Trading the Markets LIVE: February 18, 2026 | Kris Bullock and Bijan Maleki
Trading the Markets LIVE: February 18, 2026 | Kris Bullock and Bijan Maleki
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

The short-term outlook for Bitcoin (BTC) is bearish, so consider selling into strength and waiting for a better buying opportunity in Q2 or Q3. For investors seeking stability within the crypto ecosystem, PAX Gold (PAXG) is presented as a very strong buy to hedge against market volatility. The AI narrative remains a dominant theme, creating opportunities in supporting infrastructure companies that act as the "picks and shovels" of the industry. For more speculative traders, the crypto project Hyperliquid is considered a good buy at its current support level due to its unique on-chain commodity futures trading. Lastly, the high-risk meme coin SPX6900 is showing bullish signals, as large "whale" wallets have been consistently accumulating the token on recent dips.

Detailed Analysis

US Stock Market (Macro View)

  • The NASDAQ index recently bounced off its 200-day moving average, a key technical support level it has tested multiple times in recent months. The main question is whether this bounce is sustainable or just a temporary "dead cat bounce" before another move lower.
  • Several indicators suggest a growing appetite for risk among investors, supporting the case for a more sustainable rally:
    • High Beta vs. Low Volatility Stocks: More money is flowing into higher-risk (high beta) stocks, which is a positive sign for the market.
    • Consumer Discretionary vs. Staples: Spending on non-essential goods (discretionary) is picking up relative to essential goods (staples), indicating consumers are more confident.
    • Sector Strength: The Financial sector is bouncing, and the hard-hit Tech and Software sectors appear to be stabilizing.
    • Credit Spreads: The difference in yield between high-risk and low-risk bonds remains tight, suggesting low perceived risk in the credit markets.
    • Market Breadth: The percentage of stocks in an upward trend is increasing, currently around 62-63%.

Takeaways

  • The overall sentiment is cautiously bullish. The recent market bounce appears to be supported by underlying signs of strength and increasing risk appetite.
  • A key indicator to watch is market breadth. If the percentage of stocks trending upwards can climb into the 70s, it would signal a very healthy, broad-based rally and increase confidence that the market will continue to move higher.

AI Sector

  • The Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector is experiencing extremely strong performance, with the speaker noting it feels like the crypto "alt season" is happening in AI stocks right now.
  • The rally is broad, including companies involved in hardware scarcity and other AI-adjacent industries. The speaker's watchlist showed "a lot of green and very little red" in this space.

Takeaways

  • The AI narrative is a dominant theme driving significant investment returns.
  • Investors should consider looking for opportunities not just in pure-play AI companies, but also in the supporting infrastructure, such as hardware and data center providers.

Rackspace Technology (RXT)

  • Rackspace Technology is an IT company that provides hardware infrastructure like server racks for data centers.
  • The company announced a partnership with AI giant Palantir.
  • Following the announcement, the stock surged 240% in a single day.

Takeaways

  • This is a clear example of the "AI hype" creating massive, rapid gains in related stocks.
  • Partnerships with major AI players like Palantir can act as a powerful, immediate catalyst for infrastructure and hardware companies. This highlights the "picks and shovels" investment strategy within the AI theme.

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • Bitcoin is currently trading with a very high correlation to the software sector, specifically the IGV (iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF). The speaker notes they are moving "neck and neck."
  • The short-term sentiment is bearish. The speaker believes that as long as Bitcoin is viewed as a "bastard stepchild of the software tech sector," it will likely continue to trend down.
  • A potential rally to "the 74 level" would be viewed as a selling or shorting opportunity, not a sign that the bull market is back.
  • A true market bottom for crypto is not expected until Q2 or Q3 of the year.
  • Key catalysts needed for a sustained crypto bull run include:
    • A new Fed chair implementing favorable liquidity policies.
    • Regulatory clarity, such as the passage of the "Clarity Act."

Takeaways

  • The short-term outlook for Bitcoin is negative. The speaker suggests a strategy of selling into strength rather than buying dips.
  • Patience is advised. A more significant buying opportunity is not expected for several months (Q2/Q3), and is dependent on positive macro and regulatory developments.

PAX Gold (PAXG) & Tokenized Gold

  • The speaker is very bullish on tokenized gold, calling PAX Gold (PAXG) a "really, really strong approach" for investors.
  • It serves as a way for crypto investors to stabilize their portfolios and hedge against volatility without moving their capital out of the crypto ecosystem.
  • The narrative is supported by strong fundamental growth:
    • On-chain gold trading volume in Q4 surpassed the combined volume of the top five traditional gold ETFs.
    • Major market maker Wintermute is launching an Over-the-Counter (OTC) desk for tokenized gold, which will significantly increase liquidity and accessibility for large investors.
    • The primary appeal is the ability to trade gold 24/7 on crypto rails, bypassing traditional market hours.

Takeaways

  • PAXG is presented as a compelling investment for those looking for a stable hedge within the crypto world.
  • The tokenized gold theme is a growing and viable sector, not just a niche idea. The increasing trading volume and institutional infrastructure being built around it suggest a durable trend.

Hyperliquid

  • Hyperliquid is a crypto project that has seen its price level off but is currently "holding support."
  • The speaker maintains that it is a "good buy."
  • The primary bullish case is its unique feature allowing users to trade commodity perpetual futures (perps) on-chain, with a specific mention of gold futures.

Takeaways

  • Hyperliquid is a speculative crypto investment whose value is tied to the growth of on-chain derivatives trading.
  • For investors bullish on the idea of trading traditional assets like commodities on decentralized platforms, its current position at a support level could represent a strategic entry point.

SPX (SPX6900 Meme Coin)

  • This refers to the meme coin SPX6900, not the S&P 500 index.
  • Like most crypto assets, it has seen a decline in the total number of holders.
  • However, a key on-chain metric is bullish: wallets holding 100,000+ tokens (whales) have been steadily buying the dip since February 4th.
  • This accumulation by large holders is seen as a "good sign" of conviction in the token.

Takeaways

  • While a high-risk meme coin, SPX6900 is seeing significant accumulation from large, well-capitalized investors ("whales").
  • This "whale buying" can be a strong bullish signal, suggesting that smart money believes the asset is undervalued. The token is expected to perform well when overall risk-on sentiment returns to the market.

Oil

  • The price of oil is surging due to significant geopolitical tensions.
  • Risk factors mentioned include:
    • Uncertainty around US-Iran nuclear talks and the potential for military conflict. Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil transport, is a major factor.
    • Ongoing geopolitical issues involving Venezuela.

Takeaways

  • Oil's price is extremely sensitive to geopolitical events. Investors in oil or energy stocks should be aware that tensions in the Middle East and Venezuela are the primary drivers of the current price surge and associated volatility.
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