assets within Taurus’ custody framework, institutions can maintain compliance oversight while outsourcing validator operations to a specialized provider.

The partnership also reflects broader competition among digital asset infrastructure firms to position themselves as gateways for traditional finance into blockchain-based markets. Custody providers, in particular, are seeking to expand beyond safekeeping services into areas such as staking, tokenization, and onchain settlement.

While regulatory treatment of staking continues to evolve across jurisdictions, demand from institutional investors has grown, driven by the search for yield and increased comfort with blockchain-based financial products. Taurus and Blockdaemon said their collaboration is intended to support that demand without compromising regulatory standards.

The companies did not disclose financial terms of the agreement or provide timelines for client adoption. However, both said the integration is already available to Taurus’ global banking and institutional customer base.

The article “Banks Get a New On-Ramp to Staking as Taurus Taps Blockdaemon” was first published on AlexaBlockchain. Read the complete article here: https://alexablockchain.com/banks-get-a-new-on-ramp-to-staking-as-taurus-taps-blockdaemon/

Read Also: Is X’s InfoFi crackdown a necessary fix for spam—or a reminder that crypto attention markets still run on centralized gatekeepers?

Disclaimer: The information provided on AlexaBlockchain is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Read complete disclaimer here.

Image Credits: Taurus, Shutterstock, Canva, Wiki Commons

Analyst Reveals The Best Time To Buy Bitcoin And The Best Time To Sell

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Analyst Reveals The Best Time To Buy Bitcoin And The Best Time To Sell

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Bitcoin’s long-term price structure may look chaotic on lower timeframes, but one crypto analyst believes it is following a more predictable pattern on larger timeframes.

In a recent post on X, analyst Tony outlined a macro cycle framework that he says has consistently defined the best windows to accumulate Bitcoin and the best periods to exit around cycle highs. His theory is based on historical bull and bear market durations stretching back to 2015, and he claims the current cycle is following that same pattern almost perfectly.

The 1,066-Day Bull And 365-Day Bear Pattern

According to Tony, Bitcoin’s market cycles have followed a remarkably consistent structure over the past decade. Each major bull market has lasted roughly 1,066 days, followed by a bear phase of about 365 days.

The first example he highlights runs from January 8, 2015, to December 17, 2017, a 1,066-day expansion that ended near the cycle peak. That was followed by a one-year decline into December 2018. The same pattern repeated from December 16, 2018, to November 10, 2021, another 1,066-day bull run, followed by a 365-day bear market into November 2022.

According to Tony, the current cycle is no different. The most recent bull market was dated from November 22, 2022, to October 6, 2025, right when Bitcoin reached a peak price of $126,080. Interestingly, this period once again totaled approximately 1,066 days.

Bitcoin
Source: Chart from Tony on X

Keeping this cycle of bull and bear periods in mind, the subsequent bear phase, he suggests, should run from October 7, 2025, to October 5, 2026, completing another 365-day correction. This means Bitcoin could continue to trade in corrections of lower highs and lower lows until early October 2026. However, the timing is not perfect to the exact day, and there can be a 10- to 20-day variance to the predicted date.

The chart attached to his post, shown below, divides these cycles into green expansion zones and red correction phases. Previous peaks around $69,000 in 2021 and $126,000 in 2025 are marked clearly, with the projection being a move to $40,000 and another return to $200,000 before the next red correction zone takes over.

Final Capitulation Could Still Be Ahead

In a separate post, Tony warned that the next major Bitcoin bottom may not yet be in place. The analyst projected further declines until Bitcoin enters into a strong support region between $40,000 and $50,000, with a potential bottom forming between mid-September and late November 2026. 

He contrasted two emotional extremes in the analysis: early buyers celebrating perceived bargains during a falling market and later participants paralyzed by fear as the price reaches deep support.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $66,950, sitting 47% below its October 2025 all-time high but still significantly above the $40,000-$50,000 identified as a potential final bottom zone. This projection means that Bitcoin could still fall further by 50% to 40% before it establishes a bottom.

Bitcoin
BTC trading at $66,900 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured Image from Pngtree, chart from Tradingview.com

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In unfamiliar market conditions, historical data-driven AI trading bots will falter

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In unfamiliar market conditions, historical data-driven AI trading bots will falter

Today’s AI trading bots are based on a limited amount of historical data which means totally unfamiliar market events like the 10/10 liquidations or even last week’s severe selloffs will leave agentic trading models short of the mark.

