Crypto’s Bleeding Like 2022 (This week in crypto summary February 28)IntroductionCrypto Crashes: Bitcoin Down 18% in a Week!Panic Peaks: Media Says “

Introduction

Buckle up, crypto fans—the market’s taking a wild ride, and the latest "This Week in Crypto" livestream from Santiment is here to unpack it all. Hosted by Brian and Maxim this February 28, 2025, session dives into a brutal market crash, whale maneuvers, and data-driven clues for what’s next. With Bitcoin down 18% in a week and sentiment at its lowest in a year, their expert takes—powered by Santiment’s cutting-edge tools—offer a lifeline for traders. From panic signals to potential bottoms, here’s what they revealed, and why it matters.

Crypto Crashes: Bitcoin Down 18% in a Week!

Brian kicked things off with a grim snapshot: Bitcoin’s plunged 18% in the past week, slipping to $78,000 before a weak bounce to $82,000. Ethereum’s at $2,162, and XRP’s taken a 23% hit, landing at $2.11. This isn’t just a dip—it’s a universal bloodbath, with 98% of assets in the red. The hosts frame it as a throwback to 2022’s chaos, setting the stage for a deep dive into what’s driving the carnage and where it might lead.

Panic Peaks: Media Says “Bitcoin’s Done”

When mainstream media screams “Bitcoin’s bull run is over,” Brian sees opportunity. He notes this doom-and-gloom chatter—paired with retail panic—often marks market bottoms. “These are the kinds of things that form bottoms,” he says, pointing to how negative headlines spark fear, driving small traders to sell while whales wait in the wings. It’s a classic setup: panic today, rebound tomorrow?

Crypto Leads: A Stock Market Sneak Peek?

Maxim highlights crypto’s edge as a market frontrunner. “Crypto is first to move because it’s easier to move,” he explains, citing its smaller size and lighter regulation compared to stocks. With Bitcoin’s swings often foreshadowing broader economic shifts—like U.S. tariff talks—this volatility could be a crystal ball for savvy investors watching macro trends.

Whale Alert: Chainlink Trades Jump 32%

Even as prices crater, whales are pouncing. Brian flags a 32% surge in Chainlink whale transactions (over $100,000) on Polygon, alongside activity in Mantle, Lido Staked Ethereum, and Worldcoin. These big players are dip-buying, hinting at confidence in select altcoins. It’s a reminder: while retail flees, the smart money’s stacking coins.

Contrarian Edge: Sentiment Tools Unveiled

Brian unveils Santiment’s sentiment tools, showing how social media buzz can signal trades. He shares four examples where extreme bullishness or bearishness marked turning points. Right now? “We’re in extreme flood range,” he says, with negative comments drowning out the positive—a contrarian’s dream for spotting a bounce.

Fear Hits Max: Lowest Sentiment in a Year

The numbers don’t lie: Bitcoin’s positive-to-negative comment ratio is the lowest in 12 months. Maxim notes even “buy the dip” chatter has faded, replaced by grim forecasts of $70,000 or lower. Brian adds, “Yesterday and today are the lowest ratios of positive commentary”—a historic fear spike that’s fueled past recoveries.

Funding Twist: Why Shorts Aren’t Surging

Surprisingly, traders aren’t piling into shorts. Brian checks funding rates on Binance and beyond, finding them neutral despite the crash. Open interest has tanked—down from $33 billion to $22 billion for Bitcoin—suggesting liquidations have already hit. Maxim wonders if fear’s keeping traders sidelined, delaying a clear bottom signal.

Buzz Shift: “Tariffs” Overtake “Buy the Dip”

Social trends reveal a narrative shift. Brian notes “buy the dip” has faded, while “tariffs” tied to U.S. policy now dominate chatter. Since February 24th, as prices slid, traders have blamed tariffs for the dump. Whether true or not, Brian says, “What matters is crypto traders believe it”—a sentiment driving sell-offs.

70-75K Fear: The Bounce Trigger?

When Bitcoin bottomed at $78,400, mentions of $70,000-$75,000 spiked. Brian calls this a “good sign” of peak fear, noting it coincided with a rebound seven hours ago. Historically, when traders spam lower price predictions—like $65,000 next—it’s often the moment prices turn. Is this the spark?

Whale Play: 755 BTC Snagged Post-Dump

Whales dumped 7,000 BTC from February 19-26th, then scooped up 755 in the last 24 hours. Brian sees this as tentative accumulation, noting six months of steady whale stacking despite the dip. Maxim agrees it’s a confidence signal—big players are holding firm while retail dumps 1.1% of their stash.

Exchange Clue: Bitcoin Supply Climbs

As prices fall, Bitcoin’s flooding exchanges. Brian charts a rare supply spike, saying, “People were moving coins to sell.” Maxim adds this could mean more pain ahead unless it reverses. With retail exiting (67,500 fewer non-empty wallets), it’s a tense watch for the next move.

Bottom Signals: KOLs, Debt, and “BTC is Dead”

Maxim’s hunting for the bottom: bearish calls from Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), DeFi debt repayments, and phrases like “BTC is dead” trending. Brian spots the latter ticking up—small now, but a proven rally trigger in the past. With MVRV at -10.2% short-term and near zero long-term, risk’s at a three-month low.

Conclusion

From an 18% Bitcoin plunge to whale dip-buying and sentiment hitting rock bottom, Brian and Maxim’s February 28th livestream is a masterclass in decoding crypto chaos. Santiment’s data-driven lens—tracking social buzz, whale moves, and on-chain shifts—turns noise into strategy. Key takeaways? Fear’s peaking, whales are lurking, and $70,000 chatter might just signal a bounce.

Want to stay ahead? Catch the , explore Santiment’s tools, and keep your eyes on the charts—crypto’s next move is brewing.