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Btc weekly rsi hits covid crash levels: key insights

BTC Weekly RSI Hits COVID Crash Levels | Whales Buy While Retail Sells

By

Javier Morales

Feb 18, 2026, 11:48 PM

3 minutes needed to read

Chart showing Bitcoin's weekly RSI dropping to low levels similar to the COVID crash, with key resistance and support levels marked.

Bitcoin's weekly RSI has dropped to between 24 and 33, a range historically associated with significant market bottoms. This level last appeared during the March 2020 crash and the late 2022 FTX debacle. While this data spotlights potential buying opportunities, the overall market sentiment remains skeptical, especially considering differing macroeconomic conditions.

What Does This Mean for Bitcoin Holders?

With the current RSI drawing parallels to two previous downturns that marked major lows, the situation prompts critical questions about potential price movements. While some analysts remain cautious, historical trends suggest that buying at these RSI levels tends to yield decent returns.

Interestingly, during this recent downturn, institutional investors, also known as whales, have accumulated approximately 70,000 BTC as retail investors have opted for panic selling. This shift in buying patterns indicates a divergence in market strategy, with institutions appearing more confident about Bitcoin's future.

"Those whale buys are interesting too; retail panic selling into institutional accumulation again," one person noted, reflecting a mixed sentiment as retail investors seem to capitulate.

support and Resistance Levels

Traders are keeping a close eye on several price points:

  • $65,000: Key support level; failure to hold could lead to a test of $60,000.

  • $70,000: First resistance point; breaking through this could signal an upward trend.

  • Major resistance: Crucial Fibonacci level that traders will monitor closely.

Some traders are cautiously dollar-cost averaging their purchases, emphasizing a risk-averse approach. One trader cited, "DCA is probably the right move here; leverage would be insane with this kind of uncertainty."

Looking Ahead: The Macro Picture Matters

Despite the notable price drops, the macroeconomic context remains uncertain. Opinions diverge among investors, with many weighing the odds of a further decline against potential recovery.

"My personal speculation about the odds it can drop to $50,000 is roughly 50%," shared another trader.

The question lingers: Are people accumulating at these levels or waiting for lower prices? As retail sentiment sits mostly negative, institutional momentum could shift the prevailing narrative.

Key Observations

  • ⚑ 70% of recent comments indicate historical RSI levels provide good buying opportunities.

  • πŸ“‰ 70K BTC purchased by whales while retail sells off signals a potential trend reversal.

  • πŸ’¬ "DCA is probably the right move here," reflects caution amid market volatility.

With uncertainty in the air, investors are watching closely. Will the RSI trend lead to another market bottom, or is the situation different this time? Only time will tell.

What Lies Ahead for Bitcoin?

There’s a strong chance Bitcoin could see a price rebound if the RSI continues to show signs of recovery, with experts estimating about a 60% probability of hitting the $70,000 resistance level soon. This could be driven by the existing institutional momentum, as well as a potential shift in retail sentiment if buying opportunities materialize. If the whales continue to accumulate while retail investors sell, we might even witness a sudden surge depending on macroeconomic factors, particularly as market participants scrutinize interest rates and inflation.

A Unique Echo from History

In a surprising twist of fate, the current situation draws an unexpected parallel with the 1918 influenza pandemic's impact on various sectors. Just as certain industries took a hit while others unexpectedly flourished, Bitcoin's divergence in buying patterns mirrors that dynamic. Institutional investors are behaving like those eager to adapt and seize opportunities in the face of uncertainty, much like supply chains rapidly transformed post-pandemic. It signals that even in chaotic times, some players can spot promising prospects where others only see doom.