These historical data-driven AI models have never seen huge liquidations on a single day and would find this “very unfamiliar” said Bitget CEO Gracy Chen on a panel about agentic trading bots at Consensus Hong Kong 2026. As such human intervention is needed.

“As an exchange, we don’t plan to build our own LLM [large language model]. But trading bots are a big thing,” Chen said. “Current AI bots are a bit like an intern: faster, cheaper but needs a little supervision.”

However, further down the line this will be more like a “full employee,” and in 3-5 years AI can replace a lot of us, Chen said.

These are sentiments heard regularly in the algorithmic trading world when it comes to AI.

While complex LLM and machine learning trading technology is improving at a rapid clip, there are still plenty of people who think a human overlay is an essential part of the process – particularly in situations like the severe volatility that recently gripped crypto markets.

Joining Chen on the panel, Saad Naj, founder and CEO of agentic trading startup PiP World agreed the tech is in its infancy and that comes with risk. But he pointed out that 90% of day traders and retail players lose money.

“As humans we are too emotional. We can’t compete with AI solutions,” Naj said.

AI likely to think better, more strategically than humans in 2 years, SingularityNET CEO says

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AI likely to think better, more strategically than humans in 2 years, SingularityNET CEO says

Two years. That’s the amount of time human beings have before artificial intelligence becomes better thinkers and strategists than us, according to Ben Goertzel, CEO of SingularityNET, a decentralized AI marketplace.

While the artificial intelligence industry is currently focused on developing automated agents to improve market efficiency, Goertzel suggested that, for the time being, people remain the primary driver of high-level strategy. He noted that while his Quantium project can predict short-term bitcoin BTC$66,944.44 volatility with high accuracy, long-term strategic thinking remains a uniquely human domain, for now.

“The human brain is better at taking the imaginative leap to understand the unknown,” Goertzel said in an interview at Consensus Hong Kong. It won’t last, though. “We should enjoy it for a couple more years.”

Goertzel’s two-year countdown isn’t just an AI expert’s prediction: It’s a roadmap for the integration of SingularityNET’s decentralized AI with the broader blockchain ecosystem. As the distinction between human-driven and machine-driven markets blurs, Goertzel explained that the current bear cycle is merely a “stress test” for the infrastructure that will eventually host artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Goertzel said he’s noted a palpable shift in energy from speculative hype to technological utility. The prevailing mindset among the conference’s attendees has changed, he said. The focus has moved from the “depressing” fluctuations of exchange rates toward the sophisticated integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional financial systems.

To Goertzel, this indicates that the technology has reached a stage where it works reliably for complex, real-world applications.

Furthermore, he highlighted the explosive growth of decentralized AI projects at the event as a sign the industry is poised for a major convergence, where blockchain provides the necessary data sovereignty and security for the next generation of artificial intelligence.

BTC trades sharply lower on Wednesday, giving up large chunk of Friday gains

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BTC trades sharply lower on Wednesday, giving up large chunk of Friday gains

After crashing throughout the week, bitcoin BTC$66,443.42 bottomed late last Thursday at $60,000 before a mammoth Friday rally took the price nearly 20% higher to just shy of $72,000. That bounce, however, is looking more and more like the “dead cat” type.

In mid-morning U.S. trade, bitcoin is down sharply yet again, trading just below $66,000 and down more than 4% over the past 24 hours. Ether ETH$1,930.60 and solana SOL$79.72 are lower by closer to 5.5% and XRP XRP$1.3600 is down 3.5%.

Higher earlier in the session, U.S. stocks have returned to roughly flat on the day. Gold and silver are higher by 0.8% and 3.2%, respectively.

Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. government reported January job growth of 130,000, nearly doubling economist forecasts. The unemployment rate unexpectedly dipped to 4.3%.

That has interest rate traders quickly retreating on any expectations for imminent Federal Reserve rate cuts. They’re now pricing in just a 6% chance of a March easing and a 23% chance for an April rate cut, according to CME FedWatch. Prior to the report, the chances of a March move were 21%, and those of an April move were 52%.

Whether rate cuts would have pulled crypto out of its bear market is arguable. After all, this sharp downside action began in 2025 as the Fed eased monetary policy at three consecutive meetings.

Interest wanes

With so many other assets across the globe in bull markets as crypto continues to falter, it appears that investor interest in crypto is disappearing.

