Crypto markets fell again on Monday. The total value of all cryptocurrencies dropped about 4% in the morning, wiping out the gains many investors had earned over the weekend.
Bitcoin, the largest and best known digital money, fell by more than $3,000 in about an hour. It moved from around $67,600 to just under $65,000. By the time this was written, it was still around $65,000. Ether, the second-biggest cryptocurrency, also dropped and hit about $1,860, a price not seen since February 6. Other smaller coins, often called altcoins, also lost value. Some, like Solana and Cardano, fell a bit more than others.
These moves happened as important political and economic news came out. President Donald Trump announced a 15% global tariff. A tariff is a tax that a country charges on goods brought in from other countries. The idea is to raise the price of foreign products so people buy more from their own country. The Supreme Court had said on Friday that these tariffs were beyond the president’s authority, but the tariff was still put in place. This created a lot of concern about how trade policy could affect the global economy and the prices people pay for goods.
In addition, tensions between the United States and Iran remain high. This makes energy markets, including oil, more uncertain because any news about conflicts can affect supply and prices. The Kobeissi Letter, a financial analysis published for readers, noted that these tensions add to market nervousness and can push prices up or down quickly depending on new information.
To help readers understand what to watch this week, here are the main events planned for February 23 to February 27. Markets are already trying to digest the new tariffs and the ongoing Middle East tensions, and crypto markets have fallen about 4% on Monday morning.
- Markets react to Trump’s 15% global tariff – Monday
- February consumer confidence data – Tuesday
- Nvidia, a big computer chip company, reports earnings – Wednesday
- Initial jobless claims data – Thursday
- January producer price index (PPI) inflation data – Friday
- Federal Reserve updates and related economic data – during the week
Wednesday’s Nvidia earnings could also shake up the AI sector if demand for the company’s chips turns out weaker than expected. Nvidia is well known for making graphics processing units (GPUs) that help with computer graphics and artificial intelligence tasks. If investors worry about lower demand, other stocks and related technologies could move as well.
For crypto traders, the weekly moves matter because big price swings can change risk and opportunity in many markets. The whole crypto market is still very sensitive to news about economy, inflation, and government policy. A 4% drop in a single morning is not unusual in this area, but it does remind traders to be careful and think about their plans for buying or selling.
How the numbers look this week matters for many people. The market cap, or total value of all cryptocurrencies combined, is one way to measure how big the market is. A drop in market cap suggests traders are selling more than they are buying. When prices move a lot, people worry about how much their holdings are worth in real money, and some may decide to sell to protect their profits or limit losses.
People who invest in crypto often watch other numbers as well. For example, oil prices can be influenced by geopolitics (political events around the world). When tensions rise, oil prices can go higher, which can push inflation higher and change how people spend money. That, in turn, can affect the prices of risky assets like cryptocurrencies.
Overall, the situation in February 2026 shows a combination of political decisions (tariffs), geopolitical tensions (US-Iran), and the continuing evolution of a fast-moving market (cryptocurrencies). Each of these elements can influence how investors behave in the short term, and meaningfully impact prices over days and weeks.
Now let’s look at a few simple definitions to help readers who are new to these topics. These are explained in very basic terms and include links to more information if you want to learn more.
Glossary for beginners
- Bitcoin: The first decentralized cryptocurrency. It is a digital money that lets people send payments online without banks. It runs on a network called a blockchain and is created through a process called mining. Learn more
- Tariff: A tax placed on imports by a country. Tariffs can raise the price of foreign goods and influence trade. They are often used to protect domestic industries. Learn more
- Nvidia: A technology company that makes graphics processing units (GPUs) and other computer hardware used in games and artificial intelligence. Learn more
- Consumer confidence: A measure of how hopeful or worried people are about the economy and their own financial situation. When confidence is high, people tend to spend more. Learn more
- Producer price index (PPI): A measure that tracks changes in prices that producers receive for their goods. It helps gauge inflation at the wholesale level. Learn more
Note: The numbers and events mentioned here are based on a snapshot from the time this article was written. Financial markets can change quickly, so readers should check the latest information if they need up-to-date details.
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