"News Updates February 26, 2024"

1. Bitcoin Explodes to New 26-Month High of Over $53,500, Leaving Almost $200M in Liquidations. The price of the largest cryptocurrency by market cap took a sudden liftoff and shot up by more than two and a half grand in minutes to a new 26-month peak of over $53,500.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The altcoins have also turned green, with ETH soaring even further above $3,100 and BNB nearing and briefly surpassing $400 for the first time since May 2022.<\/p>\n

CryptoPotato reported earlier that BTC’s price had stalled as the asset was unable to overcome $52,000 during the weekend despite a few attempts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As such, Bitcoin had declined to $51,000, and it seemed like the consolidation around that level would continue.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

However, that wasn’t the case. The bulls took charge of the market minutes ago and initiated a massive leg-up that resulted in BTC soaring by nearly three grand.<\/p>\n

Consequently, the cryptocurrency jumped to $53,750 (on Bitstamp) for the first time since December 2021.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Despite losing some ground since then, BTC still trades above $53,000, and its market cap has exploded to $1.050 trillion.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Many altcoins have turned green as well. Ethereum, which soared past $3,100 earlier today, is now trading above $3,150 following a 3.5% daily increase.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Binance Coin briefly surpassed $400 to chart a new multi-year peak as well. MATIC, NEAR, XMR, and INJ are up by more than 5% on a daily scale.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This volatility has resulted in pain for over-leveraged traders as the 24-hour value of all wrecked positions has gone to $172 million, according to CoinGecko. Naturally, the majority of them come from short positions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>"