It’s a classic “Whale vs. Retail” standoff. While the headlines focus on the drop from the BTC price range down from $78,000 to the current support around $65,000–$67,000, the behind-the-scenes data shows that institutions aren’t just watching—they’re shopping.
Here is what is actually happening with this “institutional dip-buying” trend in February 2026:
The “Smart Money” Accumulation
While retail sentiment is currently in “Extreme Fear” (with index readings hitting single digits), large-scale players are treating the $65,000 BTC price as a “generational entry point.”
- Binance SAFU Rebalancing: Binance recently injected roughly $300 million into its SAFU (Secure Asset Fund for Users) during the peak of this week’s panic, bringing its total Bitcoin reserves to over $720 million.
- The BlackRock Anchor: BlackRock’s IBIT ETF remains the “strongest hands” in the market. Even as the BTC price dipped 20%+ YTD, IBIT recorded net inflows (including $26.5 million on Feb 10th alone), signaling that institutional wealth managers are still using this as a strategic entry zone.
- Strategy (MicroStrategy): Despite an $8 billion+ unrealized loss on its massive stash (holding 713,502 BTC), Michael Saylor’s firm continues to buy. They recently added another 1,286 BTC at an average of roughly $90,000, and executive leadership has explicitly told investors, “Don’t panic—zoom out.”
Why is the BTC Price falling if they are buying?
It seems contradictory, but there are two main reasons for the persistent pressure:
- The “Basis Trade” Unwind: Many hedge funds weren’t “long” on Bitcoin; they were performing an arbitrage trade (buying spot/selling futures). As that trade became less profitable, they exited both positions, creating a “mechanical” sell-off that has nothing to do with Bitcoin’s long-term value.
- Leverage Flushes: Large clusters of liquidations around the $67,000 BTC price mark have acted like a gravity well, dragging the price down as over-leveraged retail traders are forced to sell.
Key Levels to Watch BTC Price Levels
Market analysts are currently split on whether this is the bottom:
| Level | Sentiment | Meaning |
| $71,000 | Bullish Reclaim | Needs to hold here to confirm the “dip” is over. |
| $65,000 | Critical Support | The current “floor” where institutional demand is highest. |
| $53,000 | Bearish Floor | If $65k fails, the “Realized Price” (average cost) of the network sits here. |
The Final Call
The current 2026 “crypto winter” lite is a stress test. Institutions are shifting Bitcoin from a speculative asset to a “Tier 1” collateral asset (supported by banks like Wells Fargo and BNY Mellon). For these players, a drop to a $65,000 BTC price isn’t a disaster; it’s a discount on a long-term balance sheet item.
Disclaimer: Crypto products & NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions.