Bitcoin is about to log its longest losing streak since 2022 as geopolitical nerves hit risk trades

Markets Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Bitcoin is about to log its longest losing streak since 2022 as geopolitical nerves hit risk trades Geopolitical tensions lift the U.S. dollar and crude prices, adding pressure to an already fragile crypto market. By James Van Straten | Edited by Sam Reynolds Feb 19, 2026, 5:44 a.m. Make us preferred on Google What to know : Escalating tensions in the Middle East have lifted both the U.S. dollar index and WTI crude, tightening financial conditions and pressuring risk assets. Bitcoin is on track to post its fifth consecutive weekly decline, a streak not seen since March to May 2022. Bitcoin is on course to print its fifth consecutive weekly loss, which would mark the first such streak since March to May 2022, when bitcoin went down for nine consecutive weeks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW Don't miss another story. Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today . See all newsletters Sign me up By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy . As of Thursday Asia time, the largest cryptocurrency by market cap is already down roughly 3% on the week, below $67,000, according to CoinDesk market data , and leaving it vulnerable to another weekly red close. Macro pressures are adding to the technical weakness. According to the Wall Street Journal , the U.S. has amassed its largest concentration of air power in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion. While Washington is reportedly prepared to launch strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump has not made a final decision, with Polymarket bettors giving a 27% chance of strikes occurring by the end of the month. The geopolitical uncertainty has lifted the dollar index to 97.7 , its highest level since Feb. 6, while WTI crude oil has climbed to $65 from Wednesday’s $62 low. A stronger dollar and rising oil prices typically weigh on risk assets, creating additional headwinds for bitcoin, reinforcing a negative weekly close. Bitcoin has declined by more than 50% from its October all-time high near $126,500 to levels as low as $60,000. On a monthly basis, bitcoin has recorded five straight declines since October, the second-longest losing streak on record, surpassed only by the six-month slide from 2018 to 2019. Against gold, bitcoin is down seven consecutive months relative to the precious metal, its longest stretch of underperformance in that pairing. Bitcoin News Glassnode U.S. Dollar More For You Zoomex: Precise Systems of Fairness and Transparency by Design By CoinDesk Jan 31, 2026 Commissioned by Zoomex Read full story More For You Coinbase lets XRP, ADA and dogecoin holders borrow up to $100,000 without selling By Shaurya Malwa | Edited by Sam Reynolds 36 minutes ago The exchange is widening access to its Morpho-powered lending product after a wave of liquidations earlier this month, giving holders of major retail tokens a way to borrow USDC without selling. What to know : Coinbase is expanding its U.S. crypto-backed lending service to include XRP, dogecoin, Cardano's ADA and litecoin, allowing more customers to borrow against their holdings without selling. The loans, capped at $100,000 in USDC and routed on-chain through the Morpho protocol, are available nationwide except in New York and use wrapped versions of some tokens as collateral. While marketed as a tax-efficient way to access liquidity, the product carries liquidation risk if collateral values drop and may trigger taxable events when assets are converted into wrapped tokens. Read full story Latest Crypto News Coinbase lets XRP, ADA and dogecoin holders borrow up to $100,000 without selling 36 minutes ago Bitcoin can bounce higher — but the market still lacks fuel for a real run 54 minutes ago Bitcoin shakes off U.S. session losses as Trump says U.S. trade deficit cut by 78% 1 hour ago WLFI surges 10% after Apex stablecoin deal, outperforming BTC and ETH 2 hours ago South Korea’s Hanwha makes a $13 million bet on ‘seedless’ crypto wallets 5 hours ago Real estate billionaire Barry Sternlicht is ready to tokenize assets, but says U.S. regulation blocks it 7 hours ago Top Stories What happens on prediction platforms can steer traditional markets, NYSE chief says 13 hours ago Goldman Sachs' David Solomon says he owns 'very little' bitcoin but watching it closely 13 hours ago Banking trade groups responsible for impasse on market structure bill, Brian Armstrong says 7 hours ago Ethereum’s 50% staking milestone triggers backlash over 'misleading' supply data 12 hours ago