Bitcoin Buyers Return After February Selloff – Is the Downtrend Losing Momentum?

Bitcoin surged past $76,000 on March 18, 2026, signaling a decisive return of buyers and a potential reversal of the previous month's downtrend. The flagship cryptocurrency's resilience amid geopolitical tensions and traditional market instability has analysts questioning whether the bearish momentum has finally been exhausted.

Buyer Activity Returns to Bitcoin Spot Markets

According to CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost, recent data from the Bitcoin Spot Net Volume Delta chart suggests that market dynamics are gradually shifting back in favor of buyers. The indicator, which tracks the difference between aggressive buying and selling volume in spot markets, shows that demand is slowly returning on major exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase.

While the change remains relatively modest, it represents a clear improvement compared to the market conditions observed in February, when selling pressure dominated both retail and institutional flows. At that time, the 30-day moving average volume delta was deeply negative, reaching approximately -$145 million on Binance and -$88 million on Coinbase. These readings indicated that most participants were actively selling, reinforcing the broader market weakness seen during that period.

More recently, however, the trend has begun to reverse. The same 30-day averages have now moved back into positive territory, with the delta standing around +$21 million on Binance and +$14 million on Coinbase. This shift suggests that buyers are gradually regaining influence within the spot market.

Even so, Darkfost notes that the signal still requires confirmation. Market liquidity remains relatively thin, meaning that sustained demand will be necessary to solidify the recovery.

If this buyer-driven dynamic continues to strengthen, it could eventually support a breakout from Bitcoin’s current consolidation range.

Bitcoin Tests Resistance After Sharp Recovery From February Lows

The weekly Bitcoin chart shows the asset recovering momentum after the sharp correction that unfolded earlier in 2026. BTC is currently trading around $73,700, following a strong rebound from the February lows near the $63,000–$65,000 region, where buyers stepped in and triggered a rapid recovery.

That decline represented one of the most significant pullbacks of the current cycle, briefly pushing price below key short-term moving averages and triggering a wave of liquidations. However, the market quickly stabilized as demand reappeared, allowing Bitcoin to reclaim the $70,000 level and test the $76,000 resistance zone during the latest weekly candle.

From a structural perspective, Bitcoin remains within a broader bullish market framework, as price continues to trade above the 200-week moving average, which historically acts as a long-term support level for the asset. At the same time, BTC is now approaching the 100-week moving average, a level that could act as dynamic resistance in the short term.

The $74,000–$76,000 range, therefore, represents a critical resistance area. A sustained breakout above this zone could open the door for a continuation toward the $85,000 and $93,000 levels, where previous consolidation and liquidity clusters exist.

If Bitcoin fails to break through resistance, the market may enter a consolidation phase between $70,000 and $76,000 as traders reassess momentum.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com