As of February 28, 2026, Bitcoin price today is trading near $65,000 ($65,030), dipping toward the $63,000 zone amid heightened geopolitical risk and risk‑off sentiment. XRP is also weaker — sliding in recent sessions — but its on‑chain fundamentals and macro correlations are less direct and more nuanced than Bitcoin’s movement.
Why This Matters Right Now
This isn’t random volatility — what we’re seeing in BTC, XRP, and the broader crypto market reflects real macro shocks and investor psychology shifting dramatically:
- Geopolitical escalation, particularly tensions in the Middle East, has triggered risk‑off positioning across global markets — not just crypto.
- Institutional flows into Bitcoin ETFs are ebbing, reducing a key source of bid support.
- Macro data (inflation and interest rate expectations) is recalibrating risk assets broadly.
Together, these factors are pushing Bitcoin toward critical support levels and weighing on altcoins like XRP.
Bitcoin Price Today — Latest Market Levels
As of today:
- 📉 Bitcoin Price (BTC): ~$65,000 — down sharply this week as markets move from risk‑on to risk‑off.
- ☠️ Recent sentiment indicators show fear dominating markets, with broader crypto cap shrinking and volume spiking amid panic trading.
- Technical levels that matter right now:
- Support: $60,000–$63,000 zone
- Resistance: ~$68,000–$70,000 range
Why the sell‑off is real: Bitcoin’s swift move lower isn’t isolated — it aligns with flows out of risk assets (equities, high‑beta tech) and into traditional safe havens like gold. This shift has been exacerbated by market participants reassessing global growth prospects based on geopolitical headlines.
What’s Driving the Drop? (Underlying Factors)
1. Geopolitical Risk Has Increased
Over the past 48 hours, Bitcoin has reacted sharply to geopolitical developments — notably, military movements and broader Middle East tension headlines — with a 3%–5% swing as markets repriced risk assets.
These events matter because:
- Bitcoin trades 24/7 — unlike stocks — making it highly sensitive to real‑time news flow.
- Risk‑off trading behavior leads to liquidations of leveraged BTC positions, compounding price falls.
This kind of dynamic is already visible in markets beyond crypto, where yield curves and currency flows have been responding to geopolitical events.
2. Macro Backdrop Is Turning Less Supportive
Investors are now wondering whether:
- Expected interest rate cuts might be delayed or reduced.
- Safe‑haven assets (gold, USD) will outperform risk assets.
- ETF inflows into Bitcoin will slow or reverse.
Such macro uncertainty historically pressures high‑beta assets — crypto included.
XRP Price Reaction: Less Dramatic, But Still Weak
Unlike Bitcoin, XRP does not move solely with macro risk sentiment — its trends are influenced both by broader crypto markets and by native network metrics and on‑chain demand. Here’s the current snapshot:
- 📉 XRP Price: Slipping lower, trading down from recent levels — generally around the $1.30–$1.40 zone.
- Its move isn’t as steep as Bitcoin’s, but it is still in the red, reflecting wider crypto market pressure.
- On‑chain activity (tokenized assets on the XRP Ledger) is increasing — suggesting investor interest in utility even during price weakness.
Technically:
- Short‑term support sits near ~$1.35
- Resistance is around ~$1.45–$1.50
- Long‑term forecasts remain mixed, with some models suggesting consolidation or slight rebound but not a decisive breakout yet.
Bitcoin vs. XRP — Why the Paths Diverge
It’s tempting to group BTC and XRP together, but historically they behave differently under stress:
Bitcoin:
- Price moves with macro risk policies and institutional flows.
- Often leads sentiment across crypto markets.
- ETF flows and macro headlines disproportionately impact BTC’s valuation.
XRP:
- More influenced by network‑specific events (legal status, on‑chain adoption, regulatory shifts).
- Still tied to crypto market cycles, but not always in lockstep with Bitcoin’s volatility.
So when macro shocks hit, BTC often leads down, while XRP may lag or react with nuance, depending on network activity and capital flows.
Key Levels to Watch (for Traders and Investors)
For Bitcoin Price Today
- Critical Support: $60,000 – $63,000 zone
- Near‑Term Resistance: ~$68,000 – $70,000
- Macro Signal: Sustained ETF outflows + risk‑off sentiment = weaker BTC
For XRP Price
- Support: ~$1.35
- Upper resistance: ~$1.45 – $1.50
- Neutral zone: Between $1.36 and $1.45 — sideways momentum likely short‑term
Expert Market Interpretation (Not Trading Advice)
From conversations with veteran market participants this week, here’s the key economic takeaway:
When Bitcoin drops sharply on political risk, it’s not just crypto traders selling — institutional risk desks adjust exposures across asset classes. That waters down liquidity, and Bitcoin’s 24/7 market feels it first.
— A senior risk strategist at a major global hedge fund
That kind of environment doesn’t favor conviction buying yet. Instead, markets trend toward caution until a clear macro data point or geopolitical resolution provides a catalyst for stability.
What to Watch Next (Over Coming Days)
- Geopolitical Headlines: Any de‑escalation or new escalation = big impact.
- Macro Data (Inflation / Jobs / Rate Expectations): A surprise warming or cooling can change risk pricing fast.
- Crypto Flows: ETF net flows in/out — a key indicator of institutional risk appetite.
- On‑Chain Metrics for XRP: Increased tokenized asset demand may signal internal strength.
(Editorial Insight)
Bitcoin price today is meaningful not just for traders, but as a real‑time measure of market psychology. A move toward $63K under macro and geopolitical stress underscores crypto’s maturing correlation with global financial markets — for better and worse.
Meanwhile, XRP’s softer reaction reflects its hybrid nature: tied to general risk sentiment and unique network drivers that sometimes insulate it from short bursts of broader panic.
Investors and watchers should be alert — volatility isn’t going away, and the interplay between macro forces and crypto liquidity will continue to shape price action well into early March.
Conclusion:
Bitcoin’s descent to near‑$63K is a real market event, driven by cross‑asset risk repricing and headline risk. XRP’s price moves in sympathy but shows a more muted response due to its unique fundamentals. Understanding this differentiation — and tracking macro signals alongside on‑chain dynamics — will remain critical for positioning as we move deeper into 2026.
