Crypto Market Update – February 18, 2026
Welcome to today’s GhostTerminal crypto market brief. We’re focusing on five popular tokens: XRP (Ripple), XLM (Stellar), HBAR (Hedera Hashgraph), FLR (Flare Networks), and XDC (XDCE Crowd Sale). We’ll also provide a quick look at Bitcoin and Ethereum to help you understand the broader market context.
Token Prices & 24-Hour Changes
- XRP (Ripple): $1.42, down 4.26% in the last 24 hours.
- XLM (Stellar): $0.1616, down 3.17% in the last 24 hours.
- HBAR (Hedera Hashgraph): $0.0990, down 2.90% in the last 24 hours.
- FLR (Flare Networks): $0.00941, down 3.12% in the last 24 hours.
- XDC (XDCE Crowd Sale): $0.0364, down 1.64% in the last 24 hours.
All five tokens showed modest declines today, influenced mainly by broader market reactions to recent news around U.S. interest rates and tech sector performance.
Why the Price Moves?
Bitcoin dipped slightly below $66,400, with a 24-hour drop of about 2%. This movement is tied to the recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve minutes suggesting a possible interest rate hike. Higher interest rates can make traditional investments more attractive, slightly reducing demand for cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum also saw a 2.87% decline to around $1,941.58, reflecting similar market pressures but remains supported by ongoing developments in smart contract security, including OpenAI’s recent launch of EVMbench — a tool aiming to improve the safety of Ethereum’s smart contracts through AI testing.
Tokens like XRP, XLM, HBAR, FLR, and XDC are often influenced by Bitcoin’s price trends and broader market sentiment. XRP and XLM, known for fast and low-cost payments, saw sharper declines possibly due to profit-taking after recent gains. HBAR and FLR, which focus on blockchain scalability and interoperability, continue to build long-term value despite short-term dips. XDC’s relatively smaller decline reflects steady interest in blockchain solutions for enterprise finance.
Analysis & Price Outlook for the Next 48 Hours
Given the current market environment, we expect these tokens to experience some volatility but remain supported by strong fundamentals:
- XRP & XLM: Both have strong use cases in cross-border payments and partnerships that could limit further downside. Look for possible stabilization near current levels as investors wait for clearer signals from Fed policies.
- HBAR & FLR: Focused on blockchain infrastructure, these tokens may attract renewed interest if tech developments or partnerships are announced, potentially leading to moderate rebounds.
- XDC: With its niche in enterprise blockchain, XDC could see steady demand, especially if the broader market stabilizes.
Bitcoin and Ethereum will likely continue setting the tone. If the Fed signals a pause or a smaller rate hike than expected, crypto markets could bounce back quickly. Conversely, more aggressive hikes might prolong the cautious sentiment.
Quick Context on Bitcoin and Ethereum
Bitcoin remains the leading cryptocurrency with a market price just over $66,000. It serves as a bellwether for the entire crypto market. Ethereum, the second-largest crypto, is crucial for decentralized applications and smart contracts. Both face near-term pressure from macroeconomic factors but benefit from ongoing technological improvements and growing adoption.


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