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FX & Crypto Insights – Institutional thought leadership

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18 February 2026
Looking beyond the short-term noise
 
 
LMAX Digital performance
 
 

LMAX Digital volumes were subdued on Tuesday amid exceptionally tight trading ranges. Total notional volume came in at $230 million, 38% below 30-day average volume.

Bitcoin volume printed $121 million, 40% below 30-day average volume. Ether volume came in at $45 million, 46% below 30-day average volume.

Looking at average position size over the past 30 days, we’re seeing average bitcoin position size at $7,239 and average position size for ether at $2,772.

Volatility has been in cool down mode since peaking earlier this month. We’re looking at average daily ranges in bitcoin and ether of $3,570 and $145 respectively.

 
Latest industry news
 
 

The crypto market has been shellshocked by bearish price action over the past several months, with this downturn arguably more difficult to rationalize than prior cycles given the resilience of underlying fundamentals.

Institutional adoption, ongoing development across Layer-1 and Layer-2 ecosystems, and continued integration into traditional finance have all remained intact, even as prices have retraced sharply.

This disconnect has left the market in a state of indecision, where participants recognize the longer-term value proposition but remain hesitant to aggressively re-enter without confirmation that a durable bottom has been established.

From a sentiment perspective, conditions remain fragile, with the crypto fear and greed index recently dipping into extreme fear territory.

Historically, such readings have served as reliable contrarian indicators, often aligning with late-stage selloffs and the formation of longer-term bottoms.

At the same time, the absence of a clear catalyst has contributed to declining volatility and narrow trading ranges, reinforcing the sense that the market is in a transitional phase.

This type of consolidation after heavy liquidation is often a necessary precursor to the next sustained directional move.

Macro developments and traditional market dynamics continue to play an influential role in shaping crypto price action. Bitcoin remains highly sensitive to shifts in global liquidity expectations, interest rate outlooks, and equity market performance, particularly in U.S. technology stocks.

Recent stabilization in global risk sentiment and a moderation in bond yield volatility have helped remove some of the immediate downside pressure on crypto assets, while geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty continue to limit aggressive risk-taking across asset classes.

Looking ahead, while near-term risks cannot be dismissed and uncertainty persists around whether a definitive bottom is already in place, the broader outlook is becoming increasingly constructive.

Crypto markets have historically demonstrated an ability to recover from deep drawdowns and go on to establish new record highs, and current valuations appear increasingly compelling from a medium- to long-term perspective.

As macro conditions gradually stabilize and confidence begins to rebuild, the foundation is being laid for renewed accumulation, with the balance of risks shifting toward the potential for a meaningful recovery phase rather than an extended continuation of the recent downtrend.

 
 
LMAX Digital metrics
Price performance
last 30 days avg. vs USD (%)
Total volumes
last 30 days ($bn)
BTCUSD volumes
last 30 days ($bn)
BTCUSD avg. trade size
last 30 days ($k)
ETHUSD avg. trade size
last 30 days ($k)
Average daily range
BTCUSD
$3,570
ETHUSD
$145
Tweets Social media

@Cointelegraph
Ethereum’s proof-of-stake contract address now holds over 50% of total ETH supply for the first time in its 11-year history.

@Cointelegraph
Crypto venture firm Dragonfly has closed a $650 million fourth fund despite a sharp slowdown in blockchain VC activity.

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