Bitcoin Accumulation Surge Targets $80K Amid CME Gap: Analyst
Bitcoin accumulation addresses hit record demand, targeting $80K with CME gap as key driver.
On February 16, 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) recorded a significant demand spike from accumulation addresses, pushing short-term price targets to $80,000 as per analyst insights. Data from on-chain analytics platforms indicates a record-high inflow to these addresses over the past week, signaling strong investor confidence. This accumulation wave aligns with a notable CME futures gap, often a precursor to price jumps, according to market observers. For the latest updates on such trends, check Crypto News.
Price Action Details
Bitcoin is currently trading at $74,520, reflecting a 3.2% increase over the last 24 hours, a 9.7% rise over 7 days, and a 22.4% surge over the past 30 days, based on data from CoinGecko. Key support lies at $72,000, while resistance is pegged at $78,000, with a potential breakout eyeing the $80,000 mark. Trading volume has spiked to $38.5 billion in the last 24 hours, 18% above the 30-day average of $32.7 billion. This has boosted BTC’s market cap to $1.47 trillion, maintaining its dominance at 54.3% of the total crypto market.
Driving Factors
The primary driver behind this momentum is the unprecedented demand from Bitcoin accumulation addresses, which added 52,000 BTC worth approximately $3.9 billion in the past week, per Glassnode data. Whale activity also spiked, with transactions over $1 million increasing by 27% compared to the prior week, signaling institutional interest. A CME futures gap between $73,500 and $76,000, identified by analyst James Van Straten, is cited as a magnet for price action, with historical data showing 80% of such gaps close within 10 days. For deeper market insights, refer to CoinMarketCap.
Broader Market Context
Bitcoin’s performance outpaces Ethereum (ETH), which gained only 2.1% over 24 hours to trade at $2,620, while BTC’s 3.2% rise sets a stronger pace. Sector-wise, DeFi total value locked (TVL) stands at $92.3 billion, up 4.5% week-over-week per DefiLlama, though NFT trading volume dipped 8% to $1.2 billion in the same period. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 72, indicating ‘Greed’ territory, a shift from last week’s neutral 55. Analyst James Van Straten from CryptoSlate noted that sustained accumulation could push BTC past $80,000 by late February 2026, provided macroeconomic conditions remain stable, a view echoed in DeFi News.
Marcus is a smart contract security auditor who has reviewed over 200 protocols. He has contributed to Slither and other open-source security tools, and now focuses on educating developers about common vulnerabilities and secure coding practices. His security alerts have helped prevent millions in potential exploits.
