After one of the sharpest crypto selloffs in recent years, optimism is cautiously returning. Tom Lee said during a live appearance on CNBC that the early-February crash looks more like a cleansing event than a sign of deeper structural damage.
Key Takeaways
Tom Lee says the crypto recovery is already starting after February’s sharp deleveraging
The recent crash is viewed as a mechanical reset, not a breakdown in long-term fundamentals
Bitcoin rebounded quickly after dropping near $60,000, reinforcing historical recovery patterns
Lee described the recent turmoil as the kind of mechanical reset that has repeatedly appeared throughout crypto’s history. In his view, forced liquidations and excessive leverage amplified the move lower, but the underlying demand story remains intact.
Why the February Crash Doesn’t Worry Him
According to Lee, the crypto market has already survived multiple drawdowns exceeding 50% over the years. Each time, those collapses were followed by sharp rebounds once leverage was flushed out.
The drop to nearly $60,000 on February 5 fits that pattern, he argues. Rather than signaling the end of the cycle, Lee sees it as a necessary pressure release that allows the market to rebuild on healthier footing.
Bitcoin’s Path Toward Six Figures
Despite the recent volatility, Lee reiterated his long-term bullish outlook for Bitcoin. He continues to expect prices to reach the $200,000–$250,000 range by the end of 2026.
What’s different this time, in his view, is that the traditional four-year halving cycle may be losing influence. Instead, Lee believes Bitcoin is entering a longer institutional-driven phase, supported by spot ETFs, regulated access points, and deeper capital participation.
Market Signals Still Show Caution
Not everyone is convinced the danger has passed. Data from CoinMarketCap shows Bitcoin trading near $70,500 as of February 9, while sentiment indicators remain firmly in extreme fear territory.
Derivatives markets also reflect hesitation. Funding rates remain below zero, suggesting traders are still positioned defensively. According to Bloomberg, many participants are hedging against renewed downside even as prices stabilize.
What Could Fuel the Next Leg Higher
Lee believes this gap between price action and sentiment could become a bullish catalyst. He points to continued institutional adoption, steady ETF demand, and growing political acceptance of crypto in the U.S. as key tailwinds for the rest of the year.
On the macro side, he expects a shift toward Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 to support risk assets broadly. While some analysts note that Bitcoin briefly decoupled from gold during the crash, Lee sees that as evidence of crypto trading on its own liquidity dynamics rather than a sign of weakness.
For now, his takeaway is straightforward: the February selloff looks less like the start of a prolonged downturn and more like the kind of reset that has historically paved the way for fast and aggressive recoveries.