Coinglass on Wednesday reported that bitcoin perpetual futures open interest has fallen again and now stands 51% below its October 2025 peak, “signaling a significant retreat in trader conviction and leverage.”

“We’re seeing an ‘exit-crypto’ movement as investors grow tired,” one analyst told Bloomberg in a story about South Korean investors bailing on crypto as that country’s Kospi stock market index hits record highs.

Monthly trading volume on the Kospi was up 221% year-over-year last month, the story continued, while trading on crypto exchanges was down about 65%.

“This is a washout,” the analyst said. “Retail is exhausted and fleeing to the Kospi.”

Crypto stocks sharply lower across the board

There’s no green to be found across the entire crypto-related stock sector. Robinhood (HOOD) is lower by 12.5% after reporting a sharp decline in crypto trading revenue in the fourth quarter. That’s dragging on peer Coinbase (COIN), which is lower by 7% ahead of its earnings report scheduled for Thursday evening.

Leading bitcoin treasury firm Strategy (MSTR) is down 4.5% and ether treasury giant Bitmine Immersion (BMNR) is off 3.8%.

Circle Financial (CRCL) is lower by 4.7%, Galaxy Digital (GLXY) by 3.2% and Bullish (BLSH) by 5.3%.

Why Task-Specific Robots Are Winning in Modern Manufacturing

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Why Task-Specific Robots Are Winning in Modern Manufacturing

Many people assume automation success depends on advanced machines or large budgets. Most factory challenges come from labor gaps, uneven output, and missed timelines. These pressures push manufacturers to rethink how work gets done and why certain processes struggle under daily operating demands.

Production teams now face tighter efficiency targets and growing expectations for consistent results. Labor shortages and process variation leave little room for trial-based automation. Decisions shift toward clear goals, stable performance, and systems that support routine operations without constant intervention.

This article explores why task-specific robots gain preference, how they address defined production needs, and why focused automation suits modern manufacturing conditions.

How Automation Decisions Have Changed In Manufacturing

For a long time, automation felt like a race for stronger and smarter machines. Today, daily production pressure, labor gaps, and tighter timelines force manufacturers to pause and think more carefully about where automation truly helps.

Earlier Automation Evaluation Practices

Automation decisions once started with feature lists and technical capacity. Teams often chose systems that promised flexibility across many tasks. On the factory floor, these choices rarely matched daily routines. Small changes in the environment or process quickly exposed gaps between expectations and actual performance.

Capability Led Decisions And Their Limitations

When capability leads the decision, powerful systems often land on simple tasks. This creates frustration. Operators face systems that feel difficult to manage. Maintenance teams handle avoidable complexity. Instead of reducing effort, automation adds new layers of responsibility that slow production.

Shift Toward Use Case Alignment

Manufacturers now begin with the task itself. They ask where delays happen and where consistency matters most. Automation follows that clarity. This approach feels calmer and more predictable. Systems support the process instead of forcing teams to adapt around technology.

How Task-Specific Robots Fit Into Manufacturing Workflows

Task-specific robots feel familiar to manufacturing teams because they work within existing processes. They do not ask plants to rethink every step. Instead, they support established workflows and help teams maintain control, consistency, and daily production flow with less effort.

Core Traits Of Task Specific Robots

Task-specific robots focus on one clearly defined job within a controlled area. This focus removes unnecessary decision-making during operation. The robot repeats the same action under the same conditions, shift after shift. Teams know what to expect from the system, which lowers stress on operators and supervisors. A common misconception is that a limited scope reduces usefulness. In practice, this focus creates reliability. When the task stays consistent, performance stays consistent, and production flow remains predictable.

Value Of Clear Task Definition On The Factory Floor

Clear task definition removes guesswork from daily work. Operators understand where the robot starts and where human input begins. This clarity builds confidence instead of hesitation. Performance becomes easier to track because output follows a known pattern. 

This task-first approach is already visible in purpose-built automation systems like Jiko by Sorting Robotics, which focus on clearly defined production steps rather than broad, multi-use automation. By concentrating on one specific task, these robots provide predictable output, reduce human error, and fit seamlessly into existing manufacturing workflows.

General Purpose Automation In Daily Manufacturing Operations

General-purpose automation often looks attractive during planning because it promises flexibility. On the production floor, teams experience a different reality. Day-to-day operations demand stability, clarity, and predictable output, which exposes gaps between broad capability and actual process needs.

Over time, certain operational realities become clear on the production floor.

