Crypto markets remain under heavy pressure as risk appetite deteriorates further, with Bitcoin slipping back below the $74,000 level amid broad-based selling across majors and altcoins.
Key takeaways
Total crypto market capitalization has fallen to around $2.58 trillion, down more than 2% on the day
Bitcoin is trading near $74,000 after a sharp daily drop, extending weekly losses
Ethereum and major altcoins continue to underperform, reinforcing a risk-off environment
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains stuck in “extreme fear,” while RSI readings signal oversold conditions
The latest market data shows declining capitalization, deeply negative sentiment, and technical indicators flashing oversold conditions, underscoring the fragile state of the market.
Market pressure deepens as Bitcoin tests key support
Bitcoin is currently trading around $74,000 after failing to hold higher levels earlier in the week. On a daily timeframe, the price is down roughly 5% over the past 24 hours and more than 17% over the past seven days, according to the market overview. The sell-off has pushed Bitcoin toward a critical support zone that previously acted as a consolidation area during prior pullbacks.
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin’s Relative Strength Index has dropped to the low 20s on the daily chart, well into oversold territory. At the same time, the MACD remains deeply negative, with widening histogram bars suggesting bearish momentum is still dominant. Volume has picked up during the decline, indicating that selling pressure remains active rather than exhausted.
Ethereum has shown relative weakness, falling below $2,150 and posting losses approaching 7% on the day and nearly 29% on a weekly basis. Altcoins have followed suit, with Solana, XRP, and BNB all recording mid-to-high single-digit daily declines, reinforcing the lack of rotation into higher-risk assets.
Broader market indicators echo the caution. The Altcoin Season Index remains subdued, signaling continued Bitcoin dominance despite its own weakness. Meanwhile, the average crypto RSI sits in oversold territory, hinting that downside momentum may be maturing, but without confirmation of a sustained rebound.
Until sentiment stabilizes and Bitcoin decisively reclaims key technical levels, the market is likely to remain volatile and headline-sensitive. Any near-term bounce may be corrective in nature, with traders watching closely for signs of either capitulation or a shift back toward risk-taking behavior.
Polymarket Odds Signal Growing Regulatory Momentum
The sharp move in Polymarket odds underscores a growing belief that U.S. crypto market structure legislation is gaining real momentum. According to the prediction platform, the probability that Bitcoin and broader crypto market structure rules will be signed into law this year has surged above 70%, reflecting shifting expectations among traders and political observers alike.
JUST IN: The odds that Bitcoin and crypto market structure legislation gets signed into law this year surge to over 70% — Polymarket ?? ? pic.twitter.com/O3od4teKcl
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) February 4, 2026
This optimism follows a series of regulatory signals, including more constructive rhetoric from lawmakers and regulators, as well as increasing engagement between policymakers, traditional financial institutions, and crypto industry leaders. If passed, comprehensive market structure legislation could clarify jurisdictional boundaries, reduce enforcement-driven uncertainty, and create a clearer path for institutional adoption. While near-term price action remains sensitive to macro and liquidity conditions, the rise in Polymarket odds suggests that regulatory clarity – long seen as a major overhang – may finally be moving closer to reality.
