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Bitcoin's ascent on wall street comes with consequences

Bitcoin's Institutional Hurdles | Wall Street Faces New Criticism

By

Davina Nguyen

Feb 19, 2026, 12:43 PM

Updated

Feb 21, 2026, 04:06 AM

2 minutes of reading

A stock market graph showing Bitcoin's price increase with Wall Street buildings in the background.
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A rising chorus of dissent surrounds Bitcoin as significant institutional investors reassess their strategies. Criticism has intensified, with many declaring that Bitcoin's promise as an inflation hedge is failing, fueling serious conversations about its sustainability.

Bitcoin’s Value in Question

The Bitcoin market is facing skepticism, particularly regarding the influence of retail trading on price stability. One commentator asserted, "If the price is being set by wash traders, there goes the integrity." This highlights growing concerns about the authenticity of trading practices.

Institutional Discontent Grows

Investors anticipated that Bitcoin would act as a secure buffer amid economic turbulence, but its recent downturn contradicts that expectation. A user remarked, "The institutional thesis broke," pointing out that Bitcoin's decline has outpaced that of equities, undermining its intended protective function.

Shift Towards Stability

With volatility on the rise, many institutional players are abandoning Bitcoin for steadier investments. Comments on forums reflect a mood of frustration:

  • β€œThose trading on momentum are moving into areas that actually show promise.”

  • β€œA lot of people who bought Bitcoin as a safety net found it to be just as volatile, if not worse than stocks,” lamented another user.

Interestingly, some say Wall Street has played a critical role in Bitcoin's previous spikes, with one commenter asserting, "Wall St is the reason BTC ever broke 10k. And Wall St. will be the reason BTC breaks 10k again." This suggests that institutional influence may still have future ramifications.

Impact of Trading Products

The recent boom in options and trading derivatives has raised questions about whether they're exacerbating Bitcoin's erratic shifts. Commenters vent concerns that the inflated prices for Bitcoin could lead many investors astray.

Noteworthy Insights

  • πŸ’₯ Institutional interest falters due to sustained market volatility

  • πŸ”„ Investors are leaning towards safer assets, leaving Bitcoin behind

  • πŸ“‰ "Trading products have skewed the market," warns a user

  • πŸ’Έ "Blackrock will happily take fees for letting you buy bitcoin," highlights a commentator, stressing potential pitfalls for investors.

What's Ahead for Bitcoin?

As unemployment rates soar and interest shifts towards technologically driven investments like AI, Bitcoin's future remains precarious. Experts project that if current trends endure, Bitcoin might plummet an additional 20% over the upcoming months. The slow pace of potential recovery could leave many investors wary amid the landscape of uncertainty.

A Parallel to Tech Stocks

Bitcoin's current turmoil resembles the tech stock bubble of the early 2000s, where many touted as revolutionary eventually faltered. Just as some tech firms adapted and thrived post-bubble, Bitcoin may only stabilize through time and by shedding excess volatility. Will it emerge as a resilient player in the market once the chaos subsides, or will it continue to struggle in a landscape dominated by traditional investments?