  • Wider flexibility increases setup effort for routine tasks
  • Frequent parameter changes affect consistency across shifts
  • Higher reliance on skilled staff for setup and oversight
  • Longer response time when issues appear during production
  • Greater effort is required to maintain stable performance
  • Misalignment between system capability and task simplicity
  • Technology itself works well, but placement decisions limit value

This perspective helps teams plan automation with clearer expectations and select solutions that match daily operational demands.

Task-Specific Robots And Operational Stability

Operational stability depends on systems that behave consistently under daily production conditions. When automation supports repeatable work instead of adding variation, teams gain better control over output, timing, and quality across shifts.

Predictable Performance In Repetitive Tasks

Task-specific robots handle the same action in the same way every time. This predictability helps teams trust the process. Operators know what output to expect, and supervisors can plan around steady results. Over time, this consistency reduces monitoring effort and supports a calmer, more controlled production environment.

Reduced Process Variation Over Time

When a robot stays limited to a defined task, fewer changes affect performance. Small variations that usually build up over time remain under control. Teams identify issues earlier because results stay within expected limits. This stability supports long term process control without adding complexity to daily operations.

Where Automation Supports Work Instead Of Disrupting It

Manufacturers often seek automation that adds value without disturbing established routines, allowing production to stay steady while improvements happen naturally.

Common Concerns Around Line Disruption

When automation enters an existing line, teams often think about layout changes, workflow interruptions, or possible downtime. These concerns come from experience, since even small changes can influence output. By planning carefully and keeping automation focused, change stays limited. Lines remain familiar, schedules stay protected, and operators feel more comfortable during adoption.

Why Focused Automation Aligns With Incremental Improvement

This is where focused automation offers reassurance. Because it respects current systems, it fits into processes that teams already understand. Automation can then grow step by step, guided by real production needs. As confidence builds, adjustments feel easier, risks stay low, and improvement continues without interrupting daily operations.

How Automation Decisions Move From Approval To Real Impact

Automation decisions usually begin at the approval stage, but real value appears only after deployment. When planning considers cost, rollout, and downstream effects together, automation feels manageable and delivers steady results across operations.

  • Approval decisions often depend on clear cost limits and defined risk boundaries
  • A smaller automation scope feels easier to justify and review internally
  • Focused automation allows teams to start with one proven task
  • Performance validation happens under real production conditions
  • Successful results support confident expansion to the next task
  • Gradual rollout keeps production schedules predictable
  • Predictable output improves material flow and transport planning

Make Smarter Automation Decisions For Modern Manufacturing

Smarter automation decisions begin with clarity around the task, the process, and the people involved. Task-specific robots reflect this practical shift by supporting stability and control. If production teams face inconsistency, growing operational complexity, or approval hurdles, task-specific automation often provides a clearer and more manageable direction.

 







Lombard to Launch Bitcoin Smart Accounts for Institutions

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Lombard to Launch Bitcoin Smart Accounts for Institutions

Lombard said it plans to launch Bitcoin Smart Accounts, designed to allow Bitcoin held in institutional custody to be used as onchain collateral without moving the asset or transferring control to a third party.

According to an announcement shared with Cointelegraph, following a launch this quarter, custodied Bitcoin will be recognized onchain through a receipt token, BTC.b, enabling institutions to access lending and liquidity venues while retaining legal ownership and existing custody arrangements.

Lombard said the framework targets asset managers, corporate treasuries and other institutional holders whose Bitcoin (BTC) remains idle in qualified custody. Pilots are underway with select institutional clients, though Lombard has not disclosed customer names or transaction volumes.

Bitcoin does not natively offer yield, a constraint that has kept vast amounts of the token idle compared to proof-of-stake networks. That dynamic is beginning to shift as a growing set of protocols seek to put custodied Bitcoin to work onchain.

Seeking to unstick Bitcoin

Lombard co-founder Jacob Phillips told Cointelegraph that decentralized exchanges now account for a meaningful share of crypto trading activity, with about half of lending and borrowing already taking place onchain. Phillips said:

But Bitcoin has been stuck. You’ve got roughly $1.4 trillion in BTC sitting idle, with only about $40 billion active in DeFi. Until now, if you wanted to put your Bitcoin to work onchain, you had to wrap it or move it into centralized services, which meant giving up the custody security institutional holders require. That’s the problem we’re solving.

Morpho will serve as the initial liquidity partner, with additional onchain protocols and custodian integrations expected over time.