Bitcoin Touches $66,000 as Stock‑Market Gains Fuel a Possible Rally
By [Your Name] – CoinCrypt Daily
February 25 2026
Summary
- Price action: Bitcoin surged past the $66 k mark on Wednesday, echoing the rebound seen in U.S. equities on Tuesday.
- Market signals: The Coinbase‑Binance premium turned positive for the first time since mid‑January, while spot‑ETF products attracted roughly $258 million of net inflows.
- Correlation dynamics: BTC’s statistical link to the S&P 500 has slipped to 0.32, its weakest since the tumult of late‑2022, and the relationship with gold is now –0.45. Analysts view the current divergence as a temporary phase that could set the stage for a sizable upside.
Bitcoin climbs in step with the equity market
After a modest uptick in the Nasdaq (≈ +1 %) and a solid performance from the S&P 500 (+0.7 %) on Tuesday, Bitcoin rallied on Wednesday, breaking the $66 k barrier. The move followed a broader risk‑asset recovery that lifted tech‑heavy indices and provided fresh momentum for crypto traders.
Crypto‑related equities also posted gains: Coinbase’s shares rose just over 1 % and MicroStrategy ticked up 0.7 %. The coordinated advance suggests that investors who had trimmed exposure to volatile assets are now re‑entering the market, buoyed by the improved risk sentiment.
A positive premium and fresh ETF money
The Coinbase Premium Index—a metric that measures the price spread between Bitcoin on Coinbase and its counterpart on Binance—flipped to a modest positive reading. This is the first time the spread has been above zero since the January 15th window, indicating that U.S. buyers are beginning to outweigh overseas sellers.
Coinbase analyst “Nic” noted on X that a sustained positive premium would be a prerequisite for continued buying pressure from American investors.
At the same time, spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) recorded $258 million in net inflows on Tuesday, reinforcing the view that institutional capital is beginning to flow back into the digital‑asset ecosystem.
Correlation with stocks and gold at historic lows
Since the latter half of 2025, Bitcoin’s day‑to‑day price movements have drifted away from the traditional equity and precious‑metal benchmarks. Current data shows:
| Asset | Daily Correlation with BTC |
|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 0.32 |
| Gold | –0.45 |
The decoupling is the weakest observed since the FTX fallout in 2022. Santiment, an on‑chain analytics firm, highlighted that between August 2025 and now, gold has appreciated more than 50 % while the S&P 500 has gained roughly 7 %, with Bitcoin down about 43 % over the same period.
Santiment’s analysts argue that such sharp separations are usually temporary. “When an asset that historically tracks equities breaks away dramatically, it typically reconverges later, which could translate into a notable upside for both Bitcoin and altcoins,” they wrote on X.
Expert opinions on the divergence
-
Darius Sit, QCP Capital: The “Bitcoin vs. gold” narrative is often misinterpreted as a price contest, whereas liquidity and market structure are the real drivers. He stresses that the current spread reflects leveraged position unwinds rather than a fundamental flaw in Bitcoin’s long‑term story. “Bitcoin continues to act as a long‑term inflation hedge and an increasingly legible form of collateral,” Sit said in a recent briefing.
- Adoption momentum: Recent data compiled by Cointelegraph shows that institutional, corporate, and sovereign adoption of Bitcoin accelerated throughout 2025, suggesting that the asset is maturing beyond pure speculation.
What the rally could mean for the near term
- Potential for further upside – If Bitcoin re‑establishes its historic correlation with equities during an expansionary phase, the price could climb well above the current $66 k level.
- Sustained premium as a buying signal – A continued positive Coinbase premium would indicate that U.S. demand remains robust, likely supporting price stability.
- ETF inflows as a liquidity catalyst – Fresh capital into spot Bitcoin ETFs adds a layer of institutional depth, reducing the market’s reliance on retail speculation alone.
Conversely, any reversal in equity markets or renewed regulatory pressure could quickly erode the gains, given Bitcoin’s still‑elevated sensitivity to broader risk sentiment.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin broke $66 k, mirroring the rebound in U.S. stocks, notably the tech‑focused Nasdaq.
- The Coinbase‑Binance premium turned positive, signaling renewed U.S. buying interest.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $258 million in net inflows, underscoring institutional re‑engagement.
- Correlation with the S&P 500 (0.32) and gold (‑0.45) is at its weakest since 2022, a pattern analysts believe often precedes a reconvergence and upside.
- Market veterans emphasize that liquidity dynamics, not merely price spreads, will dictate the sustainability of the rally.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All trading carries risk; readers should conduct independent research before making any financial decisions.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-price-climbs-3-percent-gold-divergence-significant-upside?